Petey, The Nearsighted Protector?

Monday was John's first day out of school on the break between spring and summer semesters. I knew this, John knew this, but sadly no one told Petey. Monday morning, I got up as usual since I have real job that does not give extended breaks every few months. Petey, as usual, hopped up in the bed in my spot. John was already up, so nothing seemed any different to him. I left for work, leaving Petey in the bed as usual.

Sometime later in the morning John decided to work in the yard. He left the door propped open in case Petey decided to wander out at some point. And at some point he did. He immediately realized that an unknown interloper was in the back yard. He went on full alert, puffing himself up as much as his little 12 lb body would allow, and barking his best 'I'll rip your head off' bark and set off at a full charge against this imminent danger in the back yard.

John turned to see what had caused Petey such distress, but saw nothing between the two of them. As Petey rushed ever nearer, John asked what the problem was. Petey paused for only the briefest of moments and charged past John in to the neighboring yard continuing to bark his fiercest bark and puffing his body to its most terrifying size, after a danger John never saw.

After a bit, he came trotting back the conquering hero. Now we are left with the dilemma -
* Was John in very serious danger which was invisible to him and Petey saved his life?
* Did Petey try to cover his mistake, and maybe embarrassment, of barking at John by barking at nothing in another yard, thereby covering up?

We're taking a vote. What do you think?
Real danger
Real clever