How does he know?

[MacFish]

We live in an apartment above my office. Vegas comes to work with me everyday so he meets tons of people coming and going everyday.

After work, we always go out in the back parking lot and play hockey. Other people that rent offices in the building and their guests walk into the back and get into their cars and Vegas usually doesn't pay any attention or gives them the wiggles if he knows them.

Friday night we were sitting around watching TV and Vegas was sick on his bed. I rushed him outside in case he had to be sick again. While we were out there, he was acting a little weird. He was on full alert. He walked over to the edge of the grass and puffed out his chest while staring at the corner of the building. All of a sudden, some guy walked around the corner. I didn't know him and he kinda startled me. There were no cars in the back other than mine so I wasn't expecting anyone to walk back. I also thought the gates was closed but I guess they weren't.

Vegas took off running at this guy growling and barking. He started running in circles around the guy as he did a 180 and started walking back towards the road. I wasn't worried about Vegas attacking the guy as he was keeping his distance but I didn't want Vegas to follow him off our property as we live on a busy road. I calmly said "I think you might want to stop" but they guy picked up his pace. I said it again this time a little louder. This time he listened. Vegas sat in front of him about 6' away starring at the guy. I walked over and gave Vegas the heal command and walked him behind the guy. I told him to stay then told the intruder to leave. After he was gone, I locked the gate. The look on the guys face was priceless. I am not sure what he was up to but I don't think I have to worry about him, or any of his friends who were waiting on the street, coming on our property again

I just don't understand how he knew that that guy shouldn't be there? He has only ever done that once before in a similar situation where Robin was trying to close the gate and a stranger on the street came up and started talking to her. Vegas ran up barking at the guy as soon as he got close.

I don't want to encourage him because I don't want him to think he has to be like this with everyone but at the same time, I feel much safer knowing he is there willing to protect us if we need him.

 

[Lael]

Way to go Vegas.

I just don't understand how he knew that that guy shouldn't be there?

I really think that our dogs understand more than we think. I also think that their unbiased, untainted, and pure hearts allow them to understand far more than we do. Who knows how Vegas knew. He may have just sensed that this person's intention was not friendly.

Amazing, aren't they?

 

[Gruntsmom]

Good Job, Vegas!!! What a good boy!! appicon

I would trust my Grunt's instincts in a heartbeat, because something very similar happened to me recently, and I'm still amazed everytime I think about it. Their instincts are sharply honed to pick up on everything - and God love 'em, when they sense an intrusion, they are right on it. You've done so well in training Vegas, and I bet you are so very proud of him!!

 

[Nemeia]

Yay for Vegas!!! appicon I wish Max was a little more brave LoL

 

[PingsMomNiki]

Good Job Vegas! appicon

Yes I think its like a sense with them.. Ping LOVES people, he's a social butterfly - no.. more like a social HOG. Loves people and attention, he always gives newcomers a good "once over" but seems comfortable with everyone except every once in awhile I can tell he doesn't like someone. One time we were outside doing our "before bed potty time" and this guy started walking towards us - people walk up to us all the time to talk about him or if they have a dog - to let them play, but this guy started walking towards us and Ping did NOT like him - he stood in front of me and started growling at him and was on "full alert" and he never does that with people. I trust Ping's instincts so I told Ping to come on and we went inside QUICKLY. Later that night a woman was assaulted at our apartments by a man, I dont know if it was the same man I didn't get a good look at him but who knows... I'm so glad I have Ping, I feel safe with him. Especially if hubby is working at night or something.. he says he trusts Ping to protect me when he's not there.

Our babies are so sweet and cuddly and loving but they are tough and brave protectors too - they are the best :D

 

[BeckyNC]

Does anyone think dogs get some sort of vibe about strangers on the street? I know it sounds cheezy, but they seem to have this intuition that we do not always have.

About 6 weeks ago, I encountered a new woman in the neighborhood. She was walking her dog, but really wanted to pet Tae. Tae growled, but I was uncertain it was the Boxer play growl or a serious growl. Regardless, the woman seemed really nice. Two days later, we again encountered the woman. This time she was without her dog and she really wanted to pet Tae. Well, everytime she reached out to pet my girl, Tae growled. She does not play growl at other humans unless actually engaged in play, so I realized she was serious. This woman tried to pet her two other times and Tae growled. The woman was not naive and realized she should back off. She was not dressed any differently than the average person, and, as I noted earlier, she seemed really nice. I don't know if she had a smell Tae didn't like or what, but that was a first. Tae usually loves EVERYONE, as many of our loving Boxers do!

 

[sherri0121]

One weekend morning about 6:30 AM DH and I were taking the gang out. Sophie got done pretty quickly so we came in. I decided to get the morning paper. The shoes I had on kind of made a shuffling noise. Well DH had Jasmine and Hailey on leash (no fence) and she heard the noise and I also think she caught a quick glimpse of something between the vehicles. DH later said Jasmine froze and hair started raising. Then she let out a HUGE B-A-R-R-R-A almost like a baying noise. It was pretty funny, but it would have been really funny to hear her do it some more. However, due to the time of morning DH had to quite her pretty quickly.

Another time DH had gone to a football game and drove home afterwards. He ended up coming in about 2 or 3 AM. I had set the alarm. It wasn't until DH was already up the stairs when she started baying (watch dog was alittle late). DH turned on the light and she immediately started the kidney beans and jumping up on DH! The worst part was the other 3 didn't even move a muscle. Got to love them

 

[Rlr.Giraffe]

I don't know how they know it, but I am glad they do!

We used to have a wired haired fox terrier named Bandit when I was a kid who loved everyone and especially loved it when someone came to the door. Very licky with everyone, even strangers. Once a door-to-door salesman came to the door and my mom had to physically restrain Bandit from going after him for some reason. Bandit was growling and snapping and freaking out. The guy was just trying to sell whatever, but the dog was making my mom a little nervous. Turns out Bandit was right; the salesman tried to push his way into the house until my mom told him that she couldn't be held responsible for what the dog might do. Seeing his teeth, this guy didn't take any chances. Bandit never met anyone he didn't like after that... who knows what this guy's motivations were? Bless Bandit's little doggie heart for keeping us safe.

 

[Luvnmyboxer]

Reading your story I kept thinking to myself "OMG this guy just robbed somebody's place or did something else horrible and he's gonna get caught by the dog before the cops come" That didnt happen, but I dont think he'll be brave enough to come back around your way again. Extra kisses to your baby for being on guard and aware of his surroundings!

 

[hanley]

Well,I don't know how they know,but they do!I am very careful & trust my Susie's instincts about people, she is a very good judge of character,if she doesn't trust you then neither do I.She has a different growl & bark for every thing that alerts her,& over time I've learned what she is saying,& sometimes its nothing but a look, but I can still read her emotions.She's not just a dog,she is my trusted friend. So please listen to your Boxers,they will never lead you in harms way.LOL, Hanley