[harley_quinn]

Hi,

my dog RARELY barks at other people and dogs. I can probably say that she's only barked at about four specific people on our walks in a "stay away" kind of way. She does bark if somebody comes into our home, approaches our home, or if there is a knock at the door (mostly when I'm alone, not so much with others). Then after she gets to know them (after a couple of pets and kindness, or if we say to be quiet) she is more content to vie for their attention. She is a friendly dog, but what makes her bark at those specific people on our walks? Is it true that some dogs "just know" people, should I be wary of people she doesn't like?

Also, she doesn't have a problem with children, but she did bark at my three year old cousin. He spent an afternoon tormenting the two of us, hitting us with a foam toy, and relentlessly pestering my little dog. I told him to stop, and said she was going to bite him if he didn't. She didn't bite, or even growl. My grandmother asked if she was up to date on her shots, and since she is, said to let her bite him (she was kidding). I said that I didn't want her to think it was okay. We just stayed away from him. The next morning, my aunt brought my cousin over, again . Harley did nothing while he was sleeping, but when he woke up, she barked like crazy. It didn't last long, but after she was done with her "rant" she went back to normal. She allows him to pet her and has not displayed any more aggressive behavior towards the child.