What "trained" should mean in a protection dog ad

It is one of the most common phrases in dog ads and one of the least defined.

German Shepherd on a leash playing with its handler

01Start with control

Hawaii treats most dog injury claims as negligence claims, so what protects an owner is how carefully the dog is kept and handled. Ask first how reliably it stops on cue.

02Levels of readiness

Basic obedience at home and on walks.
Composure in crowds and around other animals.
Professional protection training with records.
Proof you saw with your own eyes.

03Reasonable requests

Request a live demonstration, written training history and a past buyer you can call.

German Shepherd running across a garden lawn — A dog at ease with its handler is the thing to look for.

04Promises to question

A living animal cannot be guaranteed. Take a flat promise as a prompt for more questions.

Live in Hawaii and want to ask about a dog?

Send your Hawaii ZIP code and what the dog would protect. A partner company that places protection dogs follows up.

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