redkow97 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Hypothetically speaking, if an intruder breaks into my home in the middle of the night, how does that scenario play out with your family, and your dogs?Our dogs sleep in our bedroom, so as much as I'd like to grab a shotgun and hole up behind our bed, there's a very high probability that my dogs would be charging at the intruder the second he came in the room, or waiting by the door barking. It would be damn near impossible to use a shotgun for defense without hitting the dogs, or making that a substantial risk.With that in mind, I'm thinking a handgun is my best alternative.I fully acknowledge that my situation is unique from those with kids. In my case, once an intruder has gained entry to my home, my plan would be to take a defensive position. If they want to enter my room, they're getting holes put in them, but I'm not going to risk getting shot myself for a bunch of stuff that insurance will cover.For those with kids, I expect your first move is toward their room(s) to defend THEM instead. In that scenario though, your dog(s) is/are likely the first ones in harm's way. So what do you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-bus Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 I see my dogs as the first line of defense. My Shih Tzu will make more noise than my alarm and my lab will keep bringing him a ball until he tires and leaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruit Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 A shotgun will produce a fist-sized grouping at home-defense distances. That is well within the margin of aiming error in a dynamic situation. The shotgun has no higher risk of hitting the dogs that the handgun. I'd stick with the shotty. 00 buck is like getting hit by multiple 9mm rounds at the same time. The BG can take a couple hits from a pistol and keep going unless you score a vital CNS hit. I honestly cannot imagine a scenario where a shotgun firing 00 buck across a room and hitting centermass does NOT leave the BG pushing up daisies within seconds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn-e-rot Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 I have a very protective 137lb american bulldog I think the bad guys would be better off with me shooting them than if they tangled with the dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Jungle cat hybrid, way scarier than a dog... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn-e-rot Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 A shotgun will produce a fist-sized grouping at home-defense distances. That is well within the margin of aiming error in a dynamic situation. The shotgun has no higher risk of hitting the dogs that the handgun. I'd stick with the shotty. 00 buck is like getting hit by multiple 9mm rounds at the same time. The BG can take a couple hits from a pistol and keep going unless you score a vital CNS hit. I honestly cannot imagine a scenario where a shotgun firing 00 buck across a room and hitting centermass does NOT leave the BG pushing up daisies within seconds.Forget center mass aim for the head Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn-e-rot Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Jungle cat hybrid, way scarier than a dog...Did you steal one from Zanesville? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted January 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 I see my dogs as the first line of defense. My Shih Tzu will make more noise than my alarm and my lab will keep bringing him a ball until he tires and leaves.I honestly don't know if my dogs would even bark, unless they were reacting to MY shock and surprise. I mean, we discourage them from barking at every little noise they hear at 3 AM...if they SAW someone, then yes, but they sleep in our bedroom.And like you said, aside from noise, there's no guarantee my dogs are actually going to stop anyone. My beagle isn't going to attack an intruder unless a cat or a squirrel breaks in. My rottweiler has a lot more desire to guard our house, but I still wouldn't rely on him to be vicious. I'm not convinced he knows how... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simplysix Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Jungle cat hybrid, way scarier than a dog...Alex, “Ever hear of a dog?”, Dante “Anybody can get past a dog. But NOBODY fucks with a lion.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 My kid knows to lay on the floor under her bed because I will not be shooting that low. Do not worry about your dog, you will be amazed at the insticts a dog has in a situation like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Did you steal one from Zanesville?nah, my friend mari has one named Omar, very similar to the one pictured, but he has giant blue eyes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn-e-rot Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 nice now that is a cat I would own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbarron77 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 dog = alarm system8 Tibetan Mastiffs = Never locking your doors Stick with the shotgun, use a larger gauge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost1888 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 My dogs roam the home freely when we are home and not. If an intruder came in with my wife, 3 children and myself there the dogs will greet them and alert us and next to my bed is a loaded 380. Pop the trigger lock off and make my presence known that I'm armed and will shoot. Wife has been told to do the same. Once the family is secure call 911.In all honesty if I needed to fire my weapon and my dogs are in the the way. Bye bye dogs. Although with a snarling German Shepard and a Leopard dog looking you in the face I doubt they'd come in the door. If it came to the dogs safety or my kids and wifes safety the dogs come in last. People who know us for years won't (again) attempt to come in the house when their not invited because of my mangy mongrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gen3flygirl Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 dog = alarm system8 Tibetan Mastiffs = Never locking your doors Stick with the shotgun, use a larger gaugeYou have tibetan mastiffs in texas?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruit Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 I hope you're not set up in a way that the first you know abotu it is the BG make it to your bedroom...?Layers, layers, layers. Alarm system with keypad in bedroom. Reinforced door hinges and striker (4" screws right into the framing of the house) will slow them down long enough while making a helluva racket that you could reach a gun or something. Hope your gun is in a safe but easy-access location in the bedroom... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbarron77 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 You have tibetan mastiffs in texas?!?! used to live in OH, and we bred and showed the TM's. Now in TX, they have AC during the summer, and stay inside most of the day(with a dog door). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevysoldier Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Why don't you just move to a nice neighborhood where you don't need to worry about people breaking in? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-bus Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 I hope you're not set up in a way that the first you know abotu it is the BG make it to your bedroom...?Layers, layers, layers. Alarm system with keypad in bedroom. Reinforced door hinges and striker (4" screws right into the framing of the house) will slow them down long enough while making a helluva racket that you could reach a gun or something. Hope your gun is in a safe but easy-access location in the bedroom...Fence... locks....alarm system....dogs...guns.... hearse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kawi kid Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 When it comes to a shotgun its not a point I'm a general direction and.pull the trigger process Hollywood would like you to believe. Within a home you are going to have a pattern that is very tight. I showed this to Cleaver over the weekend with his new toy. Take your shotgun outband pattern it some day and you will feel a lot better about it. There is a company out there that does a shotgun training course called Crusader weaponry, they teach shotgun effectiveness out to 200 yards. It's an eye opening experience. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/practical-home-security-alex-haddox/1106696179?ean=2940013637573&itm=1&usri=alex+haddox&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-BRQmdz9O*4A-_-10:1The link is a really good book on what scruit was talking about with layers of security. This guy knows his stuff and its a good read with lots of examples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 this shotgun talk reminds me of kill bill... "you pretty good with that shotgun?" "not that I have to be at this range but yes I'm a F%&* surgeon with this shotgun" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-bus Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Honestly, I never shot at paper with a scattergun until this past summer. I've shot thousands of clays, a bunch of birds, a few beverage cans, but never paper. I took my Nova HD to the indoor range last summer and was shocked. Buckshot at 25 yards patterned point of aim about six inches around. Gave me tons of confidence for home defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Never thought about it much. I taught my dogs not to bark. They taught themselves to come and wake me up. Guess I'm supposed to protect them if I'm home. If I was even asleep, I tend to wake up when I hear odd sounds.Dogs preferred to sleep in front of the door, so it couldn't open. Good dogs.edit: oddly, I found out that if I wasn't home, the dog would go ape shit if some one approached the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simplysix Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 4" screws right into the framing of the house) will slow them down long enough while making a helluva racket that you could reach a gun or something. Best cheap & easy home security tip there is. As scruit said, makes it much harder to kick on a door and makes a lot more noise in the process to help alert you and your neighbors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idodishez Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Why don't you just move to a nice neighborhood where you don't need to worry about people breaking in? Never gonna let it go are ya?NoBama 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.