The benefits of having a dog are well documented. Dogs make wonderful companions, can help us when we’re feeling sick or down and encourage us to lead a more active lifestyle. They can even offer some protection.
However, dogs should not replace a monitored security system from a reputable home security company. If you’re relying on your German Shepherd for protection or thinking about getting a Rottweiler to guard your home, you’re leaving your home and family unprotected.
Let’s look at some of the reasons why guard dogs don’t take the place of a home security system.
Your Dog Could be Injured or Stolen
Ideally, you should have layers of protection. This means that you might have locks on your doors and windows, a dog to bark if someone breaks in and a home security system. But relying on a dog is not enough, especially if a burglar knows it’s the only thing standing in their way.
Burglars won’t have a problem hurting or stealing your dog if they are determined to get in. It happens all the time. If your dog is injured or stolen, now you have a situation on your hands where you have zero protection and a false sense of security.
Your Dog Might Not Want the Responsibility
Even if you train your dog to be aggressive toward intruders, how do you really know how they will act in a threatening situation? Not all breeds stand up to intruders in the first place, and some will back into a corner if they feel vulnerable. Again, relying on your dog gives you a false sense of security.
Your Dog isn’t Always Home
Chances are, your dog has a bit of a social life. You might take your dog on walks or to the dog park. Your pet might visit the vet once a month to get groomed or take part in a training program. Either way, your dog doesn’t stay in your home, but a home security system does.
Your Dog Can’t Record Videos
Like we said before, dogs are great companions. We love them, too. But they are not a replacement for a home security system, especially one that has video monitoring. If you add motion detectors and security cameras to your system, you can see anything from anywhere. You might even be able to record a burglary. Plus, you can monitor the temperature in the home, check in on the kids and even get a break on your homeowners insurance.
It’s great to have pets that you can count on, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Having a dog that stands up to intruders might be a layer of protection, but you can’t seriously count on your pet to protect your home like a home alarm system can.
