^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^
Plus, hypothetical situations are only useful for discussion in "what if" scenarios, but they do not contribute anything in the way of actual reaction behavior in crisis situations. Most of us may have good intentions as to how we would handle the hypothetical example given, but in reality at the time, we may not even be able to remember our own names. Easy to surmise when sitting in front of a keyboard, but when you are facing a threat, half asleep and with a bloodstream full of adrenaline, then all bets are off.
I would estimate that 90% of gun owners today go to the range/practice maybe once a month, if that. They hang up a paper target at 7 yards and carefully take their time trying to hit the center of the target. When they have a reasonable "group" they consider that they are now "trained" for another month, and able to protect their, and their families' lives from danger. In reality, they have little hope of disabling a knife wielding stranger when they are full of adrenaline, half asleep and in fear of their lives with a dog barking and wife/children screaming in the background.
In the hypothetical example given, for me, the key considerations would be: 1. The individual broke into my home, 2. He is carrying a knife. 3. I am a reasonably skilled handgun shooter but I am not Jerry Miculek.
Bottom line is that I think it would be fair to assume that the individual does not plan on being a well mannered guest, and dog or not, with a knife in hand he is a threat to me and my family's lives. Then I would react accordingly, and hope that I have enough self control to eliminate the threat.
Firearms training is only a little bitty piece of the puzzle, mindset will to fight and having a warriors mentality are more important than being an expert shooter in these cases, I would take mediocre shot with the fighting spirit of a warrior than a expert marksman with no fighting spirit any day of the week and twice on Sunday.