Sleeping on the Job

[jo_]

Just curious if your guys do this as we think it's quite comical. When Jagger is sleeping on the deck or outdoor furniture we'll open the back door and she'll immediately jump up and bound off the deck, race around the yard barking. It's as if she wants us to believe that she hasn't been "sleeping on the job" and has been on duty protecting and guarding the yard the whole time. We noticed this behaviour a couple of weeks ago and yesterday I thought I'd test her. I opened the door 4 times and each time identical behaviour.

Too funny! I should try to video tape it sometime.

[Dempsy's Mom]

awww. To funny. They do like to act like they are busy. When Jim comes up to bed - Demps will be stretched out, you could swear he's sound to sleep - but he must have one ear cocked to the sound of Jim's footsteps and the second he hears them he jumps up and looks for something to stick in his mouth. When Jim comes in he is busy with his bone or toy or whatever but busy, busy, busy. Jim scratches him and he growls like, "Don't bother me! Can't you see I am busy!!" So very cute.

Yes, do try to catch Jagger on video.

[dianer]

Yes! Cassie has this exact habit now and we're not sure how it evolved. It is a little annoying when your whole reason for getting up to go to the door is to call her in. She will look like she is sound asleep and at the sound of the slider there is the toenail scraping leep to her feet in a full on dash. Just when I think she is too mature for such foolish action she comes up with this sort of antic. That sudden call to duty is certainly her showing me she is ready for work, I understand that, but perhaps I need to teach her to wait for me to give a command and not act on my meer presence. She is a smart girl, with plenty of initiative.

[pindrop]

First thing in the morning I clip on Layla's leash and we head outside. She has now started to bark the minute the door is opened and she proceeds to run around the perimeter of the property making sure there are no animals on her land. It can be annoying especially as she is up very early and I'm concerned that she may disturb our one neighbor who lives about 300 yards away. They certainly do have their quirks.

[janis]

Kirby goes out the back door, pauses at the top of the deck steps, look all around, very alert! Acts likes he sees something and takes of barking like a bat out of ! Then he runs the same pattern around the yard, barking like he's crazy! Same thing every morning and afternoon. Nuts!

[lindasue]

Pegi doesn't even get outside - when I get her from one of my girls' rooms she runs to the living room (she goes out onto the deck from there); runs all around the permimeter barking, then stops and goes to the door. She saw a mouse in there last fall (kitties disposed of that critter quickly) and has to check if there's another one.

When we walk she also has to stop at each and every place where she's seen a squirrel, mouse or chipmunk over the last (almost) 2 years. And of course the obligatory peak down each storm drain grate....

[Hawkeye]

Oh yeah - you've just described our "going outside". My two run outside thinking they have to conquer the world or embarrass the out of me. Bailey isn't too bad, it's Radar.

[kjwarnold]

Packy always has to bark as soon as he gets outside, first thing in the morning. It's like his announcement to the world that he's back on duty and to look out! Not a problem at home, but when we're at a friend's house in the city, it's probably not fun for the neighbors at 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

[janis]

When we go next door to my mom's, I announce "I'm going to Grandma's!" He stops, looks, and bolts for the back fence barking like he's chasing away all evil doers, clearing a path, then beats me to her steps! Same every time Cairns + OCD!

[gt_mustang_gal]

Oh that is too cute! I can just imagine that scene in my head. You definitely should get it on video.