Dog barked at intruder- should I worry?

[PoultryInMotion]

This is possibly going to sound ridiculous but I suffer from anxiety and tend to escalate situations in my head far too much!

About an hour ago I was putting DD down for her nap when soneone knocked on the door. Because DD was nearly asleep I ignored it. When I put her in her bed I looked out but the person had gone so I just went about my business. I let my dog (border collie cross) into the garden and was surprised to see an approx 12 year old boy there. Dog was also obviously surprised and ran towards him barking. Boy bolted and jumped halfway up the fence (couldn't get all the way over, presumably in panic) I shouted asking what on earth was he doing in my garden? And realised he'd jumped over to retrieve his football.

I threw the football over and got dog by the collar (she hadn't actually gone near him but was still barking) I said he could come back through the house as I had a hold of the dog, but he just apologised and got over the fence.

Now I know I'm being an idiot but now I've got visions of his parents coming round complaining. Yes I know he was on my property without permission at the time but I'm frightened their may be allegations that my dog is visciuos (sp?) She's not, never bitten, does not growl, does bark to protect the property, and did not actually get near to this kid.

I feel like an idiot even writing this down but I've grown attached to my dog and don't have any experience of this. Admittedly it's my anxiety that needs addressing rather than the dog but it would make me feel better if you knowledgable dog owners could advise me of what may (and probably wont) happen?

I doubt very much the boy will even tell his parents

even if he did you would be perfectly entitled to say my dog will bark at strangers in my garden

dont worry about it

anxiety is awful isnt it

he shoudnt have been in your garden .. simples..

Don't worry about it. He'll be crapping his pants about being caught

I can't imagine the scenario at his house ...

Boy: "Mum, a dog barked at me!"
Mum:

Nothing will happen. She did what the majority of dogs would do. Shouted "Shit, there's someone in my garden!" in doggish. She hasn't done anything wrong or worthy of reprimand. :)

Don't think any more about it. Dog barks at strange boy in garden. Boy goes back into his own garden. Case closed

I have a 12 year old boy and he'd be more worried that I'd be cross with him for going into someone's garden uninvited than about the dog barking at him. In fact he'd probably keep quite in case I bollocked him

sorry that sounded like I was saying you were being daft.. .. wasnt meant to sound like that .. your dog was under control.. ie was in your garden and it only barked at someone who shouldnt have been there

PS I bloody love your username :)

Your dog did nothing wrong, so there is nothing to worry about.
If he had jumped into my garden that would have been a different kettle of fish. I wouldn't have had to feed the dogs for days, and they'd have had a new ball to play with.

Thank you everyone.

I know I'm being stupid, anxiety is awful, I hate it.

I'm hoping you're all right, he'll either not dare tell his parents or get told off for going in without permission in the first place. I've just had a really bad couple of years and keep waiting for the world to screw me over something that's trivial and not my fault again

P.S. Thank you obugrit right back atcha!

Agree, absolutely nothing to worry about. Dogs bark at intruders, it's what they do. Mine have alerted me to unwanted intruders twice, for which I was very grateful. Give her a big hug

Oh I wish my dog would bark at intruders - he will only bark at squirrels and foxes, a burglar could easily stroll in, pat him on the head, and help himself

I second everyone else, Poultry - you and your dog did absolutely nothing wrong (the boy did, though!)

I doubt he'd say a word to his parents or if he did so it would be in a sheepish fashion. His parents may even apologise, assuming he's a neighbour and the ball came over the fence.

And what can you say? "The dog was in the garden and he barked at him" -

Most parents would bollock the child for being in someone's garden uninvited. And your dog did nothing wrong. They bark at strangers on their territory, it's normal behaviour. Mine barked at a delivery person earlier which makes a pleasant change as the same lazy bastard slept right through an attempted break in

Yes, reassurance to be given as necessary - you're fine. your dog is fine and no-one is going to be cross with you.

You know you are worrying over nothing really, let it go in your mind - pop radio on and dance around a bit - it'll make you feel better and stop it going round and round. :)

Yes totally normal dog behaviour, she did nothing wrong at all. And it's probably taught the boy a valuable lesson about sneaking into people's gardens without asking!

I climbed over into our neighbour's garden once when I was a teenager, to retrieve my escaped bunny - I thought they were out, but they were in the conservatory having a big family dinner. Oh the shame.

Another time they had the family round for Sunday lunch, our cat stole their chicken which was defrosting on the side in their utility room.

Our neighbours loved us!

Sorry, I digress, and on the basis of your OP, don't worry - the boy won't tell his parents, I know this for a fact having been that boy!!!!

OK, I'm guessing the boy knocked at your front door to ask for his ball and on not getting an answer he went round the back to get it himself.

He was probably scared s*less when you opened the back door and the dog stated barking.

Theres every chance now he wont try jumping over again for his ball.

There is no problem, he shouldn't have been in your garden, your dog was on your property and did not attack him.

Your dog was doing his job.

On a serious note, there was a spate of intruders near us a few years ago (we backed onto open fields) and I rang the police to ask for advice because at the time we had a german shepherd who, lets say, was a very good guard dog. I asked what would happen if someone was intruding/trespassing in my garden and my GSD attacked them. The police answer was 'as long as your dog is securely on your property there is no problem, the intruder is in the wrong'

Bumble chased a man out of our garden the other day. he came in selling dusters etc. Bumble was in the hall with me when i put the chain on the door. I didnt realise he could get out of the gap!! He chased the man down the garden and the man swung his bag at him and told him to Fuck Off!!! asked the man to not use that language in my garden!!