Sadly, my dog sees/hears/smells something to warn me about way too often. (cry wolf story comes to mind) I just have to remember that to her it's important. At home it could be any type of wildlife - coyotes are an instant growl and scramble to the door barking if she hears them yip, deer are a "get outta here" sharp bark, humans is a really bad growl/hair up/defense bark, squirrels & chipmunks are a high pitch squealing bark (prey excitement, no deep voice with those
- anyway, for the most part I've learned to read her voice & body language, but half a dozen times a day gives me plenty of practice. She's learned to control herself in public for the most part, but a motel room she claims as her space and nobody is welcome to come close. But in the lobby she made best friends with the guy behind the counter, put her feet up thinking it was a treat coming (and it did). And it's funny, she will choose one or two people in a trip that she warms up to, everyone else is ignored or given the stink eye.
- anyway, for the most part I've learned to read her voice & body language, but half a dozen times a day gives me plenty of practice. She's learned to control herself in public for the most part, but a motel room she claims as her space and nobody is welcome to come close. But in the lobby she made best friends with the guy behind the counter, put her feet up thinking it was a treat coming (and it did). And it's funny, she will choose one or two people in a trip that she warms up to, everyone else is ignored or given the stink eye.