Having a furry friend by your side while you sleep can certainly feel comforting and safe. But do dogs actually protect their owners while they slumber? Read on as we dive into the details surrounding dogs and their protective behaviors at night.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Dogs can provide a sense of protection while you sleep by barking to alert you of intruders and acting as a physical barrier between you and potential threats.
However, most dogs do not have innate guarding abilities without proper training.
Dogs’ Natural Protective Instincts
Territorial Barking
Dogs have a strong instinct to guard their territory and family members. This protective behavior often manifests as barking when unknown visitors approach the home. According to the American Kennel Club, over 70% of dogs bark to alert their owners of people near the home.
This territorial barking helps deter intruders and alerts you of potential threats while you sleep.
Some dog breeds have especially loud, deep barks that sound intimidating and scare strangers away. For example, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers are large dogs bred to guard property. Their booming barks coupled with an alert posture gives intruders pause.
Small dogs can also provide loud warning barks thanks to their feistiness. Territorial barking is the first line of defense against nighttime intruders when you are in a vulnerable sleeping state.
Acting as a Physical Barrier
In addition to vocal warnings, dogs use their bodies to physically block perceived threats from approaching you at night. According to a WebMD article, over 50 scientific studies show dogs improve human health.
One way is by literally placing themselves between their sleeping owner and something they deem dangerous like an open door or window.
Large breed dogs are especially effective physical barriers thanks to their imposing size. For example, a Great Dane standing 30+ inches tall on all fours makes it very difficult for an intruder to get past.
But even small dogs display protective behaviors like growling while placing themselves between you and the threat. Dogs may even nip or bite if they sense true danger.
This physical and psychological blocking gives you time to wake up and assess the situation. It also often scares away the potential thief who wants to avoid confrontation and detection.
Breeds Prone to Guarding
Guard Dogs
Certain breeds like German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers are known for being excellent guard dogs. These breeds have strong protective instincts and are naturally alert, making them ideal for protecting homes and families.
Guard dogs go through specialized training to enhance their guarding abilities. This allows them to serve as police dogs, security dogs, and watchdogs. With proper training, these intelligent and loyal breeds are exceptional at assessing threats and responding appropriately to protect their household.
According to the American Kennel Club’s rankings of the most popular guard dog breeds, the top 5 are:
1. German Shepherd – Known for being highly intelligent, confident, and fearless.
2. Doberman Pinscher – Large, powerful, and intensely loyal breed.
3. Rottweiler – Robust, strong, and naturally protective.
4. Bullmastiff – Intimidating due to their size yet gentle with family.
5. Giant Schnauzer – Large, athletic, alert, and obedient.
These breeds have strong territorial instincts that make them inclined to watch over their home and family while sleeping. If any unknown person or animal approaches, they will immediately alert their owner and take action if needed.
Herding Dogs
Herding dog breeds like German Shepherds, Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Corgis also have protective tendencies despite not being traditional guard dogs. Their herding background has made them highly intelligent, loyal, and quick to act.
While sleeping, these breeds are alert and attuned to noises or disturbances that seem out of the ordinary. If they sense a potential threat, they will wake up and loudly vocalize to alert their owner and scare off intruders.
According to the American Kennel Club, the top 5 best guarding herding breeds are:
1. German Shepherd – Bold, smart, and protective.
2. Collie – Known for being great family dogs, yet still protective.
3. Belgian Malinois – Confident, hardworking guardians.
4. Old English Sheepdog – Loving yet courageous and alert.
5. Pembroke Welsh Corgi – Small but feisty and devoted.
While not as intimidating as traditional guard dogs, these active and vocal breeds are excellent at sounding the alarm and keeping their family safe. Their loyal and protective nature gives owners peace of mind knowing they are on guard, even at night.
Training Dogs to Guard
Obedience Training
Obedience training is a crucial first step when teaching a dog to guard. The dog must be able to follow basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “quiet” in order for it to be an effective guardian. Obedience training establishes you as the pack leader and helps the dog focus on your instructions.
Start with short, positive training sessions every day to reinforce the desired behaviors. Use rewards like treats and praise to motivate your dog during training. With regular practice, your dog will learn to obey commands reliably both inside the home and outdoors.
Barking on Command
Teaching your dog to bark on command helps transform its natural alarm barking into a useful security skill. Choose a verbal cue like “speak” and pair it with a physical trigger that provokes barking, such as knocking on a door.
When your dog barks at the sound, immediately give the “speak” command and reward with praise or a treat when it obeys. Continue to practice this until your dog associates the command with the action of barking. Train your dog to stop barking on a different command like “quiet.”
This gives you control over your dog’s vocalizations so it only barks when appropriate.
Attack Training
Some guard dog owners choose to train their dogs to physically engage an intruder on command. However, attack training should only be done under the guidance of an experienced dog trainer or behaviorist.
Training a dog to bite or apprehend a person can be risky and lead to legal liabilities if not done properly. Key elements of attack training include teaching your dog to only engage on your command (not simply when it feels threatened), quickly release on order, and read cues that indicate when a threat is no longer present.
Consistent training with professional protective equipment is essential to maintain control while preventing injury. Most pet owners do not require this intense level of protection training for simple guard duties.
While genetics influence a dog’s natural guarding instincts, most breeds benefit enormously from structured training to shape their protective behaviors appropriately. With diligent practice and positive reinforcement, you can teach your dog when and how to use its voice, imposing presence, and keen senses to effectively deter intruders and keep your family safe.
Creating a Secure Home
Alarm Systems
Installing a reliable home alarm system is one of the most effective ways to deter burglars and protect your home while you sleep (source). Modern alarm systems can detect motion, glass breaks, door and window entries which triggers a loud siren to scare off intruders and notifies authorities.
Top home security companies like SafeWise offer DIY installation or professional monitoring options to suit different budgets.
Secure Doors and Windows
Reinforcing doors and windows with extra locks and security film makes it much harder for intruders to break in. Solid core exterior doors with deadbolts, security strike plates and a glass reinforcement film can withstand quite a bit of brute force.
Upgrading to laminated glass windows also helps prevent easy smash and grab style robberies.
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor security lights connected to motion sensors is extremely effective for scaring off would-be trespassers. Bright LED floodlights that automatically turn on when movement is detected eliminates dark corners around the outside of your home for criminals to hide.
Positioning the lights to cover driveways, doorways and fence gates creates a completely lit perimeter.
When Guarding Turns Problematic
Excessive Barking
While some barking is normal for dogs, excessive and uncontrolled barking can become an annoying and frustrating problem for pet owners. Dogs may bark excessively when they feel territory needs to be protected, when greeting people, from boredom or loneliness, or as an alarm signal.
Excessive barking when guarding at night can disturb sleep and irritate neighbors. Here are some tips to curb excessive barking:
- Provide plenty of exercise, toys, and chews to decrease boredom.
- Teach the “quiet” command and reward calm behavior.
- Reduce stimuli that trigger barking like outdoor noises or people passing by.
- Use citronella or ultrasonic anti-barking devices.
- Consider bark collars as a last resort if other methods don’t work.
Aggression Towards Visitors
While guarding and territorial behaviors are common in dogs, aggression towards visitors and strangers can be problematic. Dogs may show aggression by barking, growling, or lunging at visitors. Some reasons for aggression include lack of socialization, mistreatment, fear, possession aggression over toys or food, and dominance.
To curb aggression:
- Socialize the dog thoroughly to lots of people from an early age.
- Use positive reinforcement training and remain calm when strangers arrive.
- Keep the dog secured during visits and provide toys to distract them.
- Introduce visitors safely by keeping the dog leashed and giving treats for good behavior.
- Consider consulting a certified dog trainer or behaviorist for help.
Separation Anxiety
Many dogs become very distressed when left alone, leading to whining, barking, destruction, urination, defecation, and escape attempts. This separation anxiety can disrupt sleep when the anxious dog guards at night. Solutions include:
- Keep arrivals/departures low-key and ignore excited behavior.
- Practice short solo absences to gradually build independence.
- Provide puzzles, chews, exercise before being left alone.
- Consider calming aids like ThunderShirts, pheromones, or medications if anxiety is severe.
- Hire a pet sitter or take the dog to daycare when away for long periods.
In severe cases, consulting a veterinary behaviorist to address the underlying anxiety is recommended. With patience and consistency, problematic guarding behaviors can be improved so owners and dogs can sleep soundly.
Conclusion
While the idea of having a protective pooch snuggled up next to you at night may feel reassuring, the reality is that most dogs do not inherently guard their owners. With proper training and consideration for your dog’s temperament, some canines can be taught basic guarding skills.
However, it’s also important not to rely solely on your pet for protection. Ensuring your home is properly secured and avoiding tendencies that lead to overprotectiveness in dogs will help keep both you and your furry companion safe and comfortable at night.
