Wüstenberger-Land | Family raised and bred German shepherds

Burglars continue breaking into high-end homes around Los Angeles, getting past home defense technology. In recent weeks, the San Fernando Valley was hit with 26 burglaries in the month of April, according to news reports. Fortunately, police arrested several people.

The recent string of home invasions in Los Angeles isn’t new. It’s been happening for the past few years. The rewards of grabbing hundreds of thousands of dollars in valuables and flying out of the country, outweighs the risks of getting caught.

The break-in methods point to the need for a solution that seems old school but works—well-trained protection dogs.

Broad crime studies show that areas with higher canine populations experience fewer property crimes.

The best protection dogs, like pure bloodline German Shepherds, love challenges. They’re loyal to their family and lightning fast. And they can cover ground that video and other surveillance equipment misses.

Technology appears advanced but has a number of weaknesses.

Think your doorbell camera will repel thieves? Think again.

Photo by Jeannette Kempkes, Wustenberger-Land

How burglars plan

Before burglars ever step foot on your property, they’ve usually spent time tracking your travel patterns in and out of your home.

They’re patient and will use drones and hidden cameras to study what time intervals you leave and when you return home.

Burglars will get your name, go online, and use social media to track vacation plans.

Got a trip to Paris planned?
Or an outing out of the city or state?

If you post about the trip, don’t say the exact dates that you’ll be gone because someone may be reading your entries and watching videos you’ve uploaded.

Here’s another low-tech trick that you won’t even notice.

They’ll place delivery bags on porches to verify if anyone is home.

They can have ties to local businesses like car rentals to make getaways fast. That’s a piece of evidence uncovered in a recent federal case tied to a San Fernando car rental company.

How burglars ruin your defenses

Wi-Fi jamming devices are used to disable doorbell cameras, according to a report on Realtor.com.

They can study where video cameras are placed to increase the chances of not being detected.

Burglars take these steps because most of them want in and out of the targeted house in five minutes or less. Most of them don’t want confrontations. They want to get your valuables and get away.

How do protection dogs protect against the rob-and-run type of burglar?

Dogs make their presence known and create moments of unpredictability. And well-trained dogs stand their ground.

Protection dogs provide presence

Dogs are excellent at sensing that something’s happening on a property.

Do you have children? How about caretakers who come and go to look after your property?

Michael Kempkes, of Kempkes Executive K-9s, and his wife, Jeannette, owner of Wustenberger-Land, provide a high-touch, hands-on service to help dogs assimilate at a client’s home. The dogs know who is allowed on the property and who isn’t.

If something happens, the dogs go on the alert, bark as they investigate, and scare off thieves with the noise alone. That’s been documented by different government sources and news outlets.

An investigative report by KGW8 out of Oregon surveyed 86 burglars.

The study concluded that if “a homeowner had a big, loud dog most burglars would stay away.” One of the convicted burglars even said, “dogs are a deal breaker for me…Big breeds, home protectors are the best to keep people out.”

How the best protection dogs are trained

What’s the difference between just any dog and highly skilled protection dogs?

Families who have a high net worth, and are at great risk for harm, will benefit from a thoroughly trained dog who knows their lifestyle and has the skills to keep them safe.

These dogs are a select breed and have special qualities, much like elite human athletes who are superior to other athletes.

Michel Kempkes says he looks for an intangible quality.

“Temperament is key. The dogs with the best temperaments will prove their loyalty to their family and take on challenges.”

Michael has trained pure bloodline German Shepherds since age 9 in his native Germany. He’s earned a lifetime achievement award from the German SV and is recognized internationally for his work.

“I want the dog to be able handle stress and complex situations. I’ve trained dogs in staying calm during police maneuvers using flash grenades and during gunfire.”

Michael has titled hundreds of dogs in the highest levels of Schutzhund, a sport that tests the relationship between a dog and its owner and measures the dog’s intelligence, tracking skills, obedience, and protective instincts.

During training, Michael keeps the dogs relaxed and never stresses them out. Each one is trained to the specific needs of a family, whether that’s riding comfortably in a convertible sports car or flying with them on a private jet.

Protection dogs surprise intruders

A burglar may know the location of your security cameras and have scoped the layout of your property and know the best windows to use. But they don’t know all the hiding spots around the yard or inside.

Protection dogs can leap from the shadows onto an attacker or race from the first floor to a second story window and counter a burglar.

The pure bloodline shepherds that Michael has titled in Schutzhund are agile and strong. They know how to tackle an intruder and stay on top of them until their owner calls for help and takes over.

But some burglars are far more dangerous than grabbing valuables and taking off. They’ll threaten your life.

How can dogs help?

Protection dogs stopping gun-toting intruders

Michael and Jeannette never just “sell” a pure bloodline German Shepherd as a protection dog.

Placing a dog is specific and strategic.

They carefully assess a potential client’s need.

They’ll learn about their travel schedules, lifestyle demands, and their privacy and exposure to the public. Then they choose a dog with the right build and temperament from their network in Germany.

The dog is selected for its lineage, inspected for superior health records, and is allowed to mature properly. Then, when the time is right, Michael and Jeanette will bring it to their 5-acre ranch in Agua Dulce, northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

The personal approach pays off for the clients.

The Kempkes know the dog’s abilities and know how the dog will relate to their new family.

This is critically important when providing true protection dogs who protect against bodily harm.

“I know of a couple who were out to eat with their young children at a restaurant in West Hollywood, drove home, and hit the garage door opener as they coming up the driveway,” says Jeanette.

They were ambushed.

“When the door closed behind them, there were intruders with them inside the garage. But the couple was skilled in self defense and we had trained protection dogs who sprung into action, and disarmed and disabled the would-be attackers.”

The Kempkes will actually work with the dogs and families using a live decoy on a client’s property to simulate this situation or other types of potential harm. It’s a variation on Schutzhund and requires a dog with superior skills who works alongside their family members to provide this level of protection.

What happens when invaders have guns?

“An elite European working dog closes the gap before a gunman can even aim,” says Jeannette. “That’s the difference between having a family pet and a true protection dog.”

Jeannette says her and Michael’s work is rewarding.

“Pure bloodline German Shepherds are beautiful animals and loving. They care about their families. We take pride in how we train them so the families will have a long and memorable relationship.”