Inside Edition brought in guard dog experts to gauge the reaction of some dogs to a burglar.
If a masked intruder broke into your home, would your dog attack or tuck its tail and run away?
Inside Edition put some dogs to the test to find out whether they would confront the burglar, or wimp out.
In a recent case, a robber kicked down the door of a home with two dogs — but instead of teaming up to take him down, the canines took off.
In a home outside Philadelphia, one dog ran away as a burglar hurled a plate at it.
Inside Edition tested Perry, a 5-year-old yellow Labrador, at her home in Irvington, N.Y.
Her owner, Michelle Kellaher, loves her dog but wonders if Perry would go the extra mile to save her.
"I hope she tries to protect me," Kellaher told Inside Edition.
To find out, Inside Edition enlisted the help of Nate Bonilla and Michael D’Abruzzo of K9-1 Specialized Dog Training.
A scene was staged where, with Kellaher’s permission, the "assailant" would bust in.
The “burglar” put on a great performance as he pretends to assault Kellaher.
She screams for Perry, but instead of trying to save her master, the dog ran straight for the door.
Kellaher is left alone to defend herself.
"So as you can see, this is called 'flight.' Her tail is tucked, she's actually looking for a way out," D’Abruzzo said.
"Oh no — thanks Perry," Kellaher said. "I'm surprised she didn’t run and hide."
In another test, Ruby, a 4-year-old pit bull/Lab mix, was given the task of protecting her beloved owner, Kevin Peterson of Cortland Manor, NY.
"I believe she's going to bite, but I’d like to find out," Peterson said.
When the so-called home invasion went down, Ruby came into the room to investigate.
Ruby sniffed things out, but then ran away.
"Ruby was curious; she was worried about you, but she was not willing to take on the attacker," D'Abruzzo said. "Sorry Kevin. Ruby is a wimp."
Inside Edition also tested the dog duo of Frodo and Dobby. They live with Ellen Eikamp in Scarsdale, N.Y.
"I think Frodo is going to go after the attacker," she said.
During the "home invasion," Eikamp came “under attack” and the two dogs burst into the room.
Frodo went right into the mix and even jumped on our burglar, backing him out the door.
D’Abruzzo says Frodo performed an instinctive guard dog technique called splitting.
“That's called splitting behavior, he goes right between, puts himself in the line of fire and continues to drive him out," he said.
Little Dobby was just as fearless.
"They are two little warriors," D’Abruzzo said.
“I like how they worked together,” Eikamp added.
Who would've thought the littlest dogs, including a Chihuahua, would turn out to be the bravest?
For guard dog training tips please visit D'Abruzzo’s YouTube Page.
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