Dog Talk: Some dogs dislike men, others dislike women – how can they tell who's who?

The sebaceous glands that lie just beneath the skin may put out a specific scent, especially with new mums, because babies gravitate to them for feeding. Photo: 123rf.com

When I open my gate, my friend Jynn who lives across the street will pop up and woof, inviting me over for a chat. We hang out, with her standing on her back paws, nose poking through the gate, and me stroking her.

The thing is, when she sees Tom, she backs off. Her tail goes down, her chin comes up, and then she barks. It's not the friendly woof she has for me; it's a big sound, meant to intimidate.