Cave Creek K9 Training

Personal Protection Dogs

Confident, Controlled Protection – Built on Real Obedience

Confident, Controlled Protection – Built on Real Obedience

At Cave Creek K9 Training, we don’t create “loose cannons.” We build clear-headed, stable, obedient dogs who can protect when needed and be relaxed, safe family companions the rest of the time. Personal protection training is a serious responsibility. Our job is to balance control, safety, and real-world effectiveness so your dog is an asset to your family, not a liability.

Is Personal Protection Training Right for You?

Our Personal Protection program is designed for:

  • Families or individuals who want an added layer of security at home or on the go
  • Owners who are willing to follow structure and rules with their dog after training
  • Dogs with the right temperament, nerves, and drive for this level of work
  • Clients who understand that obedience and stability come first, bite work comes later


This program is not for:

  • People who just want an “aggressive dog” to intimidate others
  • Dogs with serious fear, anxiety, or unstable nerves
  • Owners who aren’t willing to maintain training with consistent follow-through


Every dog and owner must pass an evaluation before being accepted into the program.

What’s Included in Our Personal Protection Program:

1. Evaluation & Temperament Testing

  • Full assessment of your dog’s nerves, drives, confidence, and social stability
  • Discussion of your goals, lifestyle, and expectations
  • Honest feedback whether your dog is suitable for this level of work


2. Obedience & Control Foundation

Before we ever ask for protection work, we establish:

  • Reliable heel, sit, down, stay, and recall
  • Strong place command and impulse control
  • Neutral behavior around strangers, dogs, and distractions
  • Clear communication with the dog using leash, voice, and tools (where appropriate)
  • Many dogs with one of our Board & Train camps to build this foundation.


3. Drive Building & Confidence Work

For dogs that pass evaluation, we begin:

  • Controlled prey and defense work using sleeves and equipment
  • Building a full, strong grip and commitment to the work
  • Confidence-building on different surfaces, environments, and scenarios
  • Teaching the dog to work with the handler, not just for the equipment


4. Targeting & Controlled Aggression

Next, we refine the work:

  • Teaching your dog to respond to clear commands to engage and disengage
  • Proper targeting (arm, suit work, controlled scenarios)
  • Clear on/off switches – when to guard, when to engage, and when to stop
  • Building a dog that can work under pressure while staying under control


5. Real-Life Scenarios

We don’t want a dog that only “protects” in a training field. We incorporate:

  • Home-entry scenarios (door knocks, unknown visitors, late-night disturbances)
  • Vehicle and parking lot scenarios
  • Handler defense – threats directed toward you and your family
  • Work around real-world distractions (noise, movement, crowds, etc.)


6. Handler Training & Follow-Up

A personal protection dog is only as good as its handler. We include:

  • Handler education – how and when to use your dog properly
  • Multiple follow-up lessons to make sure you’re confident and safe
  • Ongoing support options and tune-up sessions as needed

1. Evaluation & Temperament Testing

  • Full assessment of your dog’s nerves, drives, confidence, and social stability
  • Discussion of your goals, lifestyle, and expectations
  • Honest feedback whether your dog is suitable for this level of work


2. Obedience & Control Foundation

Before we ever ask for protection work, we establish:

  • Reliable heel, sit, down, stay, and recall
  • Strong place command and impulse control
  • Neutral behavior around strangers, dogs, and distractions
  • Clear communication with the dog using leash, voice, and tools (where appropriate)
  • Many dogs with one of our Board & Train camps to build this foundation.


3. Drive Building & Confidence Work

For dogs that pass evaluation, we begin:

  • Controlled prey and defense work using sleeves and equipment
  • Building a full, strong grip and commitment to the work
  • Confidence-building on different surfaces, environments, and scenarios
  • Teaching the dog to work with the handler, not just for the equipment

4. Targeting & Controlled Aggression

Next, we refine the work:

  • Teaching your dog to respond to clear commands to engage and disengage
  • Proper targeting (arm, suit work, controlled scenarios)
  • Clear on/off switches – when to guard, when to engage, and when to stop
  • Building a dog that can work under pressure while staying under control


5. Real-Life Scenarios

We don’t want a dog that only “protects” in a training field. We incorporate:

  • Home-entry scenarios (door knocks, unknown visitors, late-night disturbances)
  • Vehicle and parking lot scenarios
  • Handler defense – threats directed toward you and your family
  • Work around real-world distractions (noise, movement, crowds, etc.)


6. Handler Training & Follow-Up

A personal protection dog is only as good as its handler. We include:

  • Handler education – how and when to use your dog properly
  • Multiple follow-up lessons to make sure you’re confident and safe
  • Ongoing support options and tune-up sessions as needed

Safety, Liability & Responsibility

Personal protection training isn’t a “cool trick” — it’s a serious commitment that requires responsibility and clear expectations. We place safety first for your family, visitors, and the public, and we reinforce consistent rules and management both inside and outside the home. We also make sure every owner understands the legal realities and liability that come with owning a protection dog. Above all, we set realistic expectations: your dog is a living being, not a machine. We’ll always be honest with you about what your dog can and should do.

Who Trains the Dogs?

Your dog is trained by a professional with real-world experience in high-level obedience, control work, behavior modification, public stability, and balanced protection and sport-style training. You’re not handing your dog off to someone who just runs bite drills — you’re working with a trainer who understands nerves, genetics, and practical application, not just flashy videos. Read more about your trainer below.

About the Trainer – Rodd Proctor

Rodd Proctor, owner and head trainer at Cave Creek K9 Training, has over 30 years of experience working with protection dogs. His background spans real-world personal protection, advanced obedience, and the development of strong, high-drive working dogs.


He trained extensively in the working-dog sport community and earned certification as a National Level Helper through the United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USCA), demonstrating advanced technical skill and a deep understanding of canine drives, nerves, and safe handling under pressure.


Beyond sport work, Rodd has decades of real-world protection experience, including home-defense scenarios, handler protection, vehicle defense, and environmental challenges. His programs blend the precision of sport-style techniques with the calm, reliable behavior required for practical personal protection.


His philosophy is simple: stability before power, obedience before aggression, clarity in every environment, and a reliable on/off switch for true safety. Rodd believes a proper protection dog should be clear-headed, confident, and trustworthy in the home while capable of defending when needed.


Through his balanced, real-world approach, Cave Creek K9 Training has earned a reputation for producing dependable protection dogs that perform under pressure and remain steady family companions.

Ready to Talk About Personal Protection Training?

If you’re serious about developing a stable, obedient, and truly capable personal protection dog, the next step is a formal evaluation. This is where we assess suitability, outline the training path, and make sure the program aligns with your goals. Take the first step toward a reliable protection partner — schedule your consultation today.

SCHEDULE AN EVALUATION

Frequently asked questions

  • Can any dog become a personal protection dog?

    Private lessons at Cave Creek K9 Training are one-on-one sessions tailored to your specific goals and your dog's needs. These lessons focus on addressing behaviors you wish to improve, teaching new skills, or refining existing commands. Each session is designed to maximize individual attention and personalized training strategies.

  • How old does my dog need to be?

    The progress you can expect from attending private lessons depends on several factors, including the frequency of the sessions, your dog's learning speed, the specific issues being addressed, and how consistently training is practiced outside of lessons. Most owners see noticeable improvements in their dog's behavior and skills within a few sessions, especially with consistent practice and follow-through at home.

  • Will this make my dog aggressive?

    Done correctly, protection training does not create random aggression. It gives a job and structure to a dog that already has the genetics for this type of work. Obedience and control are built alongside protection.

  • How long is the program?

    Yes, we offer the flexibility to conduct private lessons at your home or at a designated training area. Home sessions are particularly beneficial for addressing behaviors in the environment where your dog spends most of their time.

  • What does it cost?

    Pricing depends on the level of training, board & train length, and goals (family protection vs. higher-level work). Contact us directly and we’ll go over options and a custom plan for you and your dog.

Contact Us Today

LET'S TALK TRAINING

We would love to hear from you. Get in touch today to discuss your training needs, and we will be happy to answer any questions.