My dog is 7 years old and has been with the family since he was 8 weeks old. He knows the ropes and is an obedient dog. He is neutral towards 99.9% of the people we come in contact with. Once in awhile he will meet someone he warms up to immediately and will solicit affection from(with permission). And less frequently he will encounter someone he reacts aggressively towards.

This happened yesterday. We had finished hiking and I was bringing him to an area where he could swim. When we came out of the woods, there was a man standing by the side of the path. My dog went ballistic, tail up, hackles up, all out barking fest. I called him to me and leashed him. And the guy disappeared into the woods. After my dog swam I put him back in the car and we left. As we exited the park, he went nuts again; the guy in question was coming out of the woods on a path by the car.

The last time this happened was in February at a PetSmart. Two school aged boys approached me and asked if they could pet my dog. I had my dog sit and give them high-fives (a big hit with the school age set). This man came over to the boys, and my dog went crazy. He backed off. I apologized, I thought it was their father but the boys said they didn't know him. When I was leaving the store, my dog saw this man again, and went off. This time he was talking to a little girl. I did mention it to the store employee because I think that guy was a weirdo.

Both times I opted not to correct the aggression nor did I praise it. I guess you could say I was neutral. I wouldn't want him to feel he needs to protect me or that he should be making judgement calls on people, on the other hand I do believe his instincts are finer tuned than mine and a warning will always be welcomed. I'm just curious to know how others would handle this. Also, is it possible for a dog to instinctively make a call that quickly on someone? And would you trust your dog's reaction in a similar situation?

Thanks,
Sheila

I firmly believe dogs can sense "something" about people.
I think that your dog reacted normally in the woods setting, since the man was basically a "suprise" to him.

The guy at the pet store.....Ya just never know and I am glad that you contacted management especially when he approached both the young boys AND the little girl also.

I think you did just fine. Just MHO.

Sheila,
I had a very similar experience with one of my dogs. I totally trust his judgement in character when he would occasionally go off on someone - very rarely.

It sounds like your dog picked up on something about that guy, and rightly so. Good job.

Trust your dog!

My GSD, Grace, is a people-loving dog. She loves just about everyone and is very outgoing.

However...

There have been 3-4 occasions in her life where she just did not like someone, the last time happening last fall when we were at Tractor Supply and she actually barked at a man...shocked me, but I left the store on her advice lol. I trust her judgement 100% and I really could give two hoots if someone is upset that she responds negatively to them.

After 7 years, I'd absolutely trust the dog and be inclined to think something was "up" with those two guys. A sharp dog will do that all the time and it may or may not mean anything, but if a dog who is neutral toward "99.9%" of people did that...I'd trust the dog. Under no circumstances would I correct a dog for this behavior unless you absolutely KNOW that the person is ok...like maybe your mother. I always trust my dog; better safe than sorry.

It's amazing, too, how dogs can remember people. Our house is three houses away from the village bus stop - so people walk by my house all day long. The only person our bullmastiff has ever barked at is one blond lady. And she has barked at her on three separate occasions.

We wondered why, until one evening she walked by our house walking her Rottweiler OFF LEASH, (leash in hand but not on the dog) and the Rotti charged our fence. It scared our bullmastiff. Must have happened one time before when we weren't around, and our little Star remembered the lady even when she's alone and walking to catch the bus. (everyone uses the buses here in Europe). We don't correct her for barking at this woman - because she shouldn't be walking her dog off-leash.

i trust my dogs 120% when they do the same.
they r very friendly and playful, especially since they only 7 months old...so when they see ppl they get more excited to play than aggressive. but every so often when we r out on the field opposite our house, lots of ppl cross the field and the dogs ignore them, and sometimes there would be a shady looking fellow cruising down the road, they would go nuts...bolt 4 the guy and bark at his feet in defense, i only kno that now bcoz i read abt it earlier. but they do the whole run around and 2wards the target and then a few steps back and then in again all while barking and growling.
when this happens i dont leave them to it..i back them up and i stop the guy and cross question him. and while i have him and question him they will calm down and sit and watch. then we escort him out of the area.
and so far on the 2 occasions this has happened the guy had no reason 4 being in the area and i coudl tell he was scoping out the houses to see if any1 was home...

GOOD DOGGIES! :-)

There is a family that live across the street from me and every time my GSD sees the dad of this family, my dog goes nuts. We have never met, never spoke, nothing and I know nothing about the guy at all. My dog has never been anywhere near this guy.
My dog doesn't behave that way toward anyone else in my neighborhood, just this man and in fact, the only time I have ever seen this guy is when he is coming home from work. His boys do all the yard work, put up holiday decorations themselves and this guy never comes outside except to go to work.
I truly believe dogs are good judges of character and my dog obviously senses something negative about my neighbor.

Interesting. I love the "trust your dog" theory, I think that is somewhat their place in our lives, it just goes against the whole aggression thing. Bruno is usually neutral but has growled at a few people for no appherent reason and I corrected him. I like these responses and from people I whose judgement I trust.