What Type of Training Does Your Dog Have? A Guide to Common Types

Filling out your Fortify Form after purchasing your Fortify Plan is crucial to getting personalized security recommendations, and one key detail you’ll need to provide is the type of training your dog has. Different types of dog training come with various behaviors and skills, and knowing how to categorize your dog’s training ensures that your Fortify Plan is tailored to your home’s specific needs. Whether your dog has no formal training or has undergone advanced obedience or protection training, this guide will help you identify the type of training your dog has.

1. No Training

If your dog has no training, they may exhibit behaviors like pulling on the leash, not following commands, or reacting unpredictably to stimuli. Untrained dogs can sometimes struggle with basic socialization and household manners, making it important to note this in your Fortify Form.

Untrained Dog Behavior:

  • Inconsistent responses to commands or no response at all.
  • Difficulty focusing or controlling excitement around people or other animals.
  • May exhibit behaviors like jumping on guests or barking excessively.

For your Fortify Form, selecting “no training” ensures your Fortify Plan considers the specific behaviors of an untrained dog and any safety or control measures needed for your home environment.

2. Basic Obedience Training

Basic obedience training focuses on essential commands like "sit," "stay," "come," and "down." This level of training provides a foundation of control, ensuring that your dog responds to basic instructions and behaves well around people and in various situations.

Basic Obedience Training Includes:

  • Basic dog commands like "sit," "stay," "come," and "heel."
  • Leash training for better control during walks.
  • Manners training, including not jumping on people or begging for food.

Dogs with basic obedience training generally have better impulse control and are easier to manage in public or when guests come to the house. Indicate this level of training in your Fortify Form to ensure that your security plan accounts for a well-behaved but non-specialized dog.

3. Advanced Obedience Training

Dogs with advanced obedience training go beyond basic commands and are able to respond to more complex instructions in a variety of environments, even with distractions. This level of training is ideal for ensuring your dog is calm, controlled, and focused, regardless of the situation.

Advanced Dog Training Techniques Include:

  • Off-leash control, where your dog responds to commands even without a leash.
  • More complex commands like "place" (staying in a designated spot) or advanced recall.
  • Behavior correction techniques to address issues like jumping, barking, or aggression.

If your dog has undergone advanced dog obedience training, include this in your Fortify Form. Dogs with this level of training can contribute to a more secure home environment, as they are less likely to exhibit unpredictable or disruptive behavior.

4. Guard/Protection Dog Training

Guard dog training or protection dog training focuses on teaching your dog to guard property, defend you or your family, and respond to potential threats. Dogs with this training are highly skilled and trained to assess situations where protective action is needed.

Protection Dog Skills Include:

  • Barking on command or in response to specific threats.
  • Defensive actions, such as standing guard or deterring intruders.
  • Controlled biting or holding an intruder until help arrives, often in extreme situations.

If your dog has guard dog training or protection dog training, be sure to indicate this on your Fortify Form. Dogs with these skills require specialized security considerations to ensure that they are used effectively in protecting your home.

5. Service/Support Dog Training

Service dog training and support dog training teach dogs to assist individuals with disabilities or specific medical needs. These dogs are often highly specialized and certified to perform specific tasks, such as guiding someone who is blind, alerting to medical conditions, or providing emotional support.

Service Dog Certification and Skills:

  • Performing specific tasks like opening doors, retrieving items, or providing mobility assistance.
  • Alerting to medical issues, such as low blood sugar or seizures.
  • Providing emotional or psychological support, particularly for individuals with anxiety or PTSD.

If your dog has service dog training or is certified as a support dog, include this information in your Fortify Form. These dogs have specific needs and legal protections, and your Fortify Plan should account for how to accommodate their specialized roles in your household.