8 of 31

Dog

Write now Article Tools

The best defense against burglars in one's home is a combination approach, utilizing an alarm system that is difficult to disable or fool and which will call a service center if tripped, coupled with a dog of sufficient size and suitable temperament to deter burglars, along with security cameras and good-quality dead-bolt locks that you activate only with a key, set into solid wood frames having little or no glass around the door frames.

In addition, you should always make your home look the same - preferably as if there is always someone there. You should always either keep your doors and windows locked even when you are home, or have proximity switches on them so that if someone opens a door or window without your knowledge, an alarm goes off.

The dog is a good immediate deterrent, and it's hard to fool one or 'disable' its alarm. But a dog can't dial the phone. Each has its place in a good security system.

If you're like me and love to have windows and doors open in the summer to let the breezes blow through, proximity switches can be disabled, provided you can lock the windows in any position. A simple way to do this is to put a stick of suitable length on top of the window you open, so it can't be opened further; or open the top half of the window and not the bottom.

All of this is assuming you live in a town of some kind, and not in the country as I do. In the country, there is no question of whether or not you have a dog - I don't know anyone who lives in the country, whether farming or ranching or not, who doesn't have at least one dog, and usually has several.

As with anything else, some dogs are friendly, some are watchful, and some are definitely hostile. In some states, if you have a dog that is hostile toward strangers, you must post signs warning about this dog. In other states, you are liable if you post warnings if the dog bites someone, no matter what they are doing. I personally think this last is ridiculous.

I used to have a dog who would go after anyone wearing a uniform, but would keep a close eye on everyone else, and at the time, lived in such a state. If the dog thought a visitor was going someplace they shouldn't, he would bar their way and escort them back to their vehicle and keep them there, and make a lot of noise once he got them to the vehicle. This dog was never wrong about people, and I loved him dearly.

Because of the 'uniforms' problem, I put up a 4 ft. X 8 ft. sign at the

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about What's the best defense against burglars in your home: Alarm system or dog??
We want to hear your view. Write now!