My partners little girl cam through the kitchen yesterday, wearing her Halloween costume for all to see.  My dog began barking at her somewhat frantically..?

Anyone else had this bizarre experience?

I thought that dogs recognided you mostly by scent alone, and that is what puzzles me.

Plus he is fine about strangers coming into the house..

Any ideas..

This is natural.  There first thing is through sight and then to use their nose. 

Yeah, I thought it were natural as well.  However, given that a dog does not really determine what is a 'pretty' face and what is an 'ugly' one, you have to wonder if dogs would then logically give the same reaction to someone that was horribly facially disfigured..

Steve

No I think it's more that there's something strange about a person that they know well!

Hi, I've also heard of tales were dogs DO NOT like people that they know wearing hats!!! It must mess up their recognition of that person huh??! :D All the best, Dawn PS... My dogs BEG me to wear a mask...wot's all that about???LOL

was this costume making her an unusal shape?

The dog my of reconised her scent but when looked at her relised that something was different and wrong.

My dogs go totally crazy when we put our halloween masks on.  Personally I think it is because to them a stranger has appeared in the house, once they get close enough to hear our voices and smell us they are totally fine. Looking at their faces I see confusion and fear. (A bit like when I look in the mirror first thing in the morning :-) )

yes all mine totally freak at masks

one of mine goes beserk at people in hats! Even if it is one of my sons' she 'seriously' barks at them. Earlier tonight one of them came in with his halloween mask but she barked wagging her tail and wasn't really bothered. Now, hoodies are a different thing altogether, she absolutely has a fit even when she knows who's underneath it.

Dee

Dogs are creatures of habit it seems. My boy freaks out if I move an ornament out of place! God knows what he would do if i wore a disguise! :D

Are you serious about the ornament thing?  Imho, you must address this, as it is classic dominance..

2 out of my dogs are like this. The 2 that are very confident and outgoing it doesnt bother at all.
When i was young we had a dog that went mad if anything big and dark was on the washing line. ie dark coats and jeans.