So a few weeks back we had someone try to break into our garage. There was some damage to the side door, but they did not get in. That same week, my boyfriend caugh someone looking in our windows. The person ran away as soon as he saw that my boyfriend had seen him. Police have not been too helpful, other that to tell us the obvious, that someone may attempt to break into our house. We are trying to minimize the time the house is left unattended, but there are times when both my boyfriend and I are at work. The entire situation is awful, but honestly I'm more worried about the dogs than anything. Thankfully we are moving in the end of June! It can't come soon enough!

So my question is this, when the dogs are home alone, would they be safer in the crate or out of the crate? They usually have the run of the house, but I still have crates up because they both like to rest in their crates. Would they be safer in the crate because the wouldn't get in a thief's way, or would a crate make them easy targests? I'm sure they would bark at someone who they did not know entering the house, but they would probably just try to hide. I'm not sure if there really is a "best" option for this sort of situation, but I'd appreciate anyone elses opinion.

In my opinion, I'd say out of crates so they wouldn't be so easy to catch.. but then I'd say in crates so that if they came from the door and weren't interested in the dogs, the dogs wouldn't be able to slip out of the door and run away. It's a tough call for sure :S

IMO out of crates. Depending on the would be thieves they might not know Husky is a friendly breed and may get scared at the sight of dogs.

So, my boyfriends mother lived in a big house out in the country in a big field , and she is a widow so after he sons moved out she was all alone. same thing happened to her, knock on the window while she was there. state troopers were no help.. wouldnt you know. they broke in and stole over 20,000 dollars worth of hunting rifles and jewelry and electronics, and came back for more. they were never found.. and needless to say, she sold the house and got one in town.. but to your question .. out of crates.. i would think most people will not want to rob some with some big dogs just roaming in the house. even if they don't think they are mean dogs

I don't know if in or out the crates would be better either.. there are pros and cons to both

Hopefully now they know they've been seen by your bf they won't bother

To be honest I'd say in. For the simple reason that odds are they are looking to steal things not get into a confrontation with a dog. I'd say this from the perspective solely on keeping your dogs safe.

Most break ins are actually during the day and smash and of the grab variety. If they're in a crate someone would have to go out of their way to open it likely relegating themselves to potential attack since they don't know the demeanor of it.

I'd call your local police stations chief if you aren't getting results. They can have units patrol that area more frequently if resources are available.

How about leaving the dogs loose in a single room with nothing of value? This way if they are barking the intruders will know there are dogs in the room and if they question the safety they may skip that room. And on the flip side if they do go into the room the dogs have a fighting chance of protecting themselves or running away from harm and won't be easy to catch.

That's what I do anyway. I keep my sibe baby gated in the master bedroom (we have an extra tall walk through baby gate). This way if someone does break in they can see him and know he's not a threat so long as they don't enter the room. But he also has the ability to escape or defend himself if they do enter and he won't be as easy to catch and take as a dog in a crate.

I am sorry you have to go through this worry!!! Tough call either way. I agree, tho, that it would be safer for the dogs to be in the crates. If the persons wanted to steal the dogs, or let them out, it's gonna happen either way. Go to Walmart and get a cheap-o security camera or two and mount them around or even a "smile your on camera" sign...just could be enough to scare them off. Obviously, we are not talking about very bright individuals here.

id leave them out. most people are wary of strange dogs regardless of breed. the bigger the scarier they are to people. the thief has no clue if they are friendly or not. Heck, you could even put up a few "Beware of Dog" signs to make it even more deterring for them lol. the signs cost pennys on the dollar dn theysell them at walmart.

I know that you can buy these kits with a security type camera online for less than $100 if your really nervous. My friend had a package or two stolen from his door while he was at work and so he bought the kit and can monitor his house from anywhere and hasn't had an incident since.

I was gonna say what val did. I would also look into a temp home security system till u move. Or at least put up a sign even if its a fake saying the home is being watched.

Thats terrible Melissa, I'm glad nothing happened so far, and that you are moving.
My grandmothers place was broken into once and after that we put up a sign that says protected by ADT Security Alarms. I dont know if it deterred anything really, but it didn't happen again.
You could also get a beware of dog sign, sometimes that deters robbers as they either don't want to get bit, or they know a dog would raise an alarm with the barking.
I hope then next few weeks pass quickly with no incident for you.

That sucks! I would try the signs and the cameras even the fake out cameras. My sister had a similiar problem out here in wheeling she tried taking my moms rott mix cause he barks at everything and will charge people but it didnt work he literally broke the front door in half because he didnt like being seperated from her female puppy and couldnt be trusted with her. We've been having a lot of behavioral problems with him, the dog ended up back in our house and my sister was sleeping on the couch by the door for a few days because they couldnt get a new onw till pay day. They still have to replace the back door to the garage and fix the hole thats now in the garage wall to outside. I'd be inclined to agree with val's suggestion that way if anything did happen maybe the dogs would still be safe, you just never know with people now a days. At least you have moving to look forward to! Where are you in illinois?

Thanks everyone for your input! I think I'm going to try blocking them in our spair bedroom for now, which has already been packed up for the most part, so its pretty obvious there is nothing of value in there.

Already purchased a beware of dog sign, but a security camera or even a fake one would be a good idea.

We live in the Quad Cities, East Moline to be exact. We don't live in a bad neighborhood per say, but close enough to one that it tends to be an issue for homes in my area.

Thanks again!

Good luck. We have an alarm system, an alarm yard sign, and we have 3 security cameras set up around the house monitoring inside and outside the house. Never had a break in or even an attempt but we're very cautious. Lol