Lostmybeer,
i would think it would be just the oppisite, out in the sticks in the middle of no mans land is the safer option, and less precaution is needed.

and a simple dog and a security system, does not do well against an armed criminal or even an unarmed criminal.

Just as an example, there is a weekly show called "to catch a theif" and time and time again, they show how useless the dogs are, and security systems give about 5-15 minutes response time, during that 5-15 minute response time, you can lose everthing.