Why dogs are great for security purposes?

According to statistics, 41% of households in the UK own pets out of which the majority are dogs. While there are other great pet options as well, such as cats and rabbits, there’s something about these canines that make them a favourite the world over.

Also known as man’s best friend, dogs provide loyalty and companionship like no other. They are full of love and warmth and are extremely possessive and protective of their owners.

These qualities make them an incredibly viable option and an age-old choice for security purposes. Dogs have been and still are used in situations where human lives, assets, livestock, and property need to be protected.

One thing to note here is that not all pet dogs are security dogs. There are thousands of dog breeds and while some are built to be protectors, others are just there to play with and look cute (not that it’s a bad thing).

Also, since criminals are getting smarter by the day, it can sometimes not be enough to just rely on your precious pup to protect you and your property. It is particularly important to implement other security measures, in addition to keeping a guard dog.

Read on to find out the qualities that make dogs great for security, the best and worst breeds for the purpose, and the most effective security measures you can take to protect your property from all kinds of threats.

WHY ARE DOGS GREAT FOR SECURITY PURPOSES?

Dogs are great. Period. Better than most humans out there, dogs are adorable goofballs who just want your love and time, and in return, they are willing to lay down their lives for you.

Having a dog has many benefits. They are one of the best stress relievers out there providing their owners with multiple health benefits and a better quality of life and are simply great to have around.

Here are all the qualities that make dogs great for security purposes:

Intelligence

Dogs are intelligent animals who, if trained properly, can pick up on discrepancies in their surroundings such as certain words, voices, and body language. They can evaluate situations to understand what is a threat and what isn’t.

Quite like sensors in security systems such as burglar alarms that pick up on movements and unauthorised access, dogs keep a vigilant eye on their surroundings and take action as soon as they detect something unusual. They usually bark in the attempt to scare away intruders and also to inform the owners of the intrusion.

Loyalty

To be as loyal as a dog – they say that for a reason. Dogs are one of the most loyal creatures on the planet with a heart made of gold.

They consider their owners their family and their owners’ homes their own. They develop what you call a territorial instinct and strongly identify with what they think is theirs by becoming extremely protective.

They can be trained not to listen to anyone’s commands or accept treats from anyone else other than their owners, making it very difficult to bribe them or divert their attention.

Quick reaction

For criminal’s, even a second of negligence on your part is enough to give them a chance to strike. Security dogs never let their guard down and are quick to take action.

Their ability to react quickly, coupled with their inherently curious nature of roaming around and sniffing things ensures that no suspicious behaviour goes unnoticed and that action is always taken. The first reaction that they give out is a loud bark, which is sometimes enough to startle the intruders.

Physical deterrence

A properly trained security dog will never harm someone for no reason. However, if you are a criminal looking to break into a property with a dog present inside, you must think twice.

Extremely alert and responsive, and with a natural hunting capability, if triggered, security dogs not just bark at criminals but also attack them if need be. Even if they don’t attack, the mere sight of their strong jaw and sharp claws is enough to scare away anyone trying to cause the owners and their property any harm.

BEST DOG BREEDS FOR SECURITY

Not all dogs are made the same. They all are equally lovable and adorable, but some might be more suited to serve as security dogs while others just to play fetch.

If you wish to have your property protected from intrusions and unauthorised access, it is very important to keep a dog specifically made and trained for the job.

Here are the top 5 best dog breeds for security purposes:

German Shepherd

Probably the first dog that comes to mind when you think of security dogs, German Shepherds are preferred by the police and military services all over the world because of their intelligence and obedience. They can be trained very easily and, despite their modest body weight, can be physically intimidating.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers have been a popular choice for security purposes and were originally bred to protect cattle and other livestock on farms. Known for their intelligence and strength, they are naturally inclined towards keeping a lookout for trespassers and intruders.

Doberman

A hardworking and loyal breed, Dobermans are a menacing presence due to their size and overall look. They are very protective and were originally bred to be aggressive, however, with the right kind of training and social skills, their temperaments can be controlled and they can be kept as both pet dogs as well as protectors.

Akita

Also known as the bear dog due to their ability to hunt bears, Akitas have strong protective instincts and are great for security purposes. They usually undertake their investigative work quietly and bark only if they find something suspicious.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Originally bred to hunt large animals such as lions, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are extremely brave and well-suited to be used for security purposes and require no encouragement to guard due to their naturally protective nature. They don’t bark too often and without reason, therefore, if your Ridgeback barks, be sure to take note.

WORST DOG BREEDS FOR SECURITY

The majority of dogs bark at the sight of a stranger on their property and prove to be great deterrents. However, while some breeds take action and prevent intruders from entering, others go ahead to greet them because of their incredibly friendly nature.

These dogs are great to be kept as pets, as are all dogs, but not so great at providing security because of certain characteristics.

Here are the top 5 worst dog breeds for security purposes:

Labrador Retriever

The most popular pet dog breed in the country with over 35,000 registrations in the past year, Labrador Retrievers are one of the friendliest dogs out there. This trait of theirs makes them overly trusting and not the ideal breed for security purposes.

Golden Retriever

Just as the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retrievers also greet strangers, even potential criminals, with the same enthusiasm and vigour as they would a family member. They are very likely to follow strangers and possibly show them around in exchange for a treat.

The Old English Sheepdog

Extremely gentle and lovable, the Old English Sheepdog is not a great choice as a security dog. They are great with children and even other pets, however, their over-friendliness with strangers makes them an easy target to lure away.

Basset Hound

Known for being slow and lazy, and even portrayed that way using cartoon characters such as Droopy and Byron Basset, Basset Hounds are pretty laidback with a love for lazing around all day. They are super lovable and great at picking up scents that they can follow, however, if an intruder tries to break into your property, they properly won’t even bother to get up.

Saint Bernard

With a reputation for being friendly giants, Saint Bernards are lovable creatures with a very kind personality. Though their size and loud bark might deter some intruders, there’s a high chance that they would follow them wanting to play with them instead of attacking them.

TIPS FOR KEEPING SECURITY DOGS

Caring for and providing a loving home for your pet dog is a necessity if you decide to keep one. Here are the top tips for keeping your security dog happy and getting the most out of them:

Proper training

The best security dogs don’t require much training since they have the innate ability to act as protectors. However, to teach obedience and basic commands, it is best to start early when they are most capable of learning new tricks.

Bonding

It is wrong and extremely cruel to assume that security dogs do not need love and affection. Developing a strong bond with your pup will not just make you and them happy but also help establish a sense of ownership so that they are quick to jump to your aid if need be.

Health and nutrition

Proper nutrition, along with love and training, is necessary for your security dog to keep you protected to the best of their abilities. Take care to not under or over-feed your dog, and maintain proper timings similar to how you would have for yourself.

OTHER SECURITY MEASURES TO TAKE

Dogs are wonderful creatures who provide not just protection but also immense love and care. Their friendly and playful nature helps lower stress in people that in turn helps fight against numerous health conditions.

It’s good to have a dog to protect your premises but they shouldn’t be your only line of defence against intruders. We’re not saying that dogs aren’t reliable; they most definitely are.

What we mean is that there are other, technologically advanced security measures that you can take, along with keeping a security dog, for maximum protection.

With dogs being stolen almost every other day from people’s houses, it is best to keep yourself and your precious mutts protected from such criminals.

Here’s what you can do:

Keep doors and windows locked

What do you do when you need to get inside a house? You look for the door, knock or ring the doorbell, and make your way in after getting permission from the owners.

A burglar does quite the same except they hope that the doors are unlocked and they can simply walk in, or that the locks are easily “snappable” to help them break-in.

When casing a house, burglars look for weaknesses in your security system and the first thing they look at is the main doors and windows.

The majority of criminals make their way in through these main entry points and what comes as a shock is that most of them aren’t even locked. Talk about making things easier for a burglar.

Your doors, windows, and locks are the most basic form of security out there and it is necessary to reinforce them before implementing any other security measure.

Focusing on the quality of the hardware is important along with the expertise with which they are installed, which is why it is recommended to call a professional locksmith to install, maintain, repair, and upgrade your locks to protect you and your property from unauthorised access.

Secure your perimeter

Do all that you can to secure the perimeter of your property to keep intruders at bay. When there’s no place to hide, all they can do is run.

This can be achieved through several security measures but you can start by lighting up the area. Burglars look for places to hide and stakeout, and their first choice is somewhere they are not too visible to people.

Naturally, this would be someplace dark and hidden. If all areas of your house, the front, sides, and back, are illuminated, chances are that the burglars would be seen by someone or the other and the police would be informed right away.

Smart lights are a great investment that have motion sensors in them that detect the slightest bit of movement and are automatically switched on. They can also be controlled from afar and can be timed to be automatically turned on or off according to your convenience.

Another thing you can do is to trim your trees to eliminate possible hideouts for burglars. Tall bushy trees provide a great cover for criminals before they break into your house.

However, with no place to hide, they might just drop the idea completely since it’ll become riskier for them. You could even plant thorny shrubs to make it not only difficult but also painful for intruders if they try to break in.

Install a burglar alarm

A burglar alarm is one of the most effective security measures you can take that works to serve two basic purposes; alerting inhabitants and neighbours of an intrusion, and scaring away potential intruders.

They work using a series of sensors that go off as soon as they detect any unusual activity, notifying the person-in-charge to take the necessary action.

Professional installation of the system coupled with professional monitoring services will have the system’s security increased tenfold because it employs the use of specialised sensors/alarms that are connected to a central monitoring station.

This central monitoring station, also known as the Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC), is manned by professionals keeping an eye out on your premises 24-hours a day without any form of interruption.

Put the area under CCTV surveillance

A burglar’s main allies are stealth and neglect. CCTV cameras make it nearly impossible to break in without getting noticed making them one of the best deterrents.

Experts believe that as many as 67% of domestic burglaries could be prevented if people had CCTV security systems.

A CCTV uses cameras and monitors to record events happening live and display them to be used for surveillance. The main purpose of CCTV monitoring is crime prevention and investigation.

Professional CCTV monitoring ensures that your property is being watched over by a professional monitoring staff in real-time. This is especially beneficial for when your home is unoccupied or in a vulnerable state, such as in a secluded area.

The real advantage of detecting a threat while it’s in progress is the action that can be taken to deal with it, such as alerting the police.

CCTV monitoring can also be used to see if someone is trying to lure away your security dog or causing them harm. You can take instant action and protect not just yourself but your precious dog as well.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

Calder Security provides you with a comprehensive solution for all your security needs that include not just professional installation but also monitoring repair, and maintenance services.

We are Yorkshire’s leading independent security company and are here to help you choose the best security systems for your property.

Contact us here or call us at 0800-612-9799 to talk to our certified experts.

Photo by Christopher Ayme on Unsplash