by Liz McGuire

Created on: November 25, 2007

While an alarm system is not as cuddly and loyal as man's best friend, a good system is the superior defense against home burglars.

For decades, I have always insisted on at least one dog in the house. With a traveling husband, I want the advantage of having the dog wake me before the burglar does, and, if necessary, protect me. But the dog cannot bark loud enough to alert the neighbors and send a burglar packing, as a shrieking alarm can. The sound of a barking dog is not unusual enough to get the neighbors to investigate. And the dog can't call the alarm company to alert the police.

Unless you specifically train the dog to detect and neutralize burglars, the actions your dog may take may have detrimental effects. First, your dog may be a closet coward. Some dogs will be model watch dogs when you are home. Barking and standing ground only when they know you are there, watching their backs. But when the burglar enters the home while the dog is alone, all the resolve goes away with the owner. I remember a worker who arrived at my house while I was at work. I had given him a key and told him the dog would not pose a problem. But even I was not prepared for the extent that my dog went to avoid confrontation. She had not only hidden under a bed, but had pushed aside some storage containers to ensure she was well hidden. When I got home though, she was all junkyard dog - barreling down the stairs barking and snarling. If you only want the deterrent while you are at home, then the dog may suffice.

The second way the watch dog approach can backfire is that a loyal dog does not differentiate between a burglar and the aforementioned worker. In an emergency, is the dog going to attack the EMT entering your house to save your life? Why risk the guilt or expense? And why subject your dog to unnecessary danger?

Another aspect is that some burglars are just not intimidated by dogs. A burglar could harm or kill the dog. And then there's the movie scene that has now been successfully adopted by crafty burglars everywhere - slipping the dog a treat as a distraction or friend-making tool.

One of the major complaints about burglar alarms also applies to canines. The false alarm that occurs when the alarm trips for no reason may be more costly than the alarm the dog sounds when a rake falls off the rack in the garage. But it is no less annoying.

Don't get me wrong. I love dogs. And I'm almost sure my dog would protect me in a pinch. But my dog is a member of the family and I want to protect him too. As a burglar deterrent, a good alarm system wins hands down.

Learn more about this author, Liz McGuire.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.