Early on, dogs were domesticated to protect their owners from other humans and wild animals. And to this day, many breeds do a pretty good job of alerting their owners to the presence of strangers and unwanted visitors.
So, does this mean dogs can deter burglars?
The short answer is yes. However, this definitely depends on a dog’s breed, temperament, and training.
While the majority of dogs are territorial by nature, not all dogs will deter burglars. In fact, some dogs are naturally passive and can even be welcoming to strangers, especially those who offer food. Professional burglars often know how to deal with a variety of dogs, even the big predatory ones - and a noisy, barking dog doesn’t always put off all thieves.
So, yes, it’s better to have a barking dog than no dog at all, but not as your sole method of defense.
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Certain breeds have a reputation for being good guard dogs. And while this may be true of your dog’s breed, a dog must be trained in a certain way or it could be useless as a burglar deterrent. For example, a tiny dog with a relentless bark will deter burglars more than a great big, loveable lab.
Cesar Millan, the famous dog behaviorist, has made a shortlist of the 10 breeds (when trained well) that make the best guard dogs:
While a dog may discourage a burglary, it’s not guaranteed that a dog will always stop one.
Here’s an analogy to keep in mind: Dogs are to burglars as speeding tickets are to speeders.
The majority of people don’t want to be fined for breaking the speed limit, but for those determined to drive above the posted speed, the possibility of a citation won’t always be enough to stop them. They’ll just be smart about how, where, and when they choose to speed.
Similarly, dogs won’t act as guaranteed prevention.
For example, here are a couple of example situations where dogs aren’t enough for burglary deterrence:
A good guard dog will act as a great first line of defense for any home. But securing the safety of your property and family is best when you have a range of security measures in place.
The optimal solution for deterring burglars is by installing a complete security system that’s custom-designed for your unique home. Whether that means alarms, motion sensors, or a full CCTV system, it’s also recommended to add in 24/7 monitoring for round-the-clock protection.
When you choose Ackerman's monitoring services, our trained specialists keep an eye on your home 24/7. In the event of a triggered alarm, our specialists are immediately alerted and can dispatch proper authorities if needed. Our monitoring systems help prevent burglary, fire, gas, and CO. You can even add monitoring for water damage and medical emergencies.
In the unlikely event that you're burglarized under our monitoring, we'll continue to protect you—by paying you double your loss. And that's something no other security company offers: true peace of mind that you'll be protected, no matter what happens.
While man’s best friend can deter burglars from entering your home, Fido can’t help much once a break-in actually takes place. Take the necessary steps to protect your home with a custom, complete home security system. With Ackerman, you’ll get the protection and security you and your family deserve.
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