We have two BIG dogs who bark as soon as anyone even gets NEAR the door. I do NOT answer the door for people I don't know. We live in a rural area and our house sits on an acre of land w/a lot of mountainous/wooded land behind and beside us. We have people that come up here to ASK questions about the land.....who owns it, do you know where he lives, etc etc. He also has a gate across the road going up to his place so no one can get up there. They always turn around in our driveway when they see they can't get up the road. Then the Jehovah witnesses come here, too. A few weeks ago I had some old lady pounding on my door w/some book in her hand (I have no idea if she was a Jehovah witness or not) while two other old women were sitting in the car. The next day some guy dressed in camo came to the door. I'm sure he was gonna ask about the land.....who owns it, why is it posted, do you know what he does up there, etc etc.
I was on the treadmill BOTH times these people were pestering me. It annoys ME when someone knocks on my door who I don't know to ask ME stupid questions about land I don't own. I'm glad the doorbell isn't working right now or I'd be fuming. It's hard enough getting the baby down for a nap, then to have the dogs bark because these people knock on the door irks me.
People know to call and let us know they're coming. If you don't and I don't know you, I'm not answering the door. If hubby's home, he'll answer it usually. I imagine if you hear our two dogs barking and that doesn't stop you from trying to break in, then if I answer the door, it probably isn't going to make any difference.
Plus, seeing that most of our house is w/o siding right now
(thanks to hubby taking his sweet ole time getting it done), they probably don't think there is anything worth stealing in here.