Yes, sound activated barking dog alarms do work. When triggered they produce a booming sound effect just like a dog’s barking which acts as a deterrent to burglars trying to enter your home. The loud sound prevents them from carrying out robbery quietly, and thus as per recent surveys installing such alarms has been linked to reduced break-in rates in various regions.
But are they as effective as real canines??? Let’s unveil the answer.
Are sound activated barking dog alarms effective?
Before starting with the topic, here is a brief introduction to the security device and how it works.
As the name suggests, these security devices work by tracking unfamiliar sounds around the property when turned on. So, upon detecting disturbances, the alarm sets off representing a dog’s barking. Based upon their design, the device detects either sounds, motion, or both using radars and wires that are circulated along the property.
So, when a burglar or a stranger approaches your home, the alarm goes off automatically, giving the illusion of a really angry dog roaming and protecting the area. This in turn deters their motive of breaking-in and hence has been proven quite useful across many regions.
The same has also been confirmed by several studies like that of Jack MacLean’s interview with 300 prison inmates. This interview confirmed that burglars were scared of and never attempted breaking into houses that were associated with dogs. And while a majority of them were not afraid of the dog directly, they showed reluctance when it came to the noise that came along with their unfriendly approach to the property. All that barking interfered with their plan and therefore robbers typically avoided properties with dogs.
So are dogs better or sound activated barking dog alarms?
When compared between a full fledged, muscular canine and sound activated barking dog alarms, there are pros and cons to both sides, and thus no one emerges as the winner.
To understand this better, we have arranged the differences in a tabular form below.
| Factors | Real Dogs | Barking Dog Alarms |
| Cost | Recurring costs as long as the canine lives | One-time expense |
| Security | The dog will not only bark and scare away strangers but will also indulge in attacks if trained to do so | Only effective when it comes to the sound caused with the attempted entry |
| Safety | A better choice | Not much effective |
| Sound capacity | Depends upon the canine breed | Some devices can be customised to increase the barking sound |
| Maintenance | Lifelong maintenance will be necessary | Annual upgradation or circuit check-up is a must |
| Resistance to weather | Will happily offer their guarding services in all weathers or climates | Some devices may damage or start acting up when drenched in rain or snow |
| Reaction to strangers | Unless specifically of guard dog breeds or trained to protect, some dogs may show welcoming behaviour to strangers | The machine will set alarm every time a strange sound or motion is detected around the property |
So, like we discussed above here, there is no winner in the fight between actual dogs and sound activated barking dog alarms for protection purposes. Based upon your individual needs, you can choose whatever option goes best with you.
For instance, if you don’t have a dog and can’t afford to keep one, then these alarm systems are a must-have. You can plant the wires all around the property to ensure that your home is well protected along with its family members. There are a lot of varieties which work differently and hence it is essential to carefully go through their working principle and specifications before making a choice.
However if you have a dog and want him/her to protect your premises, even during your absence, then positive reinforcement training is your best bet. Although almost all canines are territorial, some canines may be over-welcoming to everyone, such as in the case of Labrador retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and other family oriented canine breeds.
In such a case, use treats to lure them into alerting you everytime someone unfamiliar passes by your lawn or rings the doorbell. Praise the dog when it barks at the sudden strange sound and don’t forget to add in some delicious treats. Performing this little task will help the pup learn the behaviour fast, therefore aiding in your bid to protect your house and your family from burglars and vandalists.
So, this was all about the sound activated barking dog alarms. If you want more such interesting topics, don’t forget to comment down your favourite topics in the comment section and we will soon cover them.
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