Should Your Dog Serve As Your Home Security

Debi McNeil woke up to the sound of commotion at 2 A.M. Her family's Catahoula-Aussie and Labrador were barking hysterically at something outside.

Debi heard their screen door close and yelled to her husband that someone was trying to break in. However, the person had a change of heart, and Debi said she saw the person retreat down the stairs and run away.

The couple called the police, but the culprit was gone before the officers arrived.

Debi credits her dogs for repelling the intruder. "I'm sure it could've been different if they didn't scare him away and alert us," she said.

According to several studies and surveys of convicted offenders, a dog may help prevent break-ins and keep your house safe. Burglars avoiding homes with dogs is common sense since dogs may bark to alert the occupants or even attack.

However, if your dog doesn't naturally react to strangers, should you train them to? Barbara Davis, the president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), cautions against it.

"If you get a dog and train them to hate people and put them out in your backyard, that dog will likely bite anybody for any reason. You're leaving yourself open to tremendous liability." Barbara says.

According to experts, your dog shouldn't be your primary defense in keeping your home secure. Additionally, the last thing you want is for your dog to get injured during a break-in.