....and FOR SURE there is no one out there?

Well, I didn't go down there and look for tracks, but I didn't see anything this morning (broken branches or blood or hair) and neither dog is interested in that area today, like they would be if there was a scent of something lingering.

Jan, I don't have enough experience to know what is fear barking and what is protective. Last night when Niko was barking, his hackles were waaaay up, like all the way down his back. But I guess that could be fear or excitement. I have never seen a dog being protective, so I don't know what that looks like. He was still able to pee, so he wasn't totally out of his mind, and he came when I called him, and calmed down the instant we were back in the house. I guess that sounds more like a fear reaction. I would say it was fear of the dark except we do the same potty routine every night (when Don is home) and he doesn't act this way. Maybe it was a combination of both the dark and Don not being home.

I am no expert either, but I know when my boys ‘suspect’ something, they will bark and also growl deeply. Much different from play/excited woof-woof-woofs or the “let me back in” annoying bark. They don’t bark in fear, but others I’ve heard have higher-pitched rapid barks and no growling.

Oh yeah, Niko's bark last night was MUCH deeper than his crazy play ball bark, or his DON'T LEAVE ME!! bark. But it was probably most similar to his HEY there is a stranger in the driveway!! visitors bark.

I wouldn't worry too much. I think they are just playing up their roles a bit. Although one time it was kind of funny with Shiloh's barking. I had just gotten into yet another fight with the neighbors and I had layed down to take a nap (I was mentally exhausted). Then Shiloh was in the front room barking his head off. I yelled, he barked, I yelled some more, he barked even harder, I finally got up 'to kill him' (of course you know I'm kidding) but I yelled 'What the F(you will in the blank) are you barking at?' and just when I turned the corner into the dining room and saw was a cop on my front porch! He probably thought I was the worse pet mama. Of course, the neighbors had called the cops (it was their turn I guess). But I was so embarresed. Oh well.

I wouldn't worry too much about anything being out there for two days. Most crooks leave after a much shorter time Besides they know you have two mean guard dogs and I'm sure they wouldn't try anything with them around.

OMG, that is too funny!!!

I think dogs also tend to be a bit sexist, in that their "male" and "female" roles are more traditional. Max was like this. And while indy was very protective and alert, it was about everything in general. With Max, it was all about me. It kinda drove me nuts all those years. Of course, looking back, I treasure it

ha ha shilohsmom... i did the same thing not too long ago. it is easier to open my front door and say be quiet over the fence when there is barking .i am quick to make them stop as i hate barking for no reason dogs--anyway my front door is on the side of my house that is why it is easier to open it. on this day cuvee was being overtly barky and i was really pissed as usually my yelling "quiet" from inside the house stops them, flung my computer down , ran to the front door thru it open as i say "g d i ... what are you barking at"...umm... well they wwere barking at 2 well dressed old churchy women on the doorstep about to try to convert me....i think i may have given them a duel heart attack...i guess they will be returning... (sarcasm)

Niko is still grumbling at the window this morning. There was a small rabbit out there earlier. Thankfully Don will be home in a few hours and the dogs can go off-duty. They must be exhausted!

A humorous side note, I went to take Rosa out for potties this morning, and discovered I hadn't locked the door. Whoops! I guess having a couple hyper-vigilant dogs isn't such a bad thing.

I find both mine get funny acting if dh is late, like we've gone to bed and dh isn't home. Dolly sits and whines at the gate to the bedroom area.
The most profound I found was when we moved to Paris. Dh was away on a project and I mean Oz went through so much with me that year, the divorce, new "Dad", the pregnancy, moving to our place in Cambridge, moving to Paris, Sandi passing. Now Oz had never been to the Paris house with dh, and dh was gone, this was Oz that morning when the moving truck got there.



He truly loves dh and has become his dog, so I think Oz really was depressed that morning when he thought we're changing again.