Using a dog/K-9 for protection will depend on the dogs protective instinct and training. Many places offer aggression training for dogs. You don’t want the dog “going postal” every time he sees someone. On the same token you don’t want the dog afraid of his own shadow. Dog training and reinforcement takes patience. Dogs have a “pack “mentality when it comes to you and your family. To the dog…you and your family are the “pack.” They will naturally be protective. There are ways to reinforce and nurture this behavior without making the dog a maniac lol. Dogs are great to let you know if someone is on your property when you don’t have an alarm on, and they protect the property when your gone.
Far as I am concerned have both a dog and a very good alarm. I also have a Blue and Gold McCaw that alerts me to people that are outside near my property and cars that pull into the driveway.
PS Did you know that the French put McCaws on the Eiffel Tower to warn of incoming German aircraft during WWII. Parrots have excellent ears and exceptional eyesight.
On the few episodes of the show that you may or may not have watched and been paying attention to...a dog or bird is not an effective substitute for a good alarm system (Not even a pet snake!!!). Jon breezed right thru a home with 2 Pit bulls...so...Like you, I used to think a dog was a good way to protect your home. But as Jon pointed out in one episode, dog's bark all the time...so why would anyone pay much attention to a barking dog?? Unless you have a Presa Canario or two guarding you and your home...I think an alarm system and remembering to lock all your doors and windows is an effective tool against a burglar.
Pastrydiva
PS..don't forget, if you have a removable thumb latch deadbolt...ONLY remove the thumblatch IF you are LEAVING your home...otherwise, leave it in..AND check those batteries in ALL your fire alarms and rememeber to replace them frequently...
I have been in law enforcement for over 20 years. Each home security need must be tailored to the needs of the homeowner with consideration to the demographic area they live in. When I refer to K-9 I am referring to a fully trained dog, not the family pet. I can personally guarantee that Matt or Jon WILL not walk in my house lol.
There are pros and cons on both sides of the Dog vs Alarm issue. I have both alarms and dogs Again, you must tailor your security system based on your needs.
you just got all the answers, my friend. Its guys like you who ultimately become a part of the statistics and not a part of the solution. As anyone should know...you can never say that anything will never happen to you. I used to think that...until someone did burglarize me...and I thought I was doing EVERYTHING right. Dogs...ANY dogs...trained or not trained are not a deterent for anything. Bottom line, is lock your doors...lock your windows..and set your alarm and MAYBE you can deter a burglar. Burglars are brazen folks who care very little for anything or anyone. Therefore to say that a dog (of ANY kind) will deter a thief from targeting your home is at best a retarded statement from a person who claims to be in law enforcement for 20 years. I agree with only ONE thing you said...and that is...KNOW YOUR AREA...absolutely...if you live in a crack invested neighborhood....Yes, of course, your home security should be the best to protect you and your home...But please...spare me and everyone else here your "Holier than thou" speech and how burglary is a crime that will NEVER happen to you. And don't give ANYONE here the advice of getting a K-9 of any kind...that doesn't hack it...sorry...
Buy a dog, parrot, aligator just for the sake of being a guard "dog" isn't fair to the animal....
I purposely got a house alarm to protect my pet.
I would not want to come home to find my dog injured, dead, or let loose because he was trying to protect the house. And if the dog does not perform and is not considered a pet what do you do with the animal? Again that is not right. Training is not that predictable so for the price of dog bred for guard duty and the expense of training you would be better off to buy a basic house security system for the same price. (add in Vet bills, shots, dog license too) The monthly monitoring probably cost as much as dog food for the month!!!!
Well on second thought if the thief happens to be compulsive neurotic like MONK...the dog droppings might be a good deterent!!!! LOL LOL
I am going to have to agree with Pastry on this one. I know from experience that no matter the level of viciousness of a dog...thieves have no consideration of a dog's well being. They can very well do whatever they can to "get what's valuable".
Take for instance my sister, her place was robbed and all the thieves had to do was lock up her dogs in her bedroom. Plan and simple.
In my brother's case, his pit bull was murdered and left for dead when they broke into his home.
I think it's important to also remember that no matter how malicious a dog is...if a thief were to get bit or even scratched by "your" dog(s)...he or she can very well sue you. Tough brake either way.
Well, we can keep going back and forth until we are blue in the face regarding security lol. If someone wants in your house bad enough, they are getting in. Like I said before, the extent of your security needs will be based on the demographic area you live in. By the way, the 2 dogs in my house are fully trained police dogs…….a little different wouldn’t you think lol. I am just fortunate to have them. Again, people are different and so will be the security the elect to employ. We can go round and around this all day. Just do what you think is best to keep your family and property secure and safe.
Yes there are ways around dogs (even police dogs), fences, locks and alarms.
I do find the show entertaining and interesting. However, I feel that there is substantially more that can be explored on the ITAT show. They should delve into personal security, and maybe have an episode for kids. While burglary and property crime are serious, I am hoping that ITAT will take periodic jaunts to explore what I mentioned above.
I hope that they do a segment on crime and punishment and show what it is like when burglars get jailed and go to prison lol. We have a couple people like that here in jail…..and you can trust me….they don’t like it here lol.
KC, a kids ep probably won't happen. Matt Johnston commented that he doesn't let kids (15-) watch the robberies because they'd probably have nightmares about it
i would be interested in seeing a crime and punishment espisode... Bring some satisfaction to victims to see what an arrested burglar would be put thru.
Let me clarify what I meant by a “kids” episode. An episode to show kids how to identify suspicious activities while in their neighborhood. This is to include teaching kids not to give out personal information about themselves and family members. (When the parents will be home, where they work etc) This would be good to target the 13-16yo range.
Kids are out and about their neighborhoods quite a bit, and see a lot.
Children need to learn that the world isn't always a happy fuzzy safe place.
How many abducted children were carried off kicking and biting and screaming? How many went quietly because they were told all their lives to trust adults and be obedient and quiet and good?
OUR HOUSE WAS BROKEN IN TO 2 TIMES THEN WE GO OUR 4 GUARD DOGS TRAINED TO ATTACK THERE ABOUT 130LBS EACH LAST YEAR SOME JERK TRIED TO BRAKE IN THE DOGS SENT him TO THE ER HE GOT ALL THE BONES IN HIS RIGHT ARM CRUSHED AND ONE OF THE DOG'S BITE HIM RIGHT IN THE BACK OF THE HIS LEG SNAPPIN HIS LEG HIS WHOLW BODY WAS SHREDED OVER 1000 STICTIES I THINK HE GOT WHAT HE DESIVERD
This message has been edited. Last edited by: kim g,
I know yall kinda already settled this arguement, but I want to add somethin... A story my dad told me from when he was younger...
A neighbor of his up the street had a K-9 , trained guard dog, but it was a pet too.. The couple were elderly, thats why they had him. My dad said if he steped up to the door, the dog sat RIGHT there staring at you.. Didnt bark, didnt growl. But if the couple said it was alright for you to come in, the dog was gone, you would never see it, and it didnt bother you. Now the couple went out one night, or maybe it was a vacation... i cant remember anymore... But they left the dog at home,... Three burgulars broke in. WHen the couple came back, they found the police there. Out of the three burgulars, two were put into ICU, and one was killed...
dogs being useless my butt....
And i dont want to start anything, so dont try to bash me on this one, but have they really tryied to break into a house where the dog(s) are aggressive towards people?? I know they have had dogs that "alert people" to the intruders, but what about the dogs that on a normal basis are mean to people... (I have one, and I personally know how it is trying to get someone they arent used to into the house, and i have the scars to prove how aggressive my dog for instance can be, i had to stop him from going after my uncle...)
MY GUARD 4 DOGS JUST KILLED 3 INTRUDER THIS WEEK THAT MAKE JUST LIKE THERE TRAINED TO DO THERE IS ALOT OF CRIME IN MY AREA SO I GOT THE FOR MOST VICOUS DOG I COULD GET MY HANDS ON AND MY FIEND'S DAD TRAINED THEM HE IS A PRO DOG TRAINER IT WOULD OF COST ME THOUSANS OF DOLLARS BUT HE DID IT FOR FREE I HELP AROUND HIS KENNEL TRAINING DOGS
I like ya...Your a cool guy in my book.. 
I do find the show entertaining and interesting. However, I feel that there is substantially more that can be explored on the ITAT show. They should delve into personal security, and maybe have an episode for kids. While burglary and property crime are serious, I am hoping that ITAT will take periodic jaunts to explore what I mentioned above. 
