The Guard Service (ZKS) is one of the Soviet dog training systems. This direction serves several purposes at once. Dog handlers develop the ability to smell identification in animals during training, and also develop certain protective and protective skills.
History of the phenomenon and features of training
ZKS itself arose as part of one of the military trends in dog training. This happened in the twentieth century, but the technique does not lose its relevance at the present time. On the course of protective and guard duty, dogs are trained to work in law enforcement agencies. Four-legged are widely used for search, guard and escort tasks. One of the extensive training programs is selected in accordance with future specialization and where exactly the animal's skills will be applied.
The training process should be carried out by experienced dog handlers in order to avoid trauma to the psyche of the dog. Independent work without the help of a qualified specialist can lead to unpredictable results, making the animal excessively aggressive or cowardly. Upon completion of training, the dog must fully comply with the established standards. One of the most popular courses is considered to be IPO - international testing of custom dogs. Actually, the ZKS is a national analogue with its own system built during the Soviet Union.
Animal requirements
Dog handlers do not undertake the training of all dogs in a row. Programs are designed for those four-legged that meet a number of specific requirements. For the course of protective and guard duty, it is necessary to take into account the following parameters of the animal:
- the dog must be at least one year old;
- stress resistance, high levels of nervous system strength and general mental stability are necessary;
- the animal must always clearly and impeccably obey the owner and carry out all commands;
- excellent health and proper physical development, strong teeth and jaws, as well as good auditory and olfactory data are required;
In addition, the dog must pass the general training course (OKD) in advance, pass all the standards and receive the appropriate diploma. For the course of the guard duty (CC), the requirements for four-legged can be supplemented by the following points:
- pronounced active and defensive reaction;
- visually strong appearance, thick coat and well-developed musculature;
- high rates of vision, smell, hearing and condition of the dentofacial system.
Suitable dog breeds
There is an opinion that there are practically no restrictions on the choice. Nevertheless, practice shows a more frequent preference for service breeds like German or East European shepherds, boxers, Dobermans, black or Russian terriers, American bulldogs and many others. There is one very common misconception that all the large four-legged ones are suitable for training in the ZKS course. However, in reality this is not entirely true, since overly aggressive and ferocious dogs cannot fulfill a number of standard commands.
As an example of unsuitable breeds for ZKS, Central Asian and Caucasian Shepherd dogs can be cited. Their innate character traits do not include the porting of objects, that is, they cannot choose things by smell. Moreover, these breeds have well established themselves as guards of a certain territory or person. If you look for similar options, you can find that German shepherds in the guard duty service are used quite often. They are also trained in the international IPO system and in the Schutzhund system. As part of the ZKS, the requirements for this breed are no different from those for other dogs.
Selection and protection of things
Often in operational work, it is required to attack the trail of a person. For this, animals are taught the skill of picking things out, with which they can find someone by smell. Every dog from birth has a tendency to differentiate information obtained by smell. In other words, dogs are able to separate different odors from each other. Training under the program allows you to raise these skills to a new level that cannot be achieved in the ordinary life of a four-legged. The basis of work with animals is a special base, including olfactory-search and food behavior reactions.
To select things, the dog should be interested in sniffing the proposed item. The dog is actively looking for a thing among others, and then brings it to the trainer. The skill of protection is often needed in everyday life, for example, when you need to leave your luggage for some period of time under the supervision of a four-legged pet. Special skills of the guard and guard service for tracking the territory begin with the development of this option. The protective abilities of the dog are based on an active-defensive reaction of behavior.
Detention with convoy and escort
There are many situations in which a similar skill is applicable. These include the possibility of a danger of attack on the trainer, his family and friends, as well as the penetration of criminals into the house for the purpose of robbery or robbery. The training program as part of the dog’s guard-guard service includes the development of skills in detaining people, their subsequent escort with an increased level of attention and a bold active struggle.
It is worth noting that these abilities are the starting point for further development at a more in-depth ZKS course. The given skill is based on the defensively aggressive reaction of the animal, develops a healthy alert distrust of outsiders and serves as a starting point for the acquisition of more specialized skills.
Search the area
This ability is the key to the successful implementation of the four-legged tasks of finding things or objects in a particular territory. This skill is being developed as part of the basic training program in the guard and guard service. With this ability, the dog learns to find not only objects, but also people hiding in the area. The skill is based on several animal reactions at once, including olfactory search, defensive, food and aporting.
Opportunities for dogs after training
A ready-to-guard dog must meet a number of requirements, as described below.
- On a leash from the outside of the protected object, the dog must warn the owner about the approach of strangers at a distance of 40 meters.
- The animal ceases to react in any way to extraneous sounds such as shots and explosions, and also completely ignores treats from strangers.
- With free supervision, the dog will warn the owner about an attempt to enter the territory.
- The dog will become distrustful of strangers, and if necessary can neutralize and detain the offender.
Free and non-free tapping
In the first case, a four-legged guard patrols the area surrounded by a blank fence with a height of up to 2.5 meters. This is done not only to protect the territory from outside threats, but also to prevent the dog from escaping. Also, free baiting is allowed in various rooms. A non-free option involves finding a dog on a leash on the outside of the object that you want to protect. As part of the protective guard service program, animals are trained in both ways of caravanning.