In today's protection dog market, the word "elite" appears on virtually every website, social media post, and marketing material. We at CPI coined "Elite Family & Estate Protection Dogs" over 30 years ago, a term originally reserved for truly exceptional animals with specialized training that set us as the leader in the industry. Now, "elite" has devolved into meaningless marketing jargon, appearing on every protection dog company website, leaving potential owners confused and often misled about what they're purchasing. In fact, it's now hard to find a dog from any company that isn't marketed as elite. This inflation of terminology doesn't just damage industry credibility; it potentially puts families at risk when they believe they've purchased a comprehensively trained family protection dog but instead receive an animal unprepared for real-world threats.

Protection dogs are valuable companions and deterrents against home invasions, but certain training approaches may not be functional, and could open you up to liability. Having your protection dog trained to independently search your home for intruders is a request we often get from clients, and is one we can certainly train and deliver, but we often don't recommend this choice as it presents several serious concerns that owners should carefully consider.

In today’s world, the need for personal protection is more real than ever. We’d like to share a recent experience that illustrates just how much peace of mind an elite family protection dog can provide.

When considering a personal protection dog, one of the most critical factors is the dog’s level of control and responsiveness. At CPI, we believe in training protection dogs to respond easily off-leash, in obedience, and on protection. Functionality is what we train for, and in most cases, having your dog on a leash when having your dog perform protection is simply not functional. Off-leash training is more than a convenience; it’s an important skill that will keep you safe and improves the bond between dog and handler.

In recent months, a troubling trend has emerged: the homes of high-profile athletes, including NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, have been targeted by organized crime rings. These sophisticated groups exploit public records and social media to identify when athletes are away, often during games, to execute burglaries.