Probably the most common method of securing a home and yard in the Caribbean is for the home owner to get a dog. Many people love small dogs especially Pekinese, Pomeranian and terrier breeds, ascribing to them a high degree of alertness–plus they like the cuddly look and feel of these dogs. Certainly the alertness of these breeds is real and they can be fearless in defending their home. However, the majority of Caribbean individuals want large-breed dogs. Their logic is that the mere size of these dogs and the deepness of their bark are sufficient to deter any potential intruder.For many years in the 1970s and 1980s, the preferred breeds were German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, and to a lesser extent, the Labrador. In the 1990s, the Rottweiler breed became popular. Beginning around 2000, the pit bull became a popular breed.
Its reputation for fierceness made it popular, as well as the stories of this breed being used in dog fights and the belief that when it bites it does not let go. It became so popular that breeding was prolific, causing the price of puppies to fall. In addition, many cross bred pit bulls began to be available. With the lower prices, there was a further spread of the pit bull breed and many lower-income people acquired them.That reputation for fierceness and stories of unprovoked attacks on both people and other dogs caused many Caribbean governments to outlaw the breed and, in T&T, to impose restrictions.With the outlawing of pit bulls, the popularity of Rottweiler and German Shepherds has risen again and accordingly their prices.
There are, however, many people who, when offered the opportunity to acquire a pure-bred dog at a low price, do not question where the dog or puppy came from and why the price is low. As a result, the theft of pure-bred puppies is a common occurrence.In Europe and North America, dogs often live within the home or apartment with the owners and are taken for walks in the evenings and to the park on weekends. Indeed, some apartment complexes advertise themselves as pet-friendly to encourage dog owners to rent there.In the Caribbean, however, the prevailing attitude is that the dog is for outside and the furthest that it can reach to the inside of the home is the porch. As a result, many individuals, upon acquiring a puppy, immediately place it outside. They may bring it inside for a short period for the children to play with but predominantly the puppy is expected to be outside in the yard.
This attitude is definitely not good for some breeds of puppies especially Rottweilers, who are susceptible to the Parvo virus that kills up to 80 per cent of infected puppies, with the symptoms including lethargy, severe diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite and dehydration.Apart from the health issue however, leaving young puppies in the yard makes it very easy for them to be stolen.A puppy should be kept in an enclosed space which is cleaned and disinfected daily, and preferably twice per day. That enclosed space should be locked to prevent the puppy from wandering out, but, more importantly, to prevent someone from easily accessing the puppy.
Some individuals think that simply having a kennel and placing a cheap lock from the hardware is sufficient. That may be adequate to prevent the opportunistic thief who is simply walking by and spots the puppy in the kennel.Puppies are lovable especially because they want to be played with and handled. As a result, when placed in a kennel most puppies cry and howl because they do not want to be left alone. Some puppies cry for a very short period and then cease, while others howl for an extended period. That howling is often heard for a far distance and indicates to everyone that there is a puppy in the neighbourhood.
Unfortunately, that howling also alerts the more serious thief to the existence of a puppy in the area. For a serious thief, a cheap hardware padlock is not even a challenge.If someone invests in a pure-bred puppy with the expectation that it will grow into a large dog that will protect the home and family, then in the puppy stage of its life it should be kept in an area within the home. This area should be barred off to prevent the puppy from wandering into other areas of the home and chewing on the furniture.More importantly, the puppy should be left in this area when the family is not at home so it is not accessible to any thief during the day or night.Of course, when the family is at home the puppy can be let out to run and play and so strengthen its limbs, but even during this time the puppy should be under supervision to ensure that no one grabs it and runs away.
An additional protective measure is to have the puppy permanently identified by microchip or tattoo and if both are used, that is even better.The purchase of a pure-bred puppy can cost a significant sum but as that puppy matures it will usually display the traits that the particular breed is known for. When it is fully grown it will protect home and family.To safeguard that investment, however, requires taking steps to protect it in the puppy stage. It may be more work for the owner initially, but the payoff comes in the later years when the owner has a formidable guard dog.
The Caribbean Institute for Security and Public Safety provides training and development to organisations and individuals in many facets of security, law enforcement and public safety. Contact 223-6999 or info@caribbeansecurityinstitute.com