Should you get a guard dog? You may be noticing that many people, both in the city and in the country, keep guard dogs both as pets and as protection against home invasions. A guard dog can physically attack an intruder, or bark and growl until they turn away in favor of a more welcoming house to break into. At first glance, a guard dog may seem to be the perfect solution for a family that is looking into getting a pet and also wants to increase their home security. However, if you are considering this route, be sure to weigh the pros and cons before committing yourself to raising a dog.

One thing to understand about guard dogs is that they require specialized training. While many dog owners can handle basic obedience training, a true guard dog must be trained by a professional. Some even recommend sending your dog to a specialized kennel rather than keeping him at home during the training period. Having a guard dog means more than choosing a breed of dog known for being "guard dogs." Your dog must be trained to exhibit the proper behavior towards you, towards friendly people, and towards those you want to keep off your property.

It is also important to realize the potential dangers of having a guard dog, especially if you have children or other pets. Today the news is filled with stories of pit bulls and other "mean" breeds who have escaped their yard and hurt a child or another animal. Many breeds known to be good guard dogs are not necessarily the type of dog that would be a good addition to your family. They could exhibit aggressive behaviors even towards their owners. Even the best-trained dog is not 100% tame, and this is something you must consider before buying a dog to protect your family.

Whether you are considering a guard dog or just a family pet, it is important to realize that raising a dog takes time and energy. Dogs need food, water, shelter, and exercise. If you leave for extended periods, your guard dog can't stay there to guard your house- he'll need to go to a kennel that will take care of him. Considering that many burglars wait until the family's vacation time to strike their home, this is a major downside of relying on guard dogs as home security.

If you're not sure if you're up to the challenge of keeping a guard dog, there are alternatives. Barking dog alarms have the recorded sound of a dog barking. These alarms, most of which work using motion detectors, will start "barking" when a criminal approaches. Virtually indistinguishable from the growl of a real guard dog, these effective devices require none of the care of a real guard dog, and with the same benefit. Another option is to place "caution: guard dog" signs around your property. Even if you don't have a dog, this is often enough to scare criminals away. Neither of these devices has a chance of biting you or a family member, yet any criminal will be worried that they will get bitten by the guard dog you don't have. This watchdog never sleeps, protecting your home 24-7.

Though dogs make great pets for many families, a good home security plan will protect your home and family in ways a dog simply can't. Dogs will not save someone who has fallen into the pool, like a swimming pool alarm. Nor can they sniff out carbon monoxide or fires, or let the authorities know that something has happened in the home. Although a dog can be a great companion, it is not the best home security system. If you're looking to maximize your home security, look towards devices designed for this purpose.