When Things Go Bark in the Night: A Case Study in Home Defense Preparedness
Recently, a friend of mine—let’s call her Jill—shared a startling experience and asked me to evaluate how she handled it. With her permission, I’m recounting the event here, along with the lessons we drew from it.
🌙 The Incident
Jill was jolted awake at 5 a.m. by her two dogs barking more intensely than ever before. Disoriented and still groggy, she stumbled out of her bedroom to investigate. As she moved toward the front of the house, she noticed blinding lights pouring through the windows. At first, she assumed it was a car outside.
But when she looked out the kitchen window, she saw men dressed in black moving through the bushes with flashlights. Alarmed but unsure, she didn’t immediately recognize them as law enforcement. It turns out they were police officers—sent to her home by mistake due to a mix-up with a veteran’s crisis line. They had rung the doorbell, but Jill hadn’t heard it over the dogs or from her bedroom. Later, she reviewed her Ring doorbell footage and confirmed their identity.
Jill lives alone. Though she owns a firearm, she left her bedroom unarmed, relying on her dogs for security. She wasn’t frightened, but she wanted feedback on how she could better prepare for future incidents.
🧠 My Evaluation & Advice
Jill’s experience was a wake-up call—literally and figuratively. Here’s what we discussed:
1. Know Yourself
If you’re a deep sleeper who wakes up disoriented, having a firearm immediately accessible may not be the safest option. In high-stress moments, confusion can lead to tragic mistakes. Consider less-lethal alternatives like home defense pepper spray.
2. Don’t Leave Your Safe Zone
If your bedroom is your “Alamo room”—a secure space where you can make a last stand if needed - don’t leave it. Investigating noises or lights could expose you to danger. Had there been intruders, Jill would have walked straight into them.
If you decide you need to investigate, go armed with some defensive capability and only go enough to see that something is wrong and immediately return to the saferoom. The police will still come if you can’t identify exactly what is wrong (i.e., there is someone inside or outside).
3. Dogs Are Early Warning Devices, Not Shields
Jill felt safe because her dogs were barking fiercely. But they weren’t trained guard dogs. While they may deter intruders or alert you, they shouldn’t be your only line of defense. If attackers are determined, dogs can be neutralized. Think of them as your alarm system—not your armor.
4. Call 911, Not the Non-Emergency Line
Moments after the fact, Jill contacted the non-emergency line to find out why the police had been at her door. Jill waited two days for a response even with follow up calls. In a moment of uncertainty, dialing 911 is critical. It connects you directly to dispatchers who can relay information to officers on the scene and clarify the situation. Whether it’s a criminal in the area, a mistaken address, or something more sinister like a swatting attempt, you need answers fast.
🛡️ What Jill Could Have Done Differently
Here’s the plan I recommend for future situations:
Secure the Bedroom: Bring the dogs in if possible. If not, close and lock the door to create a barrier.
Call 911 Immediately: Report suspicious activity and request assistance.
Arm Yourself Safely: Choose a defensive tool appropriate for your alertness level.
Take a Defensive Position: Stay out of direct sight lines and prepare to respond if necessary.
Use Your Tech: Check Ring or Blink cameras to gather intel while remaining safe.
🗺️ Make a Plan —Before You Need It
Jill’s experience was a valuable learning opportunity. Too often, we talk about what could have happened without taking steps to improve. Here’s how to start planning:
Map Your Home: Identify your Alamo room.
Choose Your Position: Where will you stand/crouch to stay concealed and protected?
Place Your Tools: Know where your defensive items are stored.
Keep Your Phone Handy: It’s your lifeline to help.
Install Smart Tech: Cameras and lights you can control from your safe zone are game-changers.
Play What If: Run through scenarios on what you and your family would do if…
And don’t stop there—think through daytime scenarios too. What if you’re in the kitchen when someone kicks in the door? How quickly can you reach your safe zone?
🔚 Final Thoughts
Jill wasn’t harmed, but her story is a powerful reminder: Preparation is everything. Whether you live alone or with family, take time to think through your response plan. Practice mentally. Adjust as needed. Because when things go bark in the night, you want to be ready.