To wonder why people stand at the bottom of my drive looking at my dog?

[MrsOverTheRoad]

For context...we live on a high street in a rural town. We're at the "quiet end" so no shops here but a pub next door.

We have a drive leading from the high street to our garden...it's pretty long but you can clearly see our big gates which separate our back garden from the driveway....our dog sleeps in the garden by the gate.

He's a distinctive dog....a big one. People sometimes stop by the end of the drive and stare at him which makes him bark.

They then stand there STILL staring!

I went out earlier today to see why he was having a hissy fit and there was a man of about 60 standing there staring.

So I said "Are you ok?" and he said "I'M ok!" as though the dog was being unreasonable!

The dog hadn't barked for long...just a few but Loud and he'd been fast asleep moments before so I know it was another dog tourist.

This man then wanted to know WHY the dog was bloody barking!

He doesn't bark if people don't stand and stare at him!

Wtf? It happens at least twice a week...the other week there was a whole family standing there looking at him whilst he barked his nuts off.

Have people no sense?

He's a big, white dog...good looking and all that yes...but he's not THAT remarkable!

The man sounds a bit odd, granted, but that's what dog people do, look at lovely dogs. People are always looking and commenting on my dog as he's a common breed but in an unusual colour. It doesn't bother me, I like it, but I can see why it would irritate you if it disturbs your dogs sleep and starts him barking.

Oh, people like looking at pretty dogs!

I also like looking at pretty dogs but if they bark then I move away quickly! Surely that's common sense?

I would totally stare at a beautiful doggo! But then again if he got upset I'd move on...

ooh what breed? We had a very goodlooking dog once, and it happened a lot. Ignored the children, always had to stop and talk to the dog...

Flown he's a Maremma...pretty much like these.

This is not my pic.

What kind of dog is he?

I had a neighbour who had a large dog, it was also white. Their garden was huge and very secluded, I only saw it once as I got out the shower and actually got a fright, and I'm a dog person. It was so big and was like something out a Harry Potter movie, i actually said to my husband " wtf is that thing in the neighbours garden, have you seen it" he just said " yes, it's their dog, it's enormous" dunno what kind it was. But I'd have stopped and stared too if I saw it close up.

Barking is sometimes "hello", it doesn't always mean a dog is upset. In your case you say your dog is but a simple bark isn't always cause for hotfooting it.

Oh that's not so unusual.

I do this. I wouldn't if my doggo crush barked, granted, but I just enjoy staring at him longingly and hoping DH gets over his Rottie phobia.

Likely pondering his diet and what job you do to afford it!!

Seen pic now. Of corse people stare at your dog, its fabulous and looks like a polar bear, there's one of those get s waxed down our road and we love it, always stop and look, sorry

Bluntness no...like extra hairy labs really!

Fireplace he's definitely not saying hello...he has a loud bark and he sounds quite full on.

MrsCropley he eats quite lightly for a big dog...dry food daily, some meat which DH gets quite cheaply and the odd bloody wood pigeon :(

Yes Mrs I acknowledged that in my post when I said clearly your dog is upset.

Fireplace yes...quite polar bearish...a child did once shriek that in the street when we were walking him "Look! Mummy! A polar bear!"

She just said "Oh yes!" so as not to spoil his illusion. :D

I would put some kind of screening on the gates so people couldn't see him/ he couldn't see people.

YANBU and I can imagine it's bloody annoying.

But omg they are gorgeous

It'll be people thinking/arguing with each other... Oooo what is it? Must be some sort of cross don't you think? Alsation and poodle? ... Me and dh do it all the time.

I can see how its annoying if he starts barking, but it comes with having a distinctive dog I think.

Are you sure your dog is asleep? I reckon he's doing little tricks - like juggling or doing backflips. Then when he's bored of the attention he barks to get rid of the audience!
That's what I think

He's a beauty btw

Bastard I think you're right...people think he's all kinds...

Mean that's such a good idea! Why haven't I thought of it! I am definitely going to screen it off with some of that bamboo stuff...he will stand up on it with his front paws if someone goes past shouting or whatever but people won't see HIM will they!

Lloyd He could be! Singing or something...then kicking off when they stop to look!

He's big and fluffy and gorgeous. I'd stare and go 'awwwwwwwww - lookee who's a big beautiful fluffy doggy then?'

Sorry.

It's because he's an unusual dog. I'd stare if I saw him. I'm a dog lover.

Oh hes gorgeous! Sorry but I'd prob state at him too. I bet they're hoping he'll come over for a big cuddle. Maybe put a little sign on the gate? Not sure what you'd put. Maybe one of those 'shhhhh baby sleeping' ones but cross the 'baby' out and put Polar Bear. (Or dog!)