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A dog can certainly give a homeowner an enhanced sense of security, but in my opinion, that should not be the primary reason for adopting one.

If security is your sole aim, an alarm system would incur a comparable cost to dog ownership (installation vs. vaccinations; monthly service charges vs. monthly food and vet bills, etc.).

An alarm system can be programmed to respond to a limited set of conditions - something trips the motion sensor. A window is forced open. Smoke is detected. When the alarm sounds, you know one of these has taken place.

True, the smoke could be your toaster. A child, pet, or even a drastic change in the ambient light of the room can trip the motion sensor. Usually, within the first week or two after a security system is installed, the homeowner knows where the "bugs" are in the system and can take steps to correct them. After that time, it becomes a predictable routine to set the code, disarm the system, decide who the monitoring company should call, etc.

A dog, on the other hand, can be trained to respond to commands, but it is still a sentient and emotional being. How nice it would be if we could train a dog to bark ONLY at people approaching our homes with evil intent, but that is seldom the case. Dogs will not only bark at intruders, they will also bark at meter readers, the neighbors, cats, other dogs, birds, and those mysterious entities that seem to be visible only to dogs.

A dog requires care. Cesar Millan, the "Dog Whisperer," lists a dog's three basic needs as discipline, exercise, and affection. Unless you have the time to walk a dog two or three times a day (that is, walking away from your home WITH your security system on a leash...), train it to behave the way you would like, and interact with it in a humane fashion, then you would be better off with an electronic alarm system. If you need security because you are away from home a lot, then the choice would be obvious.

Dogs have limited communication ability, so barking serves a variety of purposes. One of those functions is to say "Hey! I'm lonely out here! Someone come and pay attention to me, please!" If a dog barks incessantly, soon no one will pay attention to it, other than to call the police and report it as a nuisance.

Dogs can be fooled. We don't want our dogs to attack anyone and everyone other than ourselves; we want our dogs to be reasonably friendly toward welcome visitors. An intruder who employs the correct body language and tone of voice can "get around" a dog that might otherwise growl, bark or bite. Treats may be offered - real, tasty ones that merely distract the dog, or toxic ones that can put the dog out of commission temporarily or permanently. I would much rather see my alarm system disabled with cut wires, than my dog rendered unconscious or worse.

Large, aggressive dogs are popular choices for security nowadays. They can also be expensive to adopt, even from a local shelter. As is the case in many other areas of life, certain people who want things will acquire them through theft, and dogs are no exception.

Learn more about this author, Elaine Arthur.
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