I think it's survival of the dogs when they don't bark they don't want to draw attention to them selves. LOL when the blk bear came right up to our back door, thank goodness our 4 didn't go running out the dog door barking they would have been mince meat in a matter of seconds. Good to see you Younger.What a beautiful place to live StacyAK. We have three beagles and from the noise at times you would think I own 12. However the other night I went outside after dark to let the dogs out for their last bathroom break before bed and there were two coyotes on the yard. Not one of the dogs barked. They all slunk back to the door, scrambling to get in the house. (They are in a large fenced in area) but they could have still barked. LOL Thank goodness the ducks and chickens were tucked away safe and sound. The chickens are good at putting themselves to bed and are always in when I go out to close up coops at 6:00-6:30pm. The two ducks are a little more stubborn and wait for me to waif them out of the pond. I think it's a game to them now.