Aug
20
2010
Dogs as a deterrent?
I’ve seen many times that dogs can be a deterrent against crime. That if there’s a barking dog inside, a criminal is less likely to break into your house. Or if you’re jogging with a dog, you’re less likely to be a victim of attack from a human.
What are your thoughts as dogs as a deterrent?
And also, a twist, do you think certain dogs (for example: small fluffy dogs) stereotype you are an easy victim?
By Shanna, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
Most criminals go for the easy target so even if your dog is a sweetheart, the attacker doesn’t want to risk the dog barking and drawing attention to the crime and they will move on to an easier victim.
Most dogs are probably not going to do much to protect you but I believe their presence is going to deter most crime just because they present an obstacle to the criminal. However, if a criminal really wants in YOUR house or wants YOU, then a dog isn’t going to stop them.
By Mrs. Nicholson™, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I think when it comes down to it, if someone is coming into my house to do physical harm then they more than likely will have a gun or some sort. Why would they be scared off by a barking dog? they could just as easily shoot him as they could me.
If two kids break into my house trying to just steal stuff and they hear a barking dog it might make them think twice. But that’s about it.
And I think small dogs can portray you as an easy target because you can control them physically better than a larger breed. I know i could kick a little chihuahua but if I tried to kick my APBT i would just hurt my toe and not phase him a bit.
By yarmiah, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I agree that dogs can be a deterrent against personal and home crimes, as there are many people in the world who fear dogs.
As far as the littler dogs go, they can be more vicious that some of the big dogs, so look out would be criminals!
By Dana D, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I think the additional benefit of dogs deterring theft can exist, but you’d better want a dog for companionship first. Otherwise, it is cheaper & more effective to have an alarm to protect your home.
I’ve never understood people having yard dogs for home protection. What is the dog protecting out there? The garden gnome? Landmower? A criminal could easily poison or kill the dog without the family inside knowing. My dogs are house dogs & at night they sleep in our bedroom. And I don’t expect them to "protect" me (although they are mastiffs & will), what they will do is buy me time to call for help or arm myself should an intruder be that stupid.
Bottom line as alpha leader & loving pet owner, I am here to protect my dogs. I hope they would at least run some early interference if need be.
By Kip’s Mom ***WFM***, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I do know someone who has shelties that lives in a "bad" area of town. The houses on either side of his house, and across the street, have all been broken into, some of them more than once. His house has never been broken into.
My theory? Criminals are lazy – they want the easiest target. But a barking dog will not prevent crime every time – it may make your house less of a target though!
By SH, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
My dogs are the best at protecting our house, they bark at anyone coming into the house that they don’t know. And no, little dogs, although not intimidating, are definitely good at protecting your home. The thing with little dogs is they have good hearing and a high bark which can alarm you if anyone is breaking in to your home before you even hear anyone there. My doggies work as a team. My little pom is the first alarm because she barks at everything and that gets my doberman going with her big scary barking.
By Amanda, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
Of course they act as deterrents. When people see an 80 lb Rottweiler in my backyard, who is barking her head off at them, they wouldn’t be very smart to enter.
People cross the street to the other side when I walk her. She is most certainly a deterrent.
Like Shanna said, no matter the type of dog, a criminal wouldn’t want to draw attention to the situation by having any dog bark. Nevertheless, my overly friendly mutt would most definitely freely allow someone in my house. Luckily, I have another dog who won’t.
By SG Brittanys, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I think they do act a bit like a deterrent. If someone wants to attack or mug you, they’re going to go for the person that’s alone, not the person with the potentially dangerous dog or the one that’s going to bark and draw attention to the attack.
I know I feel safer at night because Sirius sleeps on my bed with me. He’ll bark at the slightest noise in the middle of the night, so I feel like he’ll deter anyone that may think of breaking in
By OhIDoDoI, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
Interesting. My thoughts are, it depends what the intruders intent is.
Most robberies occur in daylight hours, when the people are not home. Most robbers want your stuff, and do NOT want to face the home owners. In this case, a dog would be a great deterrent because a barking dog draws attention, which is exactly what robbers do not want.
In invasions where the intruders are planning to harm the owners, I don’t think a dog is a deterrent at all. Someone intending to hurt people in a house would be just as likely to hurt the dog. I’ve heard some horrifying stories about home invasions where dogs were tortured and beaten.
Dogs are definetely great alarm systems, I don’t think it matters on the size or fluffyness of the dog.
By berner mom Abcde, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
My Husky deters any Squirrels or Rabbits that dare to cross the fence into our yard. Humans, she would let in the house and show them where the good stuff is hidden. Then entertain them until they are ready to leave..
By howldine, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
My dog is an awesome deterrent. She’s only 50 lbs but has a massive bark that she is fond of using often – you know, like when a leaf falls or when a mouse farts in the yard. She will also let a stranger know immediately that they are not acceptable (by barking and ‘grouching’ – not really growling, just kind of complaining) until I tell her to sit and give the command "friend" or "go say hi." Kaya also has beautiful but strangely colored eyes that are unnerving to some people- they can’t read her emotions in them. So I am confident that if I left her to watch the house, or if someone attempted to break in, that she would be a very effective deterrent to crime on my property or my person.
A lot of small fluffy dogs are excellent watchdogs. My parents’ Yorkies may not do anything TO a burglar, but they will sure as hell let you know that he’s there. Most police departments agree that ANY barking dog- regardless of size- is an excellent deterrent to crime.
By CubbyMama, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I don’t know really. I have a shih tzu, and yes most people I’m sure just think of me as an easy target because I’m small with a small fluffy dog. But there was one time, I was in the drive thru at McDonald’s and the very large man at the window would not give me my food because he saw Cubby in the car and was scared he’d jump and bite him. I thought "you have to be kidding!" The guy was probably 3 times larger than I am. But some people are just scared of dogs, period, no matter what breed it is.
But Cubby is a barker. Even if he couldn’t stop a person once they were in the house, there is no way someone could get in without us knowing. He’s a good alert system.
By Ulva Child •<-- Its ALIVE, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I do think any dog is a deterrent in a sense.
Whether it’s a 10lb dog or a 90lb dog, criminals are going to think twice before entering a home with a dog.. .
A bark can wake a household especially if your dog(s) barking at that particular time is “strange”
Add- I just read Shanna’s answer and I agree 100%. Once that criminal is in your home. No dog is going to get in his way.
By Rayven ~Count Down to Sept 13t ~, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I think yes and no. If someone is determine to cause you harm dog or no dog they will do it and in some areas hearing a dog bark constantly is not out of the ordinary and to they might just as easily hurt the dog at the same time.
As to the second question if its a lil pure dog being carried about then YES it will make you look like an easy mark and an easy mark with money at that. However lil dogs can be some of the meanest dogs around when it comes to protecting their humans.
Do I think Beej will guard his home and humans? Yes that’s apart of the breed’s nature but the one I expect to do all this is the lump currently sleeping next to me. I can hold my own to a point; I grew up with guys with military training but I expect the bf to be up with the pry bar long before I should have to get involved.
And honestly I will expect Beej to be back by my son’s room simply as a matter of where its positioned in relation to our two doors.
By willowGSD, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
As a deterrent for a casual thief or attacker any dog is good.
A criminal will always go for an ‘easier’ target.
I agree though that someone who is determined to hurt you will find a way round the dog even going as far as poisoning or shooting the dog.
My dogs have total freedom in the house and have always been encouraged to bark when someone comes, but I don’t understand how people call a dog chained up outside a ‘Guard’. They are far too easy to avoid!
I think some small breeds of dog can be just as much a deterrent as a large dog. I knew a Pomeranian who was every bit as good a guard as my Shepherd and far more likely to ‘attack’! Mine barks and then comes to us. Not sure if she is protecting me or expecting me to protect her. LOL
By Lioness, August 20, 2010 @ 2:56 pm
I have heard that one of the most "avoided" breeds of dog are the Chihuahua…simply because they never shut up – they’re like little built in alarm systems. Makes perfect sense to me.
I absolutely think they serve as a deterrent. If someone could break into my apartment, or the apartment across the hall, I don’t know why on earth anybody would choose mine with two barking dogs on the other side of the door. Why risk getting bit?