Protect Your House Against Burglary-GET A DOG!

I do believe you’d be hard-pressed to find one fellow Police Officer who disagrees with me when I recommend the best burglar alarm in the world… a dog. Now, my second recommendation may bring opposite opinions: that dog should be a German Shepherd.

My bias for this incredibly talented, disciplined, allegiant 2og comes from 20 years in the NYPD and witnessing some of the most amazingly talented K-9’s from the world’s greatest law enforcement agency.

I have seen some amazing feats like a k-9 jumping out of a police car, calmly marching through a crowd and sitting next to his handler. All the while the young crowd of juveniles was antagonizing the dog and he never blinked.

I have had the luxury of a dog going into a burglary scene before me – as a tool to protect the officer and capture the perp.

Now, as a Police Officer I cannot recall one time where, upon arrival at the many burglary scenes, were we ever greeted by a victim who was holding his family dog. I say this as someone who worked in some violent places like South Jamaica and Bedford Stuyvesant. The burglary rate was high during my time in both precincts and yet, not one time did I find a dog owner as a victim of burglary.

I have had two shepherds myself and had nothing but great experiences with both of them.

Keep in mind that burglaries are most commonly perpetrated by someone who knows the location; your LIPA man, your mailman, your neighbor – for example, you should be sure to let everyone know you’ve got a dog. Hang a ‘warning – dog’ sign on your fence, walk him/her often and if you’re not going to train the dog then pay someone to do it. You’re not doing your dog any favors by not having him trained – dogs need structure and discipline. It is what they live for; literally.

After spending many a weekend with Officer Bob Schnelle and his dog Tim, my shepherd Cenci (pronounced sensee, German for "leader") became an incredibly disciplined dog. So much so neighbors used to come to me asking me to help them train their dogs. Time has taken that wonderful dog from me and my family, we miss him dearly.

Now we move forward to today and we have a Lab – this was my family’s choice, but still a wonderful pet. He listens to me, he doesn’t need a leash when with me and everyone knows I have him. Granted, being a retired Police Officer affords me the luxury of Smith & Wesson too; but my dog Harley will let me know when someone is trying to break in and then they’ll have me to contend with.

If I’m not home Harley will still protect my home; simply with Omni-presence. I’m confident of that.

Commack, especially the Candy Section, has had a lately. If you see something suspicious call 911 – and if you’re at all hesitant, I hope this blog persuades you to get that dog you’re considering. Even a little pocket dog, as they call them, will at least bark to alarm you when someone is breaking in and that is the deterrent even a burglar knows about.

Burglars are inheritably wimps; committing their crime (commonly) when you’re not home. Believe me, a dog is so much more valuable than a silly burglar alarm sign; because that sign won’t call 911 and that sign will never beat the talents of a fully trained killer shitsu.