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I need some tips/suggestions/strategies for stopping break-ins. I have had it happen twice in 3 months.
Here's the deal, I live in the country and commute into Lexington for work. I climb on the weekends. Oftentimes I'll spend some of the nights in lex as well.

Both times, the crooks have struck on Sundays, once I believe during the day (kicked my side door down, broke a window), the second time I think it was at night- they must have hopped the fence at the rode and ran up.

Here's what I've considered and the cons I have: video camera, heard from police they really only do any good if you get the license plate, usually the thief's are covered up with a hat or some sort of concealment. Wouldn't help if they parked at the rode and ran up.
Alarm system - would take cops/me to long to respond and get there to stop anything.
Big dog - all the issues that come with owning a big mean dog.
Boobie traps: I don't know any.
Putting up signs "beware of dog" "under surveillance": does this really deter?
The thiefs have gotten all my valuables the last two breakins(macbook, chainsaw, guns, boots etc) so I really don't have anything left to lose. The only reason I picture them coming back is for my TV or maybe feeling brave and hoping theres more.

I was advised to leave any future valuables upstairs since robbers usually don't like to get trapped.

Any ideas? Strategies? Tips?

I would definitely go with a dog. It doesn't even have to be a big dog, all though that can't hurt. I think generally a thief will avoid a home where they can hear a barking dog. It would be much easier to just find another home without a dog inside to break into.

Doesn't have to be a big mean dog, just a mid sized dog or two that will bark at the right times. Alarm's might not help you get there soon enough, but would probably make the thieves move pretty quickly or bail all together.

Security is all about a system, rather then a single piece - you want to make it hard for them, and then the will go find something easier.

So, add a dog and alarm that will make them think twice. Then move yourstuff up stairs, maybe even make a kinda "safe room" with a strong door and a nice lock. Add a cheap web cam there, that sends info off site every 30 sec. Add a couple "you are being watched" signs.

The problem is that if you are off climbing you will likely have the dog with you.

An alarm might work, also some motion sensing flood lights. But if you live in the country they may not care about the light. Tough one.... hope you figure something out. Being robbed like that is an awful feeling.

Do you have any neighbors? Are they getting robbed?

If not, then chances are that these guys somehow know you. And know when you leave for the day. I'd pay attention to who you've talked to in the last few months, and if you have any neighbors that might know your schedule.

shamis, is that why you are always "busy" on sundays?

Places are getting robbed all over clark, montgomery and bourbon counties. They caught two separate groups but don't think they are connected. I spoke to the detective today, he said they "took one of the guys that was cooperating with us and drove him by your place, he swore up and down they didn't hit it"
I was a little surprised, is that common detective/police style!? Take a suspected thief by a house and ask them if they have broken into it?

Anyways, I don't know anyone in the area save for neighbors on either side (both farmers, friends of my family back generations). I moved out there in Jan of this year, the house had been unoccupied since 2004. I'm guessing someone just noticed I'm in and out a lot (car there one day, gone the next, gone most weekends, etc) and cased me out.

Thanks for the suggestions. bcombs hit the dog issue, I wouldn't want to leave a dog cooped up in my house when I went climbing with my other (not scary dog) to the crag.

I worry it's a sign of the times, there's less temp work for the folks who can only hang on to jobs for a short time. I fear some of those turned to robbery, at least in my area.

If they are brave enough to kick in a side door during the day they probably knew you weren't home.

Dogs are good but this thing is good too:

http://rdcwholesale.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2996952

You might think it's expensive but not when compared to a real dog.

Also install a motion detector light with a really bright bulb at each entrance (none of that flourscent bulb B.S. as they take too long in cold weather to actually get bright).

Perhaps a recording of a big barking dog hooked up to a motion detector, can't imagine it being all that hard to hook up or expensive. Also posting signs that say you have an alarm system have proven affective.

Good luck

i agree with shamis, someone that knows you/schedule is the FIRST THING thought.

you can always rig a face smash. its essentially a home alone type set up but it does work. think of the old water pail on top of the door trick and go from there.

another idea is to have something valuable under something they would have to pick up thereby getting their fingerprints.

pungi sticks as well.