'My nosy dog is not stuck in the garden gate'

Indy's playful antics had left some residents bemused and concerned

A woman whose "nosy" dog sticks its head through a gap in her garden gate has moved to reassure onlookers that her pet is not stuck.

Samantha Sutcliffe said her golden retriever Indy spent "all day, every day" sitting and poking her head through the hole to greet people walking by the gate, which backs on to a nature reserve in Long Eaton, Derbyshire.

But the one-year-old pup's behaviour has amused residents and left others concerned that she is in a spot of bother.

Samantha has now taken to social media to reassure people that her inquisitive dog is completely safe.

The one-year-old dog waits for hours by the garden gate

Samantha's gate backs on to the Manor Farm Nature Reserve

"We've had a few people try to push her back in [through the gate] - but giving her attention means she wants to come out even more," Samantha said.

"We started getting a couple of people trying to get our attention, saying: 'Oh, is she stuck, is she OK?'

"Yes, she's absolutely fine. She's not stuck. She chooses to stick her head out that hole.

"She's always supervised in the garden and she's always OK."

Samantha said her husband cut the hole in the gate in May so their pet cats could come and go as they pleased.

But just days later, Indy discovered the gap - and a new favourite pastime in the process.

"She was following one of the cats through [the hole] and her head went through and then she just saw this whole other world open up," Samantha said.

"She established if she sits with her head out the hole, people will see her and come up and have a fuss and give her attention.

"That's the best day ever for her."

But concerns over Indy's welfare prompted Samantha to post on the Spotted: Long Eaton Facebook page, in order to reassure people that her pet was not stuck, and simply a "very nosy neighbour".

The post has since been "liked" more than 1,000 times.

"The last thing I wanted was people to start worrying that she's stuck and calling the RSPCA and fire service, saying 'there's a stuck dog, come and save her'," Samantha added.

A resident who lives nearby, who asked to remain anonymous, said Indy was the "neighbourhood's unofficial security guard".

"Beautiful Indy is always there with her head poking through the bottom of the gate when my miniature schnauzer and I pass by to say hello.

"She never fails to brighten our day."

A spokeswoman from the Dogs Trust charity said: "Dogs are naturally curious and sociable animals, and many enjoy watching the world go by.

"For some, peering through a window or a gap in a garden fence becomes part of their daily routine - a chance to observe their surroundings."

She added: "That said, it's important for owners to ensure that fences remain secure to prevent dogs from escaping or being at risk of theft.

"It's also a good idea to make sure your dog has a quiet, comfortable space to retreat to when they've had enough of the outside world."