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CAN A SPECIALLY TRAINED DOG PROVIDE MORE RELIABLE SECURITY THAN AN ALARM SYSTEM AND FASTER DEFENSE THAN A FIREARM? BY PATRICK VUONG PHOTOGRAPHY BY HENRY Z. DE KUYPER
History has shown that there are three
security, executive protection, police
gun is the be-all-end-all of personal se-
things that man loves most in life: a
units, and the military. “But a highly
curity? Then you’d be wrong, says Wade
good woman, a loaded firearm, and a
trained German Shepherd has been a
Morrell of Priority 1 Canine. Prior to
loyal dog. And not necessarily in that
proven security addition to personal
starting his dog training and consulting
order. While all three can provide much
protection for more than 100 years.”
business, he worked as a police officer
comfort and joy, only one of those
RECOIL is taking an in-depth look
in Ohio for more than a dozen years
cherished necessities is guaranteed to
at how to harden your home (see page
and investigated hundreds of burglaries
be fighting by your side to the death …
104 for more). As part of this, we con-
committed at homes with computer-
and we’re not talking about the one that
sulted with numerous subject-matter
ized security systems. Yet, he had dealt
can run out of ammo or run off with
experts (SMEs) who all agreed that a
with just one home burglary where the
another guy.
dog can play a significant role in your
owner had a dog … and had been put
home-defense strategy. While a canine
in a kennel in a back room.
A well-trained dog can not only be a devoted family member, but also a
might not be practical or possible for
criminal deterrent, a reliable and keen
everyone (who knows, you might prefer
home for an intrusion,” Morrell asks.
alarm system, and a first line of home
*shudder* cats), a dog can certainly be
“Of course everyone says, ‘Well I would
defense. In fact, most experts say
a deterrent, alarm system, bodyguard,
just get my gun and shoot them.’ But
that a canine can detect and engage a
and weapon all rolled up into one furry,
what about the guy who is a heavy
threat long before you’ve even woken
muscular package.
sleeper? Or the woman who is in the shower getting ready for bed and didn’t
from your nightly coma — let alone stumbled to your gun safe. “Alarms systems can be circumvent-
“Say someone has targeted your
ALERT, ASSESS, ATTACK Not convinced that a four-legged
hear the intruder gain access?” A canine can provide sophisticated
ed and the police are not always there
friend is a good supplement to your
overwatch without ever having to leave
to protect you,” says CQB K-9 owner
home-defense strategy? Think that an
your property, thanks in part to its
Alex Dunbar, who trains dogs for family
alarm system is sufficient or that your
astounding senses of smell and hearing,