An Alarm System or a Guard Dog: Which is More Effective?

Many homeowners elect to get a guard dog to protect their property instead of having an alarm system installed. There are several reasons why they make this choice. First, the people who choose a dog over an alarm system are typically dog lovers and would probably own a dog in the first place. The fact that it’s a guard dog is just a bonus. Second, it can appear to be significantly cheaper to get a dog instead of paying to have an alarm system installed and for monitoring. Each type of home security system has its pros and cons. It is best to research both options and decide which is best for your particular situation.

To begin with, quite a bit of training goes into a proper guard dog. You can’t simply make him aggressive and call it good. This could result in the dog being aggressive toward people you don’t want him to be aggressive toward and could even lead to legal action if your dog bites someone who is not a criminal. Furthermore, training takes both time and money, which must be considered before getting a dog.

Dogs can smell fear in people, which is another factor you need to think about when considering getting a guard dog. Criminals usually do not express fear while they are engaged in their craft. In this case, a dog will not even bark when someone breaks in, and if the burglar is a dog lover, the dog might actually welcome him instead of guarding against him. This means that your plan has essentially backfired and your home is not as secure as you thought it was.

Finally, dogs cannot be left alone for days on end. If you are going out of town, you can’t simply leave your dog to protect your house. He will need to be fed and let outside, and even if you have someone do this for you, he can’t be effectively guarding the house if he’s not where he’s supposed to be at any given time. As such, you might end up having to board your dog and your house will be left unprotected.

Dogs are wonderful, but it’s best that they not be used as the first line of defense for your house. A home security system doesn’t have to be fed or trained and it is always there when you need it. Get a dog if you want, but get an alarm system too.