No, your dog is not a home security system

Posted April 26th, 2022 by SimpliSafe

While you might think your dog is ready to attack an intruder, they are likely more willing to accept a bribe of a tasty treat than a Motion Detector. But that doesn't make for an effective home security system. There are a number of factors that contribute to why your dog may not keep your home as safe as it could be.

Can your dog really protect your home?

A barking dog can be a great deterrent for burglars, but studies show a monitored home security system is actually more effective at keeping burglars at bay. In reality, once a burglar is inside the house, dogs are often in more danger than the burglar. 

There are a few reasons many law enforcement officials and security experts agree that dogs are great security, but home security systems are even better. 

Reasons why a home security system is your best bet:

1. Dogs can’t alert authorities in an emergency

This one may seem a little obvious, but in the case of an emergency, every second counts. And unfortunately, your dog’s bark may not be enough to alert you or even your neighbors. That’s why a home security system with professional monitoring is essential in these scenarios as police can be automatically dispatched when an alarm is triggered. 2. Your dogs may not be home 24/7 

Like most dog owners, there will be occasions where your dog is out and  about with you. Whether it’s running errands or going on a walk or on vacation, there will be situations where your home is unprotected and vulnerable. With a home security system like SimpliSafe’s professional monitoring, your home is protected 24/7.

3. If your dog is already a barker, when will you know when there is real danger?

Your dog may be a little… chatty whether it’s the mailman making an appearance or a squirrel scurrying by. The problem with consistent barking is that overtime, it’s easy to become desensitized as their owner. So when a real emergency happens, and your dog starts barking, how are you able to tell if it’s a ‘boy who cried wolf’ scenario without putting yourself (or family) in danger?

4. Putting your dog in harm's way

The worst case scenario with a break-in is if someone gets hurt, including your dog. If a skilled burglar makes contact with your home, your dog may not deter the intruder, but rather become another obstacle for him to bypass. The last thing anyone wants is to put their pets in harm’s way, and the risk is simply not worth it if your dog comes toe-to-toe with a burglar who may use violent tactics to silence him or her from alerting you. 

On the other hand, a home security system can alert you immediately while keeping you, your family, AND your pets safe. 5. Guarding against other risks

While a dog’s bark may spook an intruder, there are other risks that they are unable to bring to your attention. Modern home security systems have elevated the safety of your home by including preventative measures like smoke and CO detectors for fires and gas leaks, water sensors for flooding and damage, and cameras (indoor and outdoor) for cameras ready to record 24/7. 

So, let your furry friend kick back, relax, and let SimpliSafe do its job.

Interested in learning more about SimpliSafe? Meet the system here.