Odd doggie walk today

spyrosmom

Cathlete
To set up some background here, I've had Vlad since May, he's about 8 months old now, and he DOESN'T BARK. We've had one small woof at popcorn popping in the microwave and another at the coffee pot gurgling, other than that, he's a quiet dog.

We were walking this morning and there was a rather creepy looking old guy standing in his driveway. Rail thin, gray hair sticking out, probably about 70 years old, just standing there. I said good morning and he didn't say anything. All of a sudden Vlad's fur on his back stands up and he lets out this long, mean howl and and a BIG nasty mean bark. He has never done that. Everyone else we have ever met on a walk he wags and smiles and looks for a head pat, including everyone else today. This guy must've just wigged him out. It was wierd.

Then we were almost home, and a middle aged lady and her husb pull up in a car, and asked when/where I got him. I told her we got him in May, and she asked if we got him from the Humane Society, and I told her yes. Says she thinks they have his sister, who they got at the PetSmart adoptathon. I told her that's where we got him, there were 2 girls and a boy. She said that's where they got their girl, and her name was Savannah, and she was smaller than him, but looks just like him. Then she said one of the volunteers at the Humane Society had adopted the other girl and her name is Wrigley, and they have met her and she is a bit smaller, too. But said both girls were very friendly and smart. So is my Vlad. She said they don't live in the nieghborhood, but were visiting a friend, and the guy who has the other sister lives in another part of town as well. I'm glad they all found homes.:):)

It was a bit of an odd dog walk today

Nan
 
That is bizarre, especially the part about the siblings.

I'm convinced dogs are excellent judges of character. Mine is super friendly with adults, yet every once in a while he shows a clear dislike for a particular person. Maybe he senses their fear, or maybe there's something not cool about them. In either case, I take his advice and make note of the individual.
 
I also believe that an animal can tell if a person has a questionable personality.

Janie
4760884_bodyshot_175x233.gif
 
Nan,

My boxer reacted this way to my creeper next door neighbor. We all live on 2+ acres of wooded property. My neighbor who is 70-ish hangs out in the woods between our homes. Just watching. It's so creepy.
Maximus HATES this guy!!! I totally agree with Maximus. This guy is bad news.
I shudder thinking what a creep this guy is...watching,lurking in the woods.
 
Dogs don't generalize very well, so if Vlad has never seen a person like that before, the guy may have startled him and he might not be 100% sure the man was indeed a person (herding dogs are very visual). I take Jimmy hiking all the time, and he loves the people on the trail - except if the person has walking sticks and is wearing a hat. One or the other is fine, but both set him to barking and growling. I don't know what it is about walking sticks and hats, but he does not like people who wear them - even after we have had dog friendly people who wear hats and have walking sticks pet him and treat him. Weird.

He also could be reacting to your fear (were you nervous about the guy?). Or to the guy's fear. And yes, I do think dogs pick up vibes about people. I think they are so much smarter than we'll ever know - it's just a different kind of intelligence.
 

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top