When the clock struck 2 a.m. earlier this year, Debi McNeil Tavin was awoken by a commotion.
Her family’s Catahoula-Aussie mix is barking furiously at something outside their window. Then their 11-year-old Labrador also joined in to assist.
“I heard our net door close. I shouted to my husband: ‘Someone entered the house!’ I saw the person retreat down our stairs and run away,” Debi said.
Terrified, they called the police. Officers in their Massachusetts neighborhood never caught the perpetrator, but Debi believes their dogs foiled the potential intruder’s plans. Debi said: “I’m sure things would have been different if they hadn’t chased him away and warned us.
Crime Stoppers
Numerous studies and surveys of convicted felons show that having a dog can help prevent break-ins and keep your home safe. K. Campbell, an intelligence and security expert, said: “Thieves don’t like the presence of dogs.
It seems common sense — burglary 101: Don’t barge into a home where dogs can bark and alert residents and neighbors — or risk being bitten by a growling mad dog.
When it comes to feet on the ground, size may not matter. “A large dog can be a physical threat to thieves. Small dogs don’t usually pose a physical threat, but they make a lot of noise,” K. says.
One recent research discovered that dogs can not only help prevent crime in your home, but also in your community.
“Neighborhoods with a higher percentage of dog owners have lower rates of violent crime,” said Nicolo Pinchak, lead author of the study and a doctoral student in sociology at Ohio State University. than when more people believe.
The key to this foot patrol is that dog walkers are more likely to talk to their neighbors and observe. If something is suspicious, they can call the police.
“It’s not necessarily your dog that stops crime – it’s you. Walking the dog gives you that sense of familiarity, that routine, the ability to identify problems,” says Nicolo.
Crime partner
Some scientists believe that humans and dogs have worked together to ward off wrongdoers for thousands of years.
“It is possible that one of the early functions of dogs was to act as an alarm system,” said Erin Hecht, assistant professor in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. “Their ancestors, the wild wolves, were territorial. During domestication, humans intentionally or unintentionally may have appropriated that existing predisposition to alert intruders approaching their space.”
Dogs’ keen hearing, smell, and responsiveness to intruders may be why burrowers keep them around – and dogs have probably received some positive food boosters for their behaviour.
“If this process does happen – which, to me personally, seems very likely – it was very early in the domestication process, which would explain why the trend is likely to happen,” says Erin. The tendency to bark at an intruder is present in most modern dog breeds. “In some dog breeds, this behavior may be impaired or even lost due to strong human behavioral selection.”
Dogs to protect the home – or not
If your dog doesn’t bark instinctively, should you train them to respond? Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Barbara Daviswho is the president of International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), warning be careful with what you desire.
“I can’t tell you how many people call me and say, ‘I want my dog to not bark so much when someone knocks on the door’. It’s an undesirable behavior that a lot of people are looking to get rid of,” says Barbara.
But what about getting over the barking and training your dog to attack or bite? Barbara says when people ask her, she discourages it.
“You can’t take a dog from a shelter or normal dogs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans or whatever it may be, and say, ‘You’re going to be my cop,’ because because the dog may not have the temperament to do that kind of work,” says Barbara.
Many of the dogs you see on TV fighting the bad guys are well-trained working dogs – they’re not always pets. Most are bred for work; even then, some don’t make the cut.
“There is a lot of individual variation within breeds due to random genetic variation and variation in early life experience. Erin says:
A safe and stable dog from a reputable organization can cost thousands of dollars. Their training and handling are often not self-made.
“If you have a dog and train them to hate people and kick them out in your backyard, that dog will probably bite anyone for any number of reasons. You are exposing yourself to enormous legal responsibility. Someone’s going to get hurt and you’re going to have to take responsibility for that,” Barbara said.
Watch out for your legal liability
Legal experts say if your dog bites an intruder or someone breaks into your home, the dog’s response shouldn’t be too great for the threat.
“The question is, how does a dog know the difference between (someone) having a gun, a knife, or no weapon?” attorney Jeremy Cohen, founder of Boston Dog Lawyer.
Jeremy says if your dog injures or kills an intruder, the court may have to assess the type of threat he or she poses. “You may need to make sure the dog is not trained to kill or perform any kind of deadly bite. You’re looking for the dog to take the person down, not get them out,” he said.
People like postmen, delivery drivers, pizza delivery people, homeowners, policemen, and firefighters often have implied invitations to your property. Your dog needs to know who is a threat and who is not. Jeremy said: “The dog may not be able to tell the difference, but the law certainly does.
No matter what type of dog you have, make sure your insurance covers them. “Homeowner and renter insurance policies often cover dog bite liability,” says Janet Ruiz. Insurance Information Institute.
But it’s important to be honest with your agent or insurance company. Tell them if your dog has a history of bites or has specialized training. If your policy does not cover your dog, you can purchase additional coverage. Without the right insurance, you could face a costly disaster.
“Most policies offer $100,000 to $300,000 in liability coverage, but if the claim goes over the limit, you could be in big financial trouble,” says Janet. “The dog owner is personally liable for all damages above that amount, including legal costs. A single lawsuit – even if won – can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. And the larger a person’s assets, the more likely they are to be at risk.”
How to keep your home safe
Experts say if you want to keep your home safe, your dog shouldn’t be your only line of defense. You also don’t want a four-legged member of your family to be harmed during a break-in.
Use common sense — protect family 101:
- Trim bushes and trees so that no one can sneak in unnoticed through windows or doors.
- Do not leave letters and newspapers stacked outside.
- Keep lights in your home.
- Get cameras and burglar alarms; Some even play the sound of a barking dog. Go big, go big. Thieves often choose houses as easy targets.
“It’s about classes. It doesn’t matter if you’re protecting the security of the White House or the security of the company,” K. said. “The more layers you have, the less inviting your property will be.”
Debi says she’s grateful to have her dog on duty as part of her home security plan. “I don’t think I would feel safe without a dog in the house.”
