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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is really weird? Report?

44 replies

OddDoor · 02/08/2021 14:12

I'm home alone with my young baby, my husband is at work.

I just had a man knock on the door and when I opened it and said ' hello?' my dog barked (as he does when there is someone at the door) and the guy said 'oh that's your guard dog' and walked off briskly back down my drive. He didn't say who he was or what he wanted, just that.

AIBU to be a bit weirded out by that (and worrying what he would have wanted had my dog not startled him)? Do I mention it to 101 perhaps?

I've locked the door but I do get paranoid about things like this so don't know if I'm just overreacting Sad

OP posts:
MrsMercury · 02/08/2021 14:34

i never answer my door unless i am expecting someone or a parcel x

FenceSplinters · 02/08/2021 14:37

That’s really odd and unnerving.

Flaunch · 02/08/2021 14:39

Is your dog a barker? Maybe he was trying to track down the noise?

starfishmummy · 02/08/2021 14:43

I'd say report it on 101

ZeroFuchsGiven · 02/08/2021 14:46

Was he putting something through your letter box?

Why didn't you ask him when you were face to face what he wanted? Confused

LondonMummer · 02/08/2021 14:47

Maybe he is phobic about dogs. Doesn't sound particularly worrying to me

userxx · 02/08/2021 14:49

Didn't you ask him?

LondonMummer · 02/08/2021 14:50

What on earth do you expect 101 to do about it??

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 02/08/2021 14:57

If you have a local Facebook community group I might post it on there as a beware man knocking on doors, anyone else had this? Kind if message.

WetWeekends · 02/08/2021 15:01

I would be unnerved by that. I wouldn’t ring 101 though because I can’t think of anything they could do to help.

JaneJeffer · 02/08/2021 15:08

Why didn't you speak to him?

PrivateParty · 02/08/2021 15:10

Sounds like the OP didn't have time to ask what he wanted as he walked off just after they answered the door..

Original poster
OddDoor · 02/08/2021 15:16

I didn't have time to ask him! I opened up and said "hello?" and my dog barked. He said that about being a guard dog and walked off quickly.

My dog doesn't bark any other time so he can't have been trying to track down a noise.

I'm not expecting 101 to do anything, I just meant to give them the info in case anything happens close by.

OP posts:
ZeroFuchsGiven · 02/08/2021 15:20

I just can't imagine a scenario where someone knocks at my door and I dont ask them what they want, even if they were walking away I would shout to ask them why they knocked.

Original poster
OddDoor · 02/08/2021 15:20

@LondonMummer

Maybe he is phobic about dogs. Doesn't sound particularly worrying to me
The way he said it was kind of smirky if that makes sense.

Nothing was posted through my letterbox.

He looked quite... Scruffy? In an old looking tracksuit with flip flops on. I've never seen him on my road before.

OP posts:
Original poster
OddDoor · 02/08/2021 15:22

@ZeroFuchsGiven

I just can't imagine a scenario where someone knocks at my door and I dont ask them what they want, even if they were walking away I would shout to ask them why they knocked.
Because I was a bit freaked out I guess. I just closed the door and locked it. Just gave me an off feeling completely.
OP posts:
LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow · 02/08/2021 15:25

When we had out two GSDs they would raise merry hell if anyone knocked at the door, or came in the house, all I ever said was "yes, they are very protective"

They were not to know both were soft as butter and absolute pussycats. I never locked a door for the whole time they were with us!!

Don't weird yourself out OP, be vigilant and maybe ask neighbours if they have seen the same guy, and give the barkypupper a nice treat!

toocold54 · 02/08/2021 15:33

Is your dog a barker? Maybe he was trying to track down the noise?

This is what I thought for him to say ‘oh that’s your guard dog’ if he hadn’t realised there was a dog he’d had said ‘oh you have a guard dog’ or ‘is that your guard dog’

It sounds weird but I wouldn’t be too concerned as if he was a concern he wouldn’t have acted so strangely.

WhatASmashingBlouseYouHaveOn · 02/08/2021 15:37

Perhaps he was scoping out your dog? There have been a spate of dog thefts (certain breeds of course) in our area. The criminal gangs look out for dogs of interest. I'd keep your door locked whilst at home without DH just to be safe.

StoneofDestiny · 02/08/2021 15:37

If you have a local Facebook community group I might post it on there as a beware man knocking on doors, anyone else had this?

This..

ChainJane · 02/08/2021 15:38

Never answer the door if you're not expecting someone, it's not worth it - it will either be a cold calling salesman or charity beggar or some weirdo as you got today.

Get a Ring doorbell and challenge them by all means, but don't answer the door.

userxx · 02/08/2021 15:41

@ChainJane

Never answer the door if you're not expecting someone, it's not worth it - it will either be a cold calling salesman or charity beggar or some weirdo as you got today.

Get a Ring doorbell and challenge them by all means, but don't answer the door.

Odd.
Suzi888 · 02/08/2021 15:43

Ask your neighbours? YANBU it sounds a very odd thing to do.

Greenrubber · 02/08/2021 15:44

Some people will chap your door and if there is no answer try the handle

It happened to my stepmum who was upstairs feeding her baby at the time! Once done she went to go downstairs only to be greeted by a random man walking up the stairs toward her! He left as soon as he seen her

DrunkenKoala · 02/08/2021 15:52

I can see why it’s unnerved you. I’d probably post something on any local groups, describing the person and what happened and see if anyone else has had him knocking at their doors - you’re also giving locals a heads up to any odd behaviour.

Sometimes these things do happen and you never get to the bottom of it. I remember a man knocking on my door early evening, trying to deliver me a can of coke. He then said something about wrong address and went and got in his car parked over the road and drove off. I was home with just my children and it unnerved me. Never saw him ago.