Get a Dog for Protection
One of the best things you can do to increase security for your
home and your family
can also be one of the most fun; get a dog for protection. It does not have to be
big, expensive, or have special training. It will serve double-duty
as a playmate and protector for your kids, and it is a great way to
help teach them some responsibility.
Criminals like privacy and secrecy. They feel most comfortable in an
environment where they will not be noticed. Do not make them feel
comfortable in, or around, your home! A dog may be man's (or
woman's) best
friend, but it is something criminals prefer to avoid. Dogs bark,
which draws attention. There is also the fear of being bitten -- or
worse. If your home obviously has a dog on the premises, it will
almost always be avoided.
We have three dogs, and got them all from the local dog pound for
free. They are all between about 80 and 100 pounds. The largest is
half German Shepherd and half Great Dane. One is a full-blood German
Shepherd, and the other is a full-blood Black Lab. None of them have
received more than basic obedience training. They are not mean or
vicious in any way. But, they do exactly what we got them to do:
Play with us and the kids, and make strangers feel a little uneasy.
Because of their size, people who do not know them tend to keep
their distance. In truth, the only danger they pose to anyone is
licking someone's ears off. But the people we want to stay away from
us don't know that!
Big dogs are happiest in a big yard. We live on a hobby farm, so
they have plenty of room. My oldest daughter, though, lives in an
apartment. She has a much smaller dog -- about 17 pounds. While not
as intimidating as its larger "cousins," it will also effectively
deter would-be burglars or attackers. We know this because numerous
interviews with criminals reveal that most of them try to avoid all dogs,
whether they are large or small. So pick a dog for protection that fits your
circumstances.
Dogs do require maintenance. You must feed and water them. They
require periodic veterinary care. And you will need to "scoop the
poop." Some of this is well within the ability of your
kids to handle, after they have been properly taught how to do it.
Home security is, after all, everyone's business. It takes effort,
but the benefits of having a dog for protection around are well worth it.