[aigel]

Dogs and "beware of dog" signs help a lot, even if you and the dogs are not home. Most crooks know your house and if there are dogs or not.

The next thing that helps is to NOT hire any help. Gardeners, cleaning service, handyman, dog walker - all recipe for their cousin coming back later for whatever was scouted out.

If someone strange comes to the house, my dogs always answer the door and I pull them back. Word gets out. If I can't avoid having hired help, I always make a point telling them the dogs are vicious, especially when I am not around ...

G