A seven-point checklist before you pay for a protection dog
Work through these in order. If a seller resists any of them, take that as information.
The seven checks
- Name the jobWrite down who lives with the dog, where it will sleep and what you expect it to do.
- Collect documentsAsk for health records, training records and the seller's identity, in writing.
- Meet the dogVisit in person or by live video. Never send money for a dog you have not seen.
- Test controlWatch recalls, stays and calm behavior around strangers and noise.
- Read the contractIt should name the dog, describe the training and explain returns.
- Call your insurerUse our insurance notes as a script.
- Plan the paperworkLicense the dog with your county once it comes home. See licenses.
Check three in more detail
Seeing a dog work is the single most valuable step. Try to see it respond to commands near distractions, not just in a quiet yard. Ask to handle the dog yourself under the professional's guidance.
If you are thinking of a young dog, remember that you are buying potential rather than a finished animal. The table below decodes the words sellers use.
Decoding the words sellers use
| Phrase | Ask to see |
|---|---|
| Obedience trained | Heel, sit, down and recall around distractions |
| Protection foundation | What was introduced, by whom and for how long |
| Titled | The certificate and the organization that issued it |
| Finished | The dog working live, with you holding the leash |
Control comes first. A dog that cannot be called off or settled raises your risk, and under the control rule on our dog law page that risk lands on you. Titles are one data point, and nobody can promise how a living animal will act in a new home.
Money rules
Ask for an itemized quote. Pay by a traceable method and keep every receipt. Pressure to pay quickly is a warning sign. For published price figures, see our price page.
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