Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
A protection-dog trainer says a dog can protect your family better than a gun.
Somewhere, a golden retriever just heard that claim and brought the burglar another toy.
That is roughly how Colion Noir opened his response to Mike Israeli, founder of Delta K9 Academy. During an appearance on the Insight With Emma podcast, Israeli argued that a properly trained dog provides something a firearm cannot: advance warning.
A dog may hear, smell or sense trouble before anyone inside the house knows something is wrong. That warning could give a family precious time to respond.
Israeli also claimed that 98 percent of gun owners do not know how to use their firearms. He dismissed ordinary range practice as inadequate preparation for an actual home invasion.
The clip provided no source for that 98 percent figure. It certainly makes for a lively podcast moment, though.
The Case for the Dog
Israeli trains serious working dogs, not Labradoodles that earned an obedience certificate at PetSmart.
A professionally trained protection dog can alert its owner, discourage an intruder and physically engage a threat. Its presence alone may convince a criminal to find an easier target.
That is a legitimate security advantage.
SEE ALSO: Colt Python Is Back: Should You Buy New or Vintage?
However, buying a protection dog does not automatically turn someone into John Wick with a leash. The owner and family also need training. The dog needs continued work, proper handling and clear boundaries.
Israeli has previously described a fully trained protection dog as being “like a weapon.” He also emphasized that owners must remain in control.
In other words, the training argument cuts both ways.
The Case for the Gun
Noir agrees that firearms owners should practice. Training can improve judgment, safe handling and confidence under stress.
He rejects the idea that someone needs an elite résumé before becoming capable of defending a home, however.
Most defensive gun owners are not former commandos. They are ordinary people who learned to operate their firearms safely and decided they would not be helpless during an emergency.
A dog might provide an earlier warning, but a firearm can address an immediate deadly threat. It also does not become substantially less useful when two or three intruders enter the house instead of one.
Dogs are brave and capable, but they are not bulletproof. They can also become confused, frightened or distracted during an unfamiliar confrontation.
Then there is Nash.
Nash Chose Hospitality
Nash is a golden retriever belonging to San Diego homeowner Dante Rowley. When an intruder used a ladder to enter Rowley’s house through an upstairs window, Nash did not attack.
He did not even bark.
Instead, the friendly retriever repeatedly approached the stranger with toys. The intruder helped himself to food, removed some clothing and apparently took a nap before police arrested him. Nash also greeted the responding officers with a toy.
Nash may not have a future in private security, but he appears fully qualified for hotel management.
Of course, comparing Nash with one of Israeli’s trained German shepherds is hardly fair. A family pet and a purpose-trained protection dog are two entirely different animals.
That distinction is also Noir’s point. Most Americans who own dogs do not own trained protection dogs. They own pets. Some will bark at anything passing the window. Others will apparently offer home invaders refreshments and a guided tour.
Why Choose Only One?
The strongest answer may also be the least dramatic: home security works best in layers.
A dog can provide noise, deterrence and early warning. Cameras and alarms can show what is happening. Strong doors, reliable locks and exterior lighting can make entry more difficult. A family plan can keep everyone from running blindly toward the disturbance.
A firearm can serve as the final defensive option if those other layers fail and someone faces an immediate threat.
None of these tools works automatically. A protection dog requires training. A firearm owner needs safe handling skills, secure storage and familiarity with local law. Families should also discuss where to go and whom to call during an emergency.
So, where do you land?
Would you rather trust a trained protection dog or a firearm when something goes wrong at 2 a.m.? Does the answer change if the dog is an ordinary family pet?
Or is Noir right that the best setup includes both, with a good alarm and a reinforced door thrown in for good measure?
Let us know what your home-defense lineup looks like. And be honest: Is your dog guarding the house, or waiting to see whether the burglar brought snacks?
*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! ***
Available on GunsAmerica Now
is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.