How to Make It Seem Like Your Dog is a Great Home Security System

When trying to decide whether a dog makes a good security system, the answers are not definitive. The answer to this depends on a lot of varying factors including the type of dog you have and its temperament. But, the fact is that the simple act of having a dog can, at least, help keep your home safe.

There are a few different ways you can make it seem like your dog is a great security system, even if all they would actually do to an intruder is lick them to death.

Don’t Discourage Barking-

This may seem like bad advice, but there is a right and a wrong time for your dog to bark. Allowing your dark to bark as someone approaches your house, even if they are harmless, assures you that they will bark if that person is not harmless. Discouraging barking will only diminish the dog’s instinct to protect its family. Instead, allow them to bark a little then teach them a command that will get them to stop once you and the pooch have determined there is no threat.

In fact, teaching your dog to bark on command can be even more effective as this gives you the power to discourage anyone your dog may not have noticed from entering the home. This will help in public as well if you are being approached by someone and feel threatened.

Allow Your Dog to See Outside-

Once your dog knows to bark at those approaching the house, make sure they are actually able to see those approaching the house. If the dog stays home alone during the day or at night, give them a spot to look out the window. Many dogs get stressed and will cause damage if they feel trapped or secluded so allowing them a place to peak is a smart move anyway. This will guarantee they will bark as someone approaches and those that need to drop off mail or packages can simply do their jobs while others looking to do harm will think twice before entering a home with a barking dog.

Leave Signs of Your Dog Outside-

Don’t want strangers to even approach your house? Leave signs of your dog, such as toys or bowls, where they are visible to those passing. You could also put up an invisible fence sign (even if you don’t have one) giving the illusion that if they pass the perimeter they will be approached by Fido. Leave signs in the backyard as well, such as a dog house or bones. Have a little dog that wouldn’t be very scary? Leave a bone bigger than they would actually use laying around to paint an exaggerated image of Fifi.

Get a Beware of Dog Sign-

Yes, they may be a little tacky, but a Beware of Dog sign can definitely make a point. The sign will give the impression that your dog is either very large or very vicious…or both, and should be approached with caution. Many burglars, fearing either barking or violence, will decide it’s better not to make a scene while trying to break into a home.

So, whether you have a threatening looking Pitbull that would simply try to snuggle with an intruder or a ten-pound schnauzer that would bite the ankles off anyone who entered their turf, having a dog that would make a great security system isn’t the point. Making burglars think your dog is an effective security system is key.