It's amazing how instinct takes over even at a young age. Our dogs are very people socialized (other animals...not so good), but there have been a few that have gotten our male really worked up just by being around.

Most times it's really been fairly accurate, since 99% of the feedback we get from their aquaintenances has been accurate. We had a friend of ours one time introduce us to a friend of his. Immediately Rio (at the time 6 months) "hit" on him. Hair on the back of his neck stood up, he was posed in a locked stance, and bless his heart, his little eety beety growling. We found out later on that day, he was arrested for drug possession about an hour later.

Jazzmine caught a thief a week after adopting her. We knew it was the guy before the other person involved fessed up to it. Jazzmine immediately growled, barked, and locked as soon as he showed up with the cop. Had this not been him, Jazz's reaction would not have been so definate.

Yeah I would say, instinct and good judgement. I won't question either one of their judgements to this day either.