"Speak" Command question

Quick question on the "speak" command training.

With my last dog (shepard/husk) we had her trained to "speak" on the cue of "Watch 'im". This was because my lady worked late, and jogged even later. Living in the murder-capital of Canada, we didn't take any chances, except her jogs (which she wouldn't quit doing that late).

Therefore, I trained the dog to bark on that command, to give anyone out there something to think about... now my shep was very on-guard (being a shep and all), so though the dog wasn't a guard or attack dog at all, it always made us feel safer tricking people into thinking she was.

However, Staffys seem to like people way to much... would this training be unnecessary. I'm thinking that the dog would bark at the command, but then the "love me love me love me" act would kick in and would render the whole thing pointless.

Am I right, or would they keep their cool long enough for a deterent?

When I used to go out late at night with Bandit he'd watch for people automatically and if they came too close he would growl - softly at first, but it would get progressively louder until it was a proper snarl. Normally by then people would have crossed the road!

I also got him to 'speak' on command, though, just for effect. Let's face it, if a staffy (or other bull breed) is barking loudly, it really doesn't matter if its tail is wagging - you stay away!

I agree with Caryll. I have never encouraged my girls to be stand offish with people, it just isn't worth the risk, but they are very alert when I take them out at night and will growl at strange people if they try and approach me (tramps and the like). Staffords are very loyal and love people but they look after their pack aswell. I would think that naturally your new dog will protect your other half, especially if it feels her anxiety. Remember dogs pick up on body language and emotion much sooner than us.

I agree. The dog will protect your other half. Even though they are people dogs they are pack animals first. They will look after the pack.
However the pack won't protect your TV when it comes to staffs, infact it is said that they will help the burgular carry it out

BlueStaffBlue wrote:I agree. The dog will protect your other half. Even though they are people dogs they are pack animals first. They will look after the pack.
However the pack won't protect your TV when it comes to staffs, infact it is said that they will help the burgular carry it out

LMAO

Window cleaner just turned up and Blue was out in the garden at the time. Just heard him barking like mad. Looked out the kitchen window to Blue acting all hard and the window cleaner not even bothered. So I opened the back door to get him in and to tell him to shhhh. The second the back door opened Blue flew in
They like to act the hard man but run like a little school girl if given the chance

Thanks for the replies folks.

With the Shep, she was never encouraged to be stand-offish (she had to much power, and a pretty strong protect attituted enough), her bark was all of show. We did it because, without the "Speak" command with different words, there would be no warning, just lunging and snarling... she really hated strangers (early pre-rescue abuse issues we never worked out).

Good to know the staffy will stand their own...

seemingly until escape is an option! Ha... school girls...

Thanks again everyone.

I think they are all different thats what makes them unique