By: Andi Stark

Canine Protection International (CPI) has been training protection dogs for more than 30 years. Their goal is to create dogs that are both strong protectors and safe companions for families. Unlike police dogs or sport dogs that are often passed off as protection dogs, CPI’s dogs are trained to be functional and reliable in real-world situations, not just in controlled environments and training scenarios.

Alex Bois, Managing Director of CPI, explains that their method is about balance. “A protection dog should not just be an obedient pet or an aggressive deterrent—it has to be both,” he says. “That means teaching it to switch between family life and serious protection work without confusion.”

CPI carefully selects and trains only 24 dogs per year. By focusing on a small number, each dog receives personal training to match the needs of its future owner. The most common breeds used are German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois because of their intelligence, loyalty, and natural ability to protect.

Preparing Dogs for Real-Life Protection

CPI trains dogs differently than most other protection dog companies. Many training programs focus on competition or sport style obedience and protection, where dogs perform set routines for rewards. While these methods may look impressive at face value, dogs taught this way “will not perform in a real life situation” Bois warns.

CPI trains its dogs to show aggression on command, anytime, anywhere. This means that instead of only reacting to a person wearing a bite suit or making exaggerated movements, the dogs learn to respond to anyone they are instructed to—passive or active. The training also includes complete off-leash protection and obedience, allowing their clients to easily handle large and powerful dogs, with complete control. 

Bois believes that many companies train and sell the image of a protection dog, not a real protection dog that will fight a full-grown man “A dog that only reacts to a person wearing a bite sleeve or making exaggerated movements is not truly trained for real-life situations,” he says. “Our dogs are trained to respond to any threat when instructed, including passive threats, and are able to perform their duties without relying on visual cues from the decoy or equipment.”

Choosing the Right Protection Dog and Avoiding Common Mistakes

Many people assume that any large breed, strong dog can be a good protector, but that’s not the case. There are no official regulations for protection dog training, which means some companies sell dogs that are aggressive for all the wrong reasons or poorly trained dogs that may look intimidating but are not reliable in real situations. Others train dogs for staged scenarios, making them ineffective in an actual emergency.

Bois adds, “It’s scary what I see in our industry and what clients have told me while talking to other companies, while I’m sure there are other reputable companies out there, there are many looking to make a quick buck and sell snake oil to uneducated buyers. There are currently dogs on the market that we have tested and turned down for our program that are now available on other companies’ websites for hundreds of thousands of dollars”

A common mistake is choosing a dog based on appearance rather than temperament and training. A dog may look powerful but turn tail and run under real pressure. Another issue is reliance on training equipment—some dogs only respond when the decoy wears a suit, sleeve, or makes exaggerated movements with a whip in hand. CPI warns that a finished protection dog should be ready to respond anytime, anywhere, without needing visual cues or props.

CPI does not rely on an in-house breeding program, which would only allow the selection of several litters a year. Instead, it carefully selects dogs from hundreds of European breedings to find those with the right mix of intelligence, confidence, and natural ability. CPI’s 30-year business relationships allow them to first pick the strongest dogs before they are offered to brokers and make their way to the American market. A strong protection dog must be highly alert and capable of fighting a full-grown man with the intent to cause serious injury, but it should also be calm and well-mannered enough to live comfortably in a family home and with children.

Training Dogs for a Smooth Home Integration

A protection dog needs to be able to live in a family home without causing stress or fear. CPI raises and trains dogs in a home environment before they are delivered to clients. This allows the dogs to experience normal household activities, interact with people, and learn how to behave in different situations.

The training teaches dogs to be completely comfortable and stable in everyday situations, like guests visiting the house or children playing. This careful preparation prevents unnecessary or unpredictable behavior.

Bois emphasizes that a protection dog should fit into its owner’s life. “If a dog requires you to change the way you live, it’s not the right protection dog,” he says. “The dog should adapt to the family, not the other way around. Selection of the right dog for the right client is key.”

CPI provides ongoing support to clients even after their protection dog has been delivered. Recognizing that many owners are new to handling a trained protection dog, CPI offers a comprehensive three-day course to help ensure a smooth transition. This training takes place at the owner’s home and in nearby public spaces, allowing the dog and owner to adapt to real-world scenarios together. By integrating the training into the client’s daily environment, CPI aims to support the development of a strong bond between the dog and its new family, promoting confidence and control in everyday situations.

Before completing the delivery of a new dog to a client, CPI works with the client to ensure they feel confident handling their dog off-leash in various environments, including at home, in public, and during protection scenarios.

Bois adds, “We focus on delivering well-trained dogs, so clients are not required to carry treats or toys to encourage specific behaviors, as is often seen in the industry. Our goal is for the dogs to perform exercises independently, without constant reinforcement.” He goes on to say, “I have yet to see anyone in the industry give their clients the level of functional control and performance of their dogs that we do, it’s been a long process to perfect where we are today, 30 years in the making.”

Why Real Protection Training Matters

A trained protection dog is not just a pet—it is a security investment. CPI focuses on making sure its dogs are ready for real-life situations, not just for show. The difference between a properly trained protection dog and a poorly trained one is life and death.

For clients—many of whom are business leaders, athletes, and high-profile individuals—a trained protection dog provides peace of mind. A dog that is both a loyal companion and a trained protector allows families to feel safe at home, in public, and while traveling.

CPI’s training program prepares each dog for both family life and real-world security situations. By combining practical training, careful selection, and ongoing support, CPI aims to provide protection dogs that are well-equipped and can integrate smoothly into family life.

Published by Anne C.