YOUR FAMILY & PERSONAL SECURITY

How can we be safe?

We are bombarded almost daily with horrible images of grieving families after the kidnapping and/or murder of their daughters, we hear horrific tales of women raped while jogging, cars are stolen literally as we drive. What do all of these occurrences have in common? Simple. The victims did not have a good dog with them.

Tam Cordingley © TheDogPlace.org 2002 - Those of us who have good dogs know the feeling of security it gives to have a well-trained and well behaved dog always with us. It need not be a big “guard dog” breed, though that helps, but even a toy dog barking to defend it’s master will ward off most criminals. Criminals thrive on quiet. That is why they will almost always give the victim and any witnesses the command to be quiet or I’ll kill you. Try that with my 18 pound Fox Terrier!

The kidnappings from under the noses of family members would not happen. At the first sign of a window or door opening after bedtime the dog gives loud alarm. This wakes everyone in the household and eliminates the criminal’s need for stealth. Not a dog in an outside kennel, or locked in the garage, but lovingly keeping watch in or near the bedrooms of the family. Dogs will protect their territory and their pack members and their people are their pack members.

My eighty four year old Mother recently moved next door to me along with her ancient Pomeranian. While at my house for dinner one night she kept petting and admiring the resident German Shepherd. We asked her if she would like a big dog also and her answer was a resounding “YES”. Mom has always been fearful, probably from growing up in Chicago, she always locked every door even if going into the yard, shut and locked every window, and quaked at every fallen branch. Goodness, have things ever changed since getting Dozer. He is a Great Pyrenees-Lab cross, huge, yellow, 10 months old. This big puppy met his new charges, little old Mom and little old Encore (the Pomeranian), and his eyes literally lit up. He had his flock.

The Great Pyrenees is bred to protect flocks from predators and thieves. The whole group of “guardian breeds” is so interesting because of their strong sense of responsibility. We were fortunate in finding Dozer as he combines the strong responsibility of the Pyr with the easy care coat of the Labrador. He looks like a giant yellow Labrador. He is unfailingly gentle with both of his old ladies, never pulls or steps on them, and his loud ringing bark makes both feel safe. When anyone comes to the door he steps between Mom and the intruder, stops, raises his huge head and thunders a warning. Mom has quit worrying about people looking in the windows, stealing her things, or getting murdered in her bed. She can even nap with the windows open with never a care, knowing she has an ever-watchful protector.

My UPS driver said “ you must sleep well at night” referring to the barking dogs. Of course I said yes, and then thought about it. I am never afraid, walk freely around the farm and drive comfortably in my car, all because I almost always have one or more dogs by my side. The dogs will let me know if anything is not right, even a fallen branch or a wheelbarrow out of place is noted.

Most breeds will fulfill the purpose of alarm dogs. You do not need to rush right out and buy a German Shepherd or Rottweiler, a Chihuahua will do. Most of the herding, terrier, and toy breeds will give the alarm, ditto for most working breeds. In many situations the only dogs that don’t always give the alarm are hounds and sporting dogs. Many will but also many won’t. Bred for hunting, their primary instincts are hunting not guarding. A notable exception is the German Shorthaired Pointer, they will guard, in fact many are downright sharp.

The most basic thing about having an alarm dog is the relationship you have with your dog. This dog should be a personal dog. Keep the dog with you whenever possible. The territory this dog should guard is the territory where you are.

In my situation my personal dog is Rosie, a small Smooth Fox Terrier. She is always at my left side. Riding in the car, on the couch, in bed, walking around the farm. Rosie is sweet with people and good with other animals, but no one can approach my car without being greeted by a low growl. No car can enter the drive without an alert bark. When walking outside if there is any unusual noise she is out there sounding the warning to the intruder.

If you are tired of worrying about security, forget the expensive electronic system. The burglar or kidnapper will be long gone by the time the police get there. Get a good dog, have it trained or train it yourself, and sleep soundly. No one can cut the wires to your security system. No one has to remember to set the thing. Just enjoy the company of a good dog and reap the benefits.