To think this is really weird? Report?

[OddDoor]

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

That would really unnerve me too. Such a weird interaction, and he left when he knew you had a dog. out of interest, is it a big dog or a tiny dog?

But I would call 101, nothing to lose and just explain you had this strange encounter, home alone and the man left when he saw/heard your dog, and what he said.

He could have been looking for houses which were empty, or worse with vulnerable/alone people in them.

You never know, there may have been other reports made about him, or even reports of someone entering peoples houses which fit his description.

@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.

Yes, definitely report it as a strange man. I’ve done that before and the police took details, said they were useful if further incidents were reported, and also visited the area where I’d seen the strangely behaving man for a few days.

OP, also check your property/fence/pavement for random marks. Some gangs scout out houses with desirable dogs and mark them discreetly for later thefts. Look for chalk marks, pebbles arranged in a shape, marks on the bricks, etc.

@BreatheAndFocus

OP, also check your property/fence/pavement for random marks. Some gangs scout out houses with desirable dogs and mark them discreetly for later thefts. Look for chalk marks, pebbles arranged in a shape, marks on the bricks, etc.

Do the gangs not have phones? Are they illiterate? I don’t understand this. There are lots of messaging apps that are totally secure and permanently delete messages. Our local Facebook group has pictures of limescale marks etc with ‘beware gangs are after your dogs’ captions, so I’d love this explained.

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

First rule of Mumsnet. Never answer the door to anyone because every second person is an axe murderer.

I get Alexa to bark if I get an unexpected knock on the door…..

Do the gangs not have phones? Are they illiterate? I don’t understand this. There are lots of messaging apps that are totally secure and permanently delete messages. Our local Facebook group has pictures of limescale marks etc with ‘beware gangs are after your dogs’ captions, so I’d love this explained

I don’t know. I was told ‘junior’ people mark the houses and then professional gangs tour large areas and watch marked properties for opportunities to steal the dogs. That is, they don’t aim for one house, they have multiple marked options.

Are you sure it wasn't a delivery person? The ones here knock and leave the parcel (somewhere different every time) then walk away, if I open the door while they're there they still generally don't give me it so out does sound similar.

I'm another one who would be worried about my dog in this instance. Overreacting maybe, but my heart breaks for those who have had theirs taken, so I'd be keeping doors locked and a really close eye on your pup.

Definitely report it. He may have been checking whether your home was empty.

MN weirdos who don't answer their front doors just why?

Do you have a page on FB for your local area.. something like this happens in my town and everyone knows and is on the look out within 5 mins.
Deffo report to 101 so they have it.
Oh and I would have answered.. if someone knocks your door you answer!

@Haveyoubrushedyourteeth

I'm another one who would be worried about my dog in this instance. Overreacting maybe, but my heart breaks for those who have had theirs taken, so I'd be keeping doors locked and a really close eye on your pup.

Yes my first thought. Do you have a Cocker spaniel or terrier type breed OP? Every day here people posting on facebook about dogs taken from secure gardens, people knocking on doors asking random questions about nothing but seemingly ‘noticing’ the dog. It’s so sad, and I don’t really what to know what happens to these poor dogs....

Wonder if his name is Jim? Is your dog called Wilson?

I thought not answering the door was an MN urban legend that didn’t exist. Seems it is true after all. Why are people so wired.

Do you have a Cocker spaniel or terrier type breed OP?

Yes he's a Cocker 😳

"Never answer the door"? How fucking weird is that?

My guess is, he's checking to see which houses are unoccupied. Now he knows you have a dog, he won't be back. I once asked a group of burglars what put them off a property, and they all said, dogs.

I suspect it’s something and nothing.

Get a ring doorbell?

@OddDoor

Do you have a Cocker spaniel or terrier type breed OP?

Yes he's a Cocker 😳

@Haveyoubrushedyourteeth is right OP. Just keep an eye on your doggie and don’t let him wander - don’t let him out in the garden unsupervised for a while - it might not be your dog that they were looking for but best be on the safe side.