Do you think having a pet dog is good security?

Question

how and why?

Answer 1

Yes.
A dog can sense an intruder
before you can.
Plus, it's easier for an intruder
to break into a home where
there is no dog.

Answer 2

A "pet" dog, no, a real dog, yes. It all depends on what type of security you require. If you just want a dog that will bark, any dog will do it. If you want REAl security, meaning a dog that will actually engage a human, that is a whole other story. Very few dogs qualify for that job. I see people have written here and told you about how their dogs will protect them to death and they will not allow anyone in their homes, etc. I have also read, with great amusement, I might add, where people have said that a dog that was "formally" trained in protection will be a liability and very hard to handle and may also even bite you. I now understand why some people consider this to be a "fun" site to go to. I have never seen such nonsense being spewed by people who have no idea what they are talking about. A dog that has been formally trained in protection is the most reliable and easy to live with animal. They are trained to respond to certain stimuli and that is it. The dog will protect you and the house if someone decides that the barking at the door is not good enough. People here have also stated that most people will walk away from a barking dog. Most will, some will not. Those are the ones I worry about. Are you willing to bet your safety on a dog that will NOT protect you? Me neither. I have never owned a dog that was not formally protection trained in the last 27 years. I want a dog that is willing and able to engage a human should the need arise and damn the lawsuits that may come out of it. My two childrens safety is much more important to me. Please choose what you need very carefully. A decision like this is not something to be taken lightly. Educate your self on the pros and cons of having the right dog and go from there. Good Luck.

Answer 3

That's a very fine line to walk with a dog. If you train a dog to be your "security" you run the risk of having an aggressive, hard to handle dog that will likely bite. The extent of security that I would ever allow my dogs to handle is alerting me to sounds or smells since I know their senses are better. If one of them is barking out the window I will to look, say thank you (they've learned meaning to that phrase) and they settle down. They feel the need to tell me they see a stranger and once they know I know they are fine. I had a wire on the hot water heater spark and the pup also knew and scratched at the door that access the heater to get my attention and he again was told thank you. His job is to alert not defend. You teach a dog to defend and you will have a dog that will bite. This is why breeds like pit bulls have made the news so much, people think they should be mean and defend the home but no one can handle them once they learn the behavior. Did you know Helen Keller had a pit bull? If they were mean and aggressive do you think the dog would have hesitated at attacking her considering the weakness it must have sensed with her?

Answer 4

If you want a warning system of sorts, then yes. Our little 20-lb dog barks her fool head off if someone comes to the door. So we'd know someone was there, but she wouldn't actually do any harm to a person. Really if you want that much security, get a security system and let the dog be a pet.

Answer 5

I think a dog as security is something that can work if a potential intruder THINKS the dog is going to hurt him. Not too many people are going to tangle with a big dog if they don't know the dog's temperatment, so chances are good that a large, fearsome-LOOKING dog would be effective, even if it's a marshmallow inside.

Another trick I've heard of is to have a recording of a BIG dog that plays when someone knocks at the door or rings the bell :-) Most potential intruders are going to hear something like that and move along to the next target, rather than risk a confrontation with something that sounds like it might tear their head off!

Answer 6

definitely. whether they are trained or not they would probably bark if something were wrong. my dog wasnt trained but any time someone we didnt know would come to the door, he would be right at the window barking. whether or not what he would do if someone actually broke into the house is a different story but nevertheless he may even scare someone away just by barking, they dont know. i find comfort in having a pet dog. it makes me feel safer, andnot only for safety security but for friendship. having a dog is like having a best friend who loves you no matter what. and i think if there was ever a chance to protect you, a dog would jump on it.

Answer 7

Yes, less for the "my dog will attack the intruder" factor as for deterrent and warning. Those looking for an unlocked door opportunity might think twice if they see the big dog food bowl in my kitchen. If anyone snuck in late at night, my terrier would bark like mad. Even if the growing-like-a-weed lab puppy would probably just lick at a burglar, the burglar wouldn't know that. And she does have a lot of power even if she's just jumping up to say hello.

So, yes, I do think a dog is a part of home security. But keep lockin' those doors and windows anyway.

Answer 8

I saw a program on TV once where a retired burgler stated that when he was "casing" homes, he would not even consider entering a house that had a dog because they would bark and alert neighbors that something was wrong in the home - never mind the possibility that he might get bitten!
I've got two German Shepherds, they don't even let people we know come to the house without barking. It is a different type of bark than the one that they use for delivery people; more of a "Hello"...they bark with more menace for the FedEx guy!

Answer 9

Only if it is trained to be so. Just having a dog doesn't necessarily make for good security. My husband thinks our dog is security, but in all honesty, my dog is more likely to roll over and beg to be pet than defend his territory. He's a boxer/bulldog.

Answer 10

Yes, even a small dog will come to your rescue if you need them. I have a pug that somehow knew to bite the ankle of a man who was following me. It turned out later he had a knife. My timid little lap dog never hurt a fly before than and never has again but am I ever glad I had her with me on that walk. A dogs/owner bond is strong.