Alarms aren’t a bad thing, but I wouldn’t be overly reliant on it. First, people are accustomed to car alarms going off and aren’t going to come running.
If the intruder intends to do you harm, they understand that you likely tripped the car alarm and they also know how to turn it off with the same key fob.
I had a 100 lb dog that hated strangers and had tremendously powerful jaws(I really miss him). I considered him to be my 10 second warning. He might have scared an intruder or worse, but I assumed that a serious intruder would kill him, but that I would have gotten my 10 seconds to react.
In reading reports on home invasions, women are most likely to be the victims of what I would call armed and motivated attackers who may not even care about getting caught, but relish the idea of the woman feeling totally defenseless and frightened... like the look in her eyes when he picks up the key fob and turns off the alarm.
So yea, great idea, as long as you also have an active means of defense.
“I considered him to be my 10 second warning.”
Yep - maybe the barking will get someone to not even try, but at least gives you a warning if you are home. Our neighborhood watch folks say if you hear a noise - get up and investigate safely. It probably is the only warning you will get. I learned that too late.
Years ago a prowler hit a bunch of cars right before Christmas on our quiet cul-de-sac. I had just got in bed and almost asleep when our dog let out a slight “woof” and that was it. I thought about getting up, diddn’t, listened for anymore noises and there weren’t any.
Got up the next morning and about eight cars (some unlocked and some older ones with no alarms) had been broken into. They must have come onto the drive to check our cars and that was the “woof”. Our new dog is a bit more aggressive with the barking towards strangers as they enter the yard.