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.
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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?
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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.
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I have 2 Belgian Malinois and a hound who notice everything outside of the home, and are very vocal about it. Between them, cameras, a well lit perimeter, and 2 fairly trained and armed individuals in the home with a plan, I like our chances.
Yeah a dog might be good to inform you of intruder(s) but not as reliable source of protection. There is several bypasses of a dog potentially. I’m commenting this as my Belgian malinois is laying in her bed. The 9mm or 12 ga. are more likely to be more solid protection. A dog needs substantially more training, conditioning and follow-up training with the handler/ owner needing the same. Firearms training and skills are perishable as well but in general a firearm doesn’t age out also. A 90 year old firearm will likely perform as well as a 2 year old one. 🤔
A Malinois owner picking the 12 gauge says a lot. That’s where the article lands too. The dog is the alarm, the gun is the last layer. And you nailed the upkeep problem. A dog needs constant work with the handler and still gets old. A 90-year-old gun just needs you to show up.
A dog that will attack on its own will likely be killed. Yes, this does give you time to gear up but the dog is still dead. A trained dog will address the threat and retreat to find you and move on the threat as a pack.
my dog ain’t well trained it will either hide or get under foot, at least the barking will get me moving!
Great article! I’ve trained personal protection dogs and taught defensive pistol classes. It’s all about layering. Security systems, cameras, beefed up physical entry security, dogs, guns and training. The most important thing is to have a plan and rehearse various scenarios to remain calm and know what to do under that kind of stress!!!
Last year or so, there was a home invasion. The woman grabbed her kids, her phone, and her husband’s 5 revolver. When one of the invaders opened the closet door, she pointed and clicked 5 times. The guy didn’t drop right away, but he left. I’d call that a success.
And you don’t have to walk a revolver.
…shot…
My firearms have double duty…protect the home and the dogs.
No longer have a dog but the bonus is I don’t have to feed my Glock and clean up after it….wait. I guess I do. Now having said Glock and a big dog that barks and looks intimidating enough and no worry of a lawsuit when said dog bites innocent person would be the ticket!
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Dogs can be pepper sprayed, or shot the person that wrote this article does not have a clue.
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If someone gets by my rottweiler I’ll be ready with a firearm. More than likely my dog will turn the intruder into a chew toy.
My dog barks from time to time at seemingly nothing. My dogs answer to that. Am I barking at nothing, or is there nothing because he heard me bark?!
I don’t depend on my two miniature goldendoodles to defend my home (although the mama dog would probably try her son would just pee and scamper away) they are very effective at detecting disturbances outside. After enough time we’ve learned to distinguish the difference between barking at cats, dogs, deer, etc. and actual potential threats like coyotes. Because I somehow fall into Mr. Israeli’s 2% I do not get my firearm every time the dogs bark. I have, however, on occasion, gotten it when they respond a certain way.
I agree with the earlier posts that a properly trained dog is a very effective tool in the home defense arsenal, they do require a tremendous amount of training and work to keep their skills honed and effective. Meanwhile, my firearm only requires range time and cleaning which is both enjoyable and cathartic.
My only experience with such animals was while working with a U.S. SF group in Afghanistan in the mid 2000s.. For whatever reason the animal ceased performing it’s job halfway through the deployment. In fact it actually became aggressive with members of the group. The dog was eventually returned stateside for re-training. Additionally, I believe these animals are particularly expensive.
I’ve known of several “K-9” that have been problematic including attacking handlers. Two specific MWD come to mind that mauled several soldiers. Oddly enough one had been named after the other. Both were well known as overly aggressive when doing routine patrol work searching “drugs / explosives” task. The dogs preferred the attack more.
I believe both work well together. My first line of defense is my GSD, she is a fantastic watch dog and a very loved member of our family, which means she would be protected by her dad and Mr. GP100 just the same as would be any other member of the family. She lets me know of intruders maybe gives them something to think about if they choose wrong there is a problem.
98% don’t know how to use their firearms? I’d counter 98% aren’t capable of managing dogs like these that are high strung, unpredictable, need constant work, and should not be trusted around children. If you want an alarm dog, get a chihuahua.
Dogs aren’t an alternative to firearms rather than a supplement. Additionally, protection-trained dogs are virtually impossible to live with. I’ve been involved with the wild/pariah dogs only Mossad and IDF have balls to use as service dogs (mainly because they don’t have to care about collateral damage), and with a quarter of a century’s worth of experience they’re great as burglar alarms. As a force multiplier they’re utterly useless against anyone who isn’t completely inept. I’m not saying all of this Israeli-character’s claims are full of manure but a lot of them are so far detached from reality that it isn’t even funny anymore. Then again, he’s a dog trainer, and if you only have a hammer everything looks like a nail.
What asinine statements. I walked my dogs while armed. Not everyone can own a dog, let alone a trained dog security dog. Yes, security should be layered at every possible opportunity. A dog can lose the ability to hear and defend. I did NOT get rid of my dogs after they became old and offered less security. People are successfully defending their family, themselves and homes with firearms on a constant basis. Mike Israel has lost any presumption of credibility with me.
dogs are members of the family, would you send a family member unarmed to take care of the problem?
98%, right, more like 70% since most shoot for image and not for shtf.
Even the dog needs backup.