Canine Security

Some of you may already have a layer of protection you didn’t even consider: your dog! It doesn’t matter if Fido is big and intimidating or small and yappy – the presence of any dog can help scare off a burglar. Burglars are terrified of drawing attention to themselves. And the combined racket of an alarm, the dog, and the threat of police is enough to send them running.

That being said, your dog shouldn’t be your only level of security. If thieves realize the only thing standing in the way is a dog, they may come back with more severe weapons. It’s always good to have some signage indicating that yes, your home is protected. But let’s go back to your dog, and how best to protect them (while they’re protecting you.) Here are a few tips:

• Set Boundaries: If you don’t want them to chew on it, don’t put it in reach. This goes for anything ranging from shoes to chemicals. Consider designating areas of the house your dog isn’t allowed to go in as well, but make sure they have enough space to play and spend time.
• Tire Them Out: If you’re planning to be gone for the whole day, take them on a long walk before you leave, and consider coming back (if able) to let them outside. If your dog remains outside the entire time, make sure they have toys and adequate water. The last thing you want is your neighbors complaining because they barked the whole time you were gone.
• Protect Them: If you’re at work and something happens at home, will the authorities know to look for a dog? Many animals will hide when scared or hurt, and because people don’t know to look for them, it can become worse than it actually is. Invest in some signage indicating that a dog (or other animals) lives there, that way they can be helped first.

Having a dog around is a great thing. Your dog relies on you to do everything for it, so make sure you’re doing everything you can by keeping them safe. After all, it’s man’s best friend we’re talking about here.