House got broke into...again

[TAB]

TAB, they came through the back door with no signs of forced entry.  The person who broke in the first time was in jail I am told this time so it wasn't him.  Funny thing 3 of my neighbors said they had people outside there house milling around the night before.  I think they crook was just casing the night before and saw that we were gone and chose us.  I had been at elk camp for 6 days at the time so none of my trucks had moved.  Some think that it was just someone passing through but I have my doubts.  There are a couple of houses on these 3 blocks that have some shady folks living there.  For some reason I just have a gut feeling I could walk you to the door of the A--holes.  That is the one good thing about a small town you know who most of the trouble makers are.  Thanks for all the ideas about a Chessie, I am a avid waterfowl hunter and have been thinking about a dog but I don't think it will solve my problem since most of the time I am gone I am hunting so the dog will probably be with me.

if that is the case, there are only 3 ways they could have gotton in.

1they had a key/picked the lock(most locks are pretty easy to pick)

2 it was unlocked

3 they came in thru a window/crawl space

[Walter45Auto]

I recommend a German Shepherd (Ok. I'm Biased. Any large dog with a loud thunderous bark would do. Rottwieler,a big lab, American Bulldog.... I could go on....) for starters. I'll echo everybody's "A big loud dog is usually a good deterrent" statement. They work even better if they're house trained. (A dog in the yard may or may not prevent the thieves from coming in the house when you aren't home.) Glad no one was hurt and nothing was stolen.

[fightingquaker13]

I sent this as a PM originally, but thought I'd post it. As a pretty serious bird dog guy, I thought I'd promote an FDSB Chessie or an FDSB or NAVDA Drathaar. Still, the post might be of general interest, and might sitr some controversy as I am all in favor of buying from a reputable breeder and have little use for "pound puppies". That's just my thing, YMMV. Anyway, here's the post.
FQ13
To:
Huntnelk

If you want a good retriever, I can't reccomend a Chessie enough. I'm a pointer guy myself. I prefer quail to ducks (though I do like duck hunting), but living in Florida? If you use a retriever, you better not get too attached to it, as the gators love their dogs.
Still, a chessie is a great breed. They are more athletic than a lab and a whole lot "sharper",  and a lot more stubborn. They are not fluffy bunnies. Buying a chessie  is like buying a gun. They are smart and affectionate and damn good at what they do. They will kick a lab's ass in cold water (like you have in Wyoming) every day of the week. That said, they will bite and need serious discipline and training, and here I'm talking the "Dog Whisperer" not Michael Vick.
Just understand, they are not a dog you buy and ignore. Buy it young, train it well, and work with it daily and you're good. Fail to do that? Its your own damn fault. I would highly recoomend Field Dog Stud Book dogs over the AKC. AKC dogs are breed for confirmation. FDSB dogs are bred for performance. They will cost close to a grand. But that thousand bucks will be the least amount of money you ever spend on the dog when you factor in vet bills, dogfood, chew toys etc.. The Quaker's opinion is that it's as easy to love a good dog as a bad one. Rescue dogs are nice in theory. Real life? Why not give youself the best chance for success you can?   Buy once and buy right. I'd start with the "American Field" and "Gun Dog Digest". The breeders who advertise are generally solid. Even if they don't breed your type of dog, they probably know someone who does. The serious bird dog world is pretty small. Most breeders know each other and frauds don't last long.
FQ13
PS if you do upland hunting as well, Draathars, or German wire haired pointers, would fit the bill as well. If you can't hit the bird, the dog can always just ugly them to death. Plus, they are good for ducks and will cheerfully eat your ass. They are just terminally goofy, but still good hunters, good pets and not what a thief wants to run into.

Here's the address of "American Field". You won't find it in store's and you are cheating youself if you don't subscribe and use it to find a good breeder. No BS, the 6 month subscrition is the best money you'll spend, as you will get in touch with some very serious folks who will be happy to give you advice. Their advertisers are the real deal, and most don't care if you buy their dogs or not. You might find yourself on a waiting list. A man with more business than he can handle is an honest man, simply because he doesn't need your money and thus has no reason to lie. Buy the mag, make the calls, and engage these guys in conversation. You'll learn a lot if you are patient, and you'll probably find a good pup as well. Just sayin' that the hours I've spent chatting these guys up haven't been wasted.


http://www.americanfield.com/

[huntnelk]

FQ, we have been really considering a Draathar simply because by Bro-in-law had one and he was great.  The sweetest dog in the world unless you messed with his home or boy and then he was a terror.

TAB they either picked the door or found our spare key.  It was locked for sure and the spare key isn't even in the same area as the door it is in an out building but you never can tell.

Thanks again for all the info

[TAB]

What kind of lock set does it have?

if your not sure a pic of the inside, the out side and the bolt plate. I will most likly be able to ID it.

Some brands/ models are known for being very easy to bump key.(google/ youtube and you will see how easy it is.)


Locked for sure means very little.  I've seen doors that were locked where the bolt was not inguage the strike plate, or were not shut all the way.  I've also seen jambs with a gap big enough to get a took in them and leaver the lock open.( the knob kind)

I'd also look around the out side of you house for a window that could have been gotten into.

Edit

Any standard lock set can be raked,( other then say a medeco style lock, which takes a key cut in 3d, even then they make tools for them, they are just not cheap and require a lock smith lic to buy.).

The cheap ones are very easy to rake, the better lock sets are not.  I've seen them even frustate pros with 35+ years exp.  Those are few and far between.  Of corse not many people can aford a $500  dead bolt

[Sponsor]

[huntnelk]

It has a Kwikset door knob I am not sure of the model.  Just your standard door knob. I would bet that the door was locked but possible not shut all the way like you mentioned.  I watched the bump key video...wow that is a little to easy.

[TAB]

The older kwiksets are the easyest to bump.

Thet have gotton better, but still very easy.

Its why I sintall them on all the rental units I rehab.  That way if I ever need to get in, I just bump it.

[BikerRN]

My $0.02:

Harden the house.

Bars, security doors, dogs, alarm systems, plants under the windows that poke, prick, and stick. It's all part of a layered system. Any system can be defeated, but the more layers the longer it takes to defeat. That time is what works in your favor. If it takes too long, or a badguy or gal thinks it will take too long, they will move on to another target. Time works in your favor, as the more time spent defeating a system the increased chance at discovery.

Biker

[CJS3]

Get a security system. It won't stop someone from breaking in, but it will call someone when they do. Also, would you stay in a house with a siren blaring away in the house. Call one of the national companies. They may not have a dealer in the area, but they DO have an authorized contractor in the area that can handle the installation for you. I do installations for ADT, but I don't work for ADT. Here in Texas you have to be licensed by the state to do security installations. I'm sure it's the same where your at. Just make sure you're dealing with a licensed contractor.

[fadedtrends]

I have a large breed dog (Akita), it was never trained to protect anything, but if it doesn't know you and I don't walk you through the door expect to be picked up and carried away!  I'm not suggesting an Akita as they need room and want to work, or as crusader rabbit put it  "They DO need a job, and will invent one for themselves--like excavating your carpet, eating through your door or wall, modifying your sofa, etc."  My dog is pushing 190lbs doesn't bark and can easily drag my 160lbs through the house, they were bred to pin down yazo bears in japan and they are the epitome of loyalty and protection.  I've told my girlfriend if you hear a noise and I  get my gun it's only cause there's a second person as Ryu will be busy eating the first.

It's said they don't like small animals (consider them food) but my gf's pug mix and Ryu have gotten along from day one, if I didn't own a gun I wouldn't feel any less secure during a break in, again assuming my dog isn't preoccupied with the first person to come in.  they are a spendy breed, get bored easy and will destroy your house if left unchecked, he's there when I go to work and in the same place when I come back, we set a camera up and in the 9 hrs I was gone he left his spot at the window by the door twice, I'm assuming to eat and drink.
 
If anyone considers and Akita make sure you do alot of socializing we were warned but haven't had too many close calls like I said if your new and I'm not letting you in the door your gonna hurt.    Listen to me, anytime I get to brag my dog up I do it, sorry bout that guess I'm a proud "father"

Good luck huntnelk on your problem,  hope you all is resolved soon   

As a side note if your curious to the devotion of an Akita google Hachikō when researching the breed it was the final thing that cemented me in my decision to get an Akita, and although every breed exhibits loyalty and maybe I'm being biased I believe the Akita has Loyalty on lock down.