I need a big outside dog . . .

[turtlelowe]

I think someone was casing our house last weekend and I haven't slept well since. We live out in the sticks in rural Missouri. Our neighbor got hit two weeks ago and the cops think the guys who hit our neighbors were part of a larger group who has been hitting places around here lately. Of course, the cops won't come out here until after we get robbed so I need a deterrent. Maybe a big dog would help.

[Heidi]

1. Welcome to DU, turtlelowe!

:hi:

[turtlelowe]

6. Wado (Thanks in Cherokee)

Wado for the welcome. I am happy to be here.

[Heidi]

9. Osiyo, turtlelowe.

:hi:

[turtlelowe]

12. Not many around who recognize the language

That was a pleasant surprise!

[Heidi]

13. I grew up

in the heart of the Cherokee Nation, but my maternal grandmother was the last generation to speak Cherokee to me, so I don't remember much. :blush:

[purr]

2. Security system?

How about some outside lights that come on with motion? Theres a lot of things to do other than getting a dog. If you want a dog so be but I think your better off with a security system right now.

[Robb]

3. The Home Despot (and others) have motion sprinklers

They kick on whenever anything goes past 'em. :)

Good for keeping deer off stuff, too. :thumbsup:

[turtlelowe]

4. I don't know about the security system

We are installing motion sensitive lights this weekend. But I am not so sure how effective a security system would be. We live way out in the sticks, the last time we called the cops they told us it would take at a bare minimum of 20 minutes for county to get to our part of the world. City won't come out here because we live outside of city limits, so we are at the mercy of either state or county being close enough to respond in time to help.

[purr]

5. Its more or less a deterrent...

They hear that siren or the first beeping of the alarm and I would bet that they're gone. When someone opens the door or windows while my alarm is on, the thing starts beeping and then 10 seconds later the siren starts going off. It is LOUD. I highly doubt they're going to stick around :)

[turtlelowe]

7. We may have to give it a try

At least I might be able to sleep again.

[AirmensMom]

8. Get a couple signs

that say, "Beware of dog." Or my favorite (with picture of a dog, your choice of breeds) -- "I can make it to the fence in 2.8 seconds. Can you?" http://www.signswithanattitude.com/breeds/german_shepherd.html

And a dog house. If they see these things and don't see the dog, it can be pretty intimidating. Don't get a dog unless you really want a dog.

A security system is a good idea, even if the cops can't get out there in time. The loud noise would probably scare a burglar away. They don't like to risk a lot of attention.

[Catchawave]

10. A dog is a fabulous "inside" wireless alarm system too !

Also Beware of the Dog signs around your property? Maybe even security alarm sign warnings help too?

[turtlelowe]

11. My boss offered me some ADT stickers

She said that just having them might help. We have the "inside" wireless alarm system, his name is Spot (real original, huh). But a five pound pomeranian isn't that intimidating. Especially this one, he just wants to be loved on all of the time. I do like the idea of the "Beware" signs. We may have to pick up a few on our trip in to town today.

[WolverineDG]

14. Get some geese

I'm not kidding. Geese can't be bribed. :)

dg

[graywarrior]

16. No kidding. And they're relentless.

[Benfea]

18. Unfortunately, geese produce an enormous amount of feces...

…and have horrible personalities to boot.

No thanks.

[graywarrior]

21. Think future energy source.

[Minnesota Libra]

15. Been there, done that one - bit of advice here......

......I too had the issue of roaming gangs to deal at one time when I lived in another city.

If you can afford it, hire one or more guard dogs for over night or maybe just the week ends. At least until the word gets out that you have guard dogs on site. BTW, be sure to post plenty of signs with and without words for the potential idiots who think the dogs might be pets.

Then get/buy yourself a Doberman, Rotwieler (sp?), or German Sheppard puppy and raise the dog yourself. If you can, get a male dog, and make sure the dog understands you are the leader of his pack. DO NOT have the dog fixed, at leas not for a couple of years, because then they get lazy. Yes, by all means, socialize the dog but don't overly socialize him. The most important thing is to hand feed him and then teach him to set between you and whoever you are talking to at the time. A Doberman, Rotwieler(sp?), or German Sheppard will grow up to be a watch dog on their own, that's what they were bred for.

Most people don't care for these three breeds of dogs but I've had German Sheppards and Dobermans and NEVER had a problem with any of them.

I hope this helps because I know from experience how hard it is to deal with day to day life when you are concerned about your safety.

[China_cat]

17. A dog kept in the yard won't do much good

because without interaction with its 'pack' the animal has no reason to protect. A dog raised (or just kept) as part of the family will always have a reason to be on the front lines, so to speak. A dog in the yard is also an easy target for anyone with meat laced with poison/antifreeze, etc.

Contrary to what the other poster said, neutering will NOT make a dog 'lazy'. It will prevent a lot of dog to dog aggression in males (and dog to people aggression) but it is only their family allowing them to lay around that makes a dog 'lazy'. It also isn't the breed that makes a protector, nor the age. You might not be able to train an older rescue dog for schutzhund but you aren't looking for ring sport, you're looking for something that will be an early warning system and possibly take a bite out of crime. I've got an 8 year old pug cross that I adopted just over a year ago who will do just that because she's happy to have a home. But her bigger 'sisters' are the ones that keep people away, just from their looks.

Beware of the dog signs can cause you more trouble than they're worth. Most insurance companies today don't want to insure you if you have dogs to start with but they'll flatly tell you that putting a sign out is advertising that you have a bad dog. Check with yours before you do. You don't want to make your property safe only to lose it because your insurance company cancels you and you can't get new.

My DEW (dog early warning) line;



Dottie (far right on the couch) when groomed.

[Bzzzz]

19. A Rottie...

hands down!!! We've had two and they are wonderful, loving dogs and very intimidating. Take them to obedience school...you'll have a friend for life. :)



This is a pic of our 'big guy'...he passed away over Labor Day weekend last year. He was an absolute baby and wonderful companion. I ALWAYS felt safe with Bocor around. We really miss him. :cry:

[Broken_Hero]

20. Yeah...:)

We do need an outside dog...the motion lights is a good thing, we should at least look into the prices, and what nots...Those same idiots had me worrying big time also....

:) Its about time you came around DU more often, love you...:)

[xchrom]

22. todays burglars are prepared for a dog -- they either

shoot them or blind them{permanantly} with hairspray.

among other things.

having been through this and i have it from the cops -- outside of barking -- which alone isn't deterrrent enough -- your dog will do little to keep someone from getting in your house.

think about it -- everyone has a dog anymore -- but they are still breaking in.

burglars -- like most other humans adapt to the situation.

[henslee]

23. I hear Geese are a good deterent. Make a lot of noise when someone comes.