Neighbor’s dog is giving him the eye

#Middlebury

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My neighbor’s dog, every day since I moved into this house in rural New York, has a habit of coming up to the property line when I go out to check on my garden. She will stand right at the edge, lift a paw, bark at me, then turn around and leave. What’s up with that behavior? – Jim G., via email

DEAR JIM: That sounds like a well-behaved, well-trained dog. Or, your next-door neighbor has, or had, a low-power wire along the property edge that delivers a shock to a dog when it crosses the line. Whatever it is, she was trained not to cross into the neighbor’s yard.

I like that you noted her body mannerisms. Raising a paw is a signal that she is alerted and checking you out. A nonaggressive bark is an attention signal. It’s something like, “I see you, and I want you to know that I’ve got my eye on you.” And her turning back after that bark is a good sign. She doesn’t see you as a threat. She’s said her piece, and now she’s off on her way.

Being aware of a dog’s body language and barking is important even if you don’t own a dog. A bark followed by a growl (or vice versa) is a warning signal meaning “back off.” A raised paw and an intent stare at a specific object is typical of an alert and energetic but calm dog. A dog that charges and stops is being aggressive and there’s a good chance that behavior can escalate into an attack.

If you get the opportunity to meet your neighbors, compliment them on their dog’s good behavior.

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