Do You Have a "Beware of Dog" Sign?

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Kestrel

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I'm thinking of getting a sign that says something like "Beware of Dog", to put near my front and back doors. My dog would probably hold the door open for burglars and show them to the silverware, so it's not to warn of my dog, but to make people think there is a big dog in the house when we're not there.

Is this a silly idea? Actually, I am planning to get a larger dog for some added protection for my wife and child when I'm out of town. She has a gun, but the dog is just another layer. (I'm probably getting a Doberman or Akita.)

I think I've read there can be legal ramifications if your dog ever did bite someone and you had a sign like that...

Thanks for any thoughts,
Steve
 
We have a rather large red male Doberman and I have three "Beware of Dog" signs posted. One is on our back fence which borders an alley and a bar. The sign, and the sound of my dog barking (he has a very deep bark) keeps people from hanging out near the fence.

There is another sign on the gate along side the house, which leads to the back yard. And a sign near my front door.

No one has been bitten, because no one,except the neighbors (which the dog knows) will come near my house :D

I had my dog out the other day and was taking him from the truck to the house when one of the neighborhood kids saw him and said...."oh my god, look at the size of the dog!" Atleast I won't have to worry about them doing any mischief near the house!.
 
I don't know that you need a 'big' dog as much as one that is alert and makes lots of noise when appropriate. A "Beware of Dog" sign can't hurt, though, it might make a reasonable person think twice (not that I'm implying criminals are either reasonable or bright) and it may mitigate some liability if some one comes in your yard and gets bitten - they were warned.
 
Yes I do have a sign at the front door. It's rather small but visible to all who approach my domicile. I have taught my dogs to bark whenever someone knocks at the door and if I'm inside and encourage this behavior, will attack as soon as the door is opened. I'm not sure what would happen if the door were forced open but I like to think it would be ugly for Mr. Burglar. :evil:
 
A good dog should announce its alertness by itself. I just have a "small" Doberman left but he takes care of business. My two Great Danes and one large Rottweiler all deceased this year of old age.

An aggressive and alert dog will deter more than any warning posted. Once a good dog defends its family, it knows no fear of law suits or for its own life, especially with some Schutzhund training.
 
I have no signs. My dog posts his own signs at the windows (snarling teeth). He almost nailed a cop who walked up to the door once when just the screen door was closed. Cop was on top of it and held the door until we got him under control. He was visibly shaken of course. No disrespect intended to cops, but I did have to tell the dog good boy, as this is his job.

My dog seems to have a good grasp on his job. Friends who come over while we're home he's playful in his greetings. The same friends come over when no one is home and my friends tell me that he acts like he'll come through the window.
 
The dog I have now is a great watchdog, but he's too small to be a deterrent (weighs less than 30 pounds). When I go out of town, my wife has to walk the dog (and take our small child with her). If someone were to pull up and try to grab them, day or night, I would like a larger dog that could back up his bark or give a thug pause because of his size and breed.

Thanks again,
Steve
 
Yes, but it's a third of a mile down the driveway, by the locked gate, next to 'No Trespassing' signs that dirt bikers don't seem to be able to read.

For you urban dwellers (or anybody without a dog for that matter), you can get a gizmo that hangs on the inside doorknob and makes barking noises if the door is disturbed. And you never have to feed it or take it to the vet.
 
My dogs are not wonderful watch creatures . Someone needs to be at my door for them to be excited , but if they aren't allowed upstairs , they'll be damned if anyone else is coming up either . When I'm out in the yard with them , they don't have any issues with someone driving up in their car or coming past on a bike and I prefer it that way : both are full grown English Mastiffs and I do not need to deal with people aggression with them . Their sheer size is a good deterrant and they have an excellent sense of who *belongs* and who doesn't . I don't have any fear of someone coming inside and giving them a "nice doggie" to get upstairs ; even the neighbors who play with them need permission to come inside - and they better not go upstairs :D
 
I`ve kept a Beware Of Dog sign on the fence for a long time.If I could have a miniuture Sheppard trained as guard dog I think that would be peachy.If I had my moms old Yorkshire Terrier I`d be happy.That little sucker would bark his head off and chase off much larger dogs.A little dog that will bark enuf to wake you out of a dead sleep is worth more than a big dog that will sleep thru a home invasion.Dogs are like people,they all have different personalities.Thats why they have shrinks for dogs.
 
Yes
I have a 70 or so pound Pit Bull. He usually has the heart of a Beagle, but I just don't trust him oor the kids in the neighborhood.

Three times I have caught kids taunting the dog either by slapping the fence or hitting it with a stick.

This ha resulted in two confrontations with irate fathers and a visit from the police who advised me to

1) Put up BAD DOG signs so they wouldn't have an excuse if the dog did bite them through the fence or when they stick their hands over it to smack the dog.

2) Never invite the little darlings in to meet the dog up close and personal

3) Never explain to them that they will look like a popsicle when I get to them and their stick.
 
Just for another point of view, A "Beware of Dog" sign may be a problem if your dog happens to get out and someone claims that he bit them, it could be used as "proof" that you knew you had a "problem dog". Of course I read this on the internet. :rolleyes:
 
If your dog gets out and off your property and bites someone it doesn't matter what sign or lack of sign was posted, your going to be liable for the bite, unless you can prove the bite was provoked.

If the dog bites someone on your property, then the dog was just doing its thing.....protecting its territory.
 
I've actually thought about making a sign that says something like, "NOTICE: Large Dog on Premises". A sign like that doesn't say "Beware", like you're warning of a dog that bites, but leaves an unspoken warning that leaves the danger up to their imagination.
 
No, I don't have a sign.
And no, my dog doesn't bark when someone is outside.

But, if you get in the house, you will realize you made one of the biggest mistakes of your life.
My dog isn't about show, he is all go. He dosn't want to scare you away. He is hoping you come in.
 
Yes. I figure it is fair warning for city or utility employees (e.g. gotta look over my fence to read the meters). Even though my lab is unlikely to bite anyone.
 
SteveW, I've seen "notice" -like signs around here. They translate approximately to "Dog in yard. Close the gate! ".
 
No dog signs posted anywhere. I don't want to give away that advantage.

The Contessa Monique is a 130-lb. Dogue de Bordeaux (Hooch) that is highly territorial and very protective of her yard /house/family. She roars at anything coming up the considerable driveway. The delivery men usually leave the parcels a ways off from the front door as she is rather convincing when she wears her "war face."

Exceptionally trained, she is a wonderful first line of defense.
 
I've heard that the "Beware of" signs actually give you some protection if somebody gets chomped in your back yard - at least that way they have some notice that there is a risk in coming into your yard (which is a good thing). My three dogs are fairly territorial, so I'm not too worried about somebody getting past them, but I wouldn't like to get sued, or risk a court order to put down a dog.
 
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