I reckon it's to do with the demeanor of the person - when I was doing census we were told to rattle the gate, wait, rattle the gate, wait and then only enter if no dog. I did that at one house and was at the top of the steps of the beautiful Queenslander when I heard a great ruckus behind me - it was a rottie - I almost pee'd myself! I just said to the dog "where's your ball" and he went off, got the ball and I threw it for him while I put the stuff under the door.

When I came to collect the census stuff I returned when the peeps were home, and they asked how I got in there to do that as their dog usually attacks and bites people (gee, thanks for putting a "beware of the dog" sign on your gate!!!). I reckon it was cause I didn't show fear - same as other times I've almost been attacked and told dogs to "sit" and they do. My mum however screeches and that tends to hype up the dogs and I've had to rescue her a few times, from the same dogs.

I do hope nobody else has this problem, and TBH if strange people aren't wandering around your yard cause your dog is protective, I reckon that's the job of a dog.