TEL AVIV, Israel: A security system which uses a dog's barks to assess the level of threat to a property is reportedly close to being released for sale to the general public.
The 'Doguard' Dog Bio Security system, developed by Israeli company Bio-Sense Technologies, has reportedly been tested for several years in high-security Eshel Prison as well as Israeli military bases, water installations, farms, ranches, garages and in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
According to the Israel21c website, the system is based around a biometric alert sensor integrated into the dog's collar.
The sensors analyze a dog's bark to determine if someone has broken into your house or is involved in other suspicious behavior.
Bio-Sense said it used computers to analyze 350 different canine barks and found dogs of all breeds and sizes barked the same alarm when they sensed a threat.
If an intruder tries to break in, or actually succeeds in doing so, the dog's barks rise rapidly in intensity and the technology goes to full alert, sending out details of the security breach to the homeowner via SMS, triggering the house alarm, and even alerting local security companies.
"Dogs have a specific bark when someone threatens their space," said Eyal Zehavi, the founder and CEO of Bio-Sense.
"It doesn't matter what breed of dog they are, how big or small, or what sex, all that matters is that they bark in response to a threatening situation. An alarm bark is always the same."
Bio-Sense says the warning system has three threat levels:
- No-Alert - The watchdog is responding to routine events
- Medium-Alert - There is suspicious activity in the vicinity
- High-Alert - An intrusion has occurred into the dog's territory
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Prison officer Bazov Moris told Reuters that Eshel Prison installed the system last year to supplement its existing network of electric fences and human guards.
However, the Bio-Sense's dog security system is not perfect. When tested at a water installation and a farm in central Israel, the dogs triggered several false alarms, officials told the SMH.
"The dogs need two to three weeks to adapt, they must get to know their territory," said Daniel Low, chief executive officer of Meniv Rishon, the municipal water system of the Israeli town of Rishon Lezion.
This is a great idea, I wonder if it works with small dogs? I find it hard to believe all dogs bark the same way though - a great dane sounds nothign like a daschund.
I'd love to know where to buy one of these
Sounds silly to me - a good bite will always be better than a bark
If you don't know a Westie, their size and character you might be surprised with their loud and convincing "alert" barking and growling! They sound much bigger and fiercer than they actually might be; a Westie just doesn't equate his size with his ability. Since they were used to hunt badgers and other dangerous tunneling animals in times past, you might find their bite IS bigger than even their ominous bark. I would bet you wouldn't open the door to check him out. They might be on to something here.
I'm not quite sure about this... I mean, when your dog barks- for whatever reason- wouldn't it be a good idea to check it out? And when he really REALLY barks, you'd be sure to feel the urgency, wouldn't you? They could've blown all that research money on something more important than that.
i dont know if this would be 100% reliable because i think even if i had this device id still go out and check things out if my dogs were barking.
Personally, I think a bite makes a lot stronger statement than a bark :)
Hmmm... i personally think it's better to check out threats yourself, you know. for your own peace of mind and stuff like that. Although, this would be good for old people who live by themselves.
although this may be effective, i would still prefer having another security system installed inside my house....the sensor electronic type.
i don't think it would be wise to rely only on the quality of a dog's bark for security purposes. what if the dog is just hungry or sees another animal lurking around? having electronic security measures is still the most effective for me.
A bite is worse than bark. some dogs bark at the simplest things. I had a dog who barked at his own shadow! The bark sensor thing would just be inaccurate. I'd still go for a real house security system.