Help me figure out what to do about the neighbors dogs!

[tarheelmjfan]

This is a terrible situation to be in, I feel for you. I agree with the others who said to contact Animal Control first and the local police department second. I have a very good friend that has a Pit and I have only ever been to her house once because of it. She continues to tell me daily how sweet and loving the dog is...but the one time I was over there with my DD14, the dog was snarling at us the whole time and my friend just kept saying..."oh stop you big lovebug" to the dog. My DD and I were both terrified the entire time! There is no way I feel comfortable being there or having her come over to our house with the dog. It has hurt our friendship a little, but the safety of my family is more important.

lol... Part of my job is going into homes on a daily basis. One of these visits included going into a home that had a pit bull for a pet. The owner said, "oh, he likes you." This dog that liked me bit & scratched my leg. My leg had very visible bite & scratch marks for days. I'd hate to meet one that didn't like me.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

lol... Part of my job is going into homes on a daily basis. One of these visits included going into a home that had a pit bull for a pet. The owner said, "oh, he likes you." This dog that liked me bit & scratched my leg. My leg had very visible bite & scratch marks for days. I'd hate to meet one that didn't like me.

Then you would be terrified of my cat

 

[dotfurio]

I appreciate all the responses and advice. You've all given me a lot to think about. To answer a couple questions, we equally share the fence. It's a wood board fence and the dog will get ahold of a board from the bottom I think and tear or chew it. The holes it creates are always at the bottom of the fence. We have no HOA. They are owners, not renters.

I think for now we are going to contact animal control tomorrow just to ask questions and see what our options are and what the law says, then we are going to have a talk with the neighbors and tell them they need to secure the dog/fence on their side and we will be reporting any further acts of aggression. I wanted to keep things nice but we can't live in fear of our own backyard,and if it hurts our relationship so be it. I've been stewing about this all day. Believe me, we're not gun owners, but it has definitely crossed my mind the lengths I'd be willing to go. We definitely are still doing something to secure it on our side, too. I'm not sure what yet.

I don't mind barking really, but this isn't the normal barking and running along the fence dogs do. They have 2 pits and one is fine, doing the normal stuff, but this aggressive one I'm certain would attack if it came into contact with one of us or our dog. I'm not generally prejudice towards pitbulls, as my mother in law had one and it was the sweetest thing. But when talking about an aggressive dog, I do take a pitbull more seriously than other breeds because of their strength.

We don't intend to meet the dog with our kids and dog, but DH and I might try just to get a better feel for their dog. It won't make me feel any safer from the dog, since dogs can act completely different when in the presence of their owner. I'll update after we talk to them.

 

[mummabear]

I appreciate all the responses and advice. You've all given me a lot to think about. To answer a couple questions, we equally share the fence. It's a wood board fence and the dog will get ahold of a board from the bottom I think and tear or chew it. The holes it creates are always at the bottom of the fence. We have no HOA. They are owners, not renters.

I think for now we are going to contact animal control tomorrow just to ask questions and see what our options are and what the law says, then we are going to have a talk with the neighbors and tell them they need to secure the dog/fence on their side and we will be reporting any further acts of aggression. I wanted to keep things nice but we can't live in fear of our own backyard,and if it hurts our relationship so be it. I've been stewing about this all day. Believe me, we're not gun owners, but it has definitely crossed my mind the lengths I'd be willing to go. We definitely are still doing something to secure it on our side, too. I'm not sure what yet.

I don't mind barking really, but this isn't the normal barking and running along the fence dogs do. They have 2 pits and one is fine, doing the normal stuff, but this aggressive one I'm certain would attack if it came into contact with one of us or our dog. I'm not generally prejudice towards pitbulls, as my mother in law had one and it was the sweetest thing. But when talking about an aggressive dog, I do take a pitbull more seriously than other breeds because of their strength.

We don't intend to meet the dog with our kids and dog, but DH and I might try just to get a better feel for their dog. It won't make me feel any safer from the dog, since dogs can act completely different when in the presence of their owner. I'll update after we talk to them.

Sounds like a solid plan.
I am think if at this time the do owners are trying to rectify issues then showing them some "respect" as in I appreciate that the dogs are members of your family and that you care deeply for them will help them see you aren't dog haters while getting them to clearly see that the situation is unacceptable. Point out that you have been accomodating thus far.
When we first built our house of dog (golden retriever) escaped our yard several times, each time we would fix where we thought he was getting out but it took about 4 tries to get it right and he has not escaped in the 9 years since. (My point being that they made the attempt at securing the fence better), it sounds like these aren't puppies and they have obviously been living somewhere previously, perhaps these issues are new to them.

If you don't want a gun(understandable) I would suggest having a baseball bat out in the backyard.

As far as posters saying they have rules around never leaving their dogs outside unsupervised: what do people do with their dogs while they are at work? Our dog spent years in the backyard during working hours-very common here.

 

[manning]

That dog hasn't been properly trained. If the owners can't find the time to train they should do themselves and the dog a favor by giving it up.

 

[Dentam]

As far as posters saying they have rules around never leaving their dogs outside unsupervised: what do people do with their dogs while they are at work? Our dog spent years in the backyard during working hours-very common here.

My dog is inside the house whenever I'm at work. I come home at lunch to let her out, then back in she goes for the remainder of my work day. I would not feel comfortable leaving her out while I'm at work, not because she's aggressive, but because I worry someone would open the gate, or she would get out, or she would bark and annoy the neighbors. Dogs are also stolen from people's yards sometimes. Nope, I feel much better having her safe inside and she mostly just naps all day. When she was younger and filled with energy, I'd take her to doggy daycare to help her get the crazies out so she wouldn't take it out on my house.

 

[QueenIsabella]

In our county, it's illegal to leave a dog outside unattended. I suspect this has to do with the temperature--it's in the 90's for 2 solid months (at least) every summer. We have a small dog and a picket fenced-in back yard. Although our dog has never jumped the fence, she's a jumper generally, so I worry. I won't even let her be out back without keeping an eye on her. Doggy day care seems really popular here, both with dogs and owners.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

My dog:
A- Hates being outside
B- As I've said before is agressive towards other dogs on his fence line (we have a corner lot). We go out with him every time he goes out because of that, whether it is 75 or -2 out. He goes out, does his business and wants right back in.

He would be really upset if we left him outside for any period of time.

 

[dclpluto]

Got a friend his moms dog was inside their fence the pit Bull.broke into the fence and killed the dog. It was a old wooden fence.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Please do not go over there.

The dog is aggressive and territorial on YOUR property, it will likely be so on his as well.

Your neighbors are not doing their job. You need to have a conversation with them and tell them what you've posted here. Their dog is making it so you cannot feel safe in your own yard. That is unacceptable.

There is no reason an aggressive dog should be out unsupervised. Ever. I would tell the neighbor that if you so much as see a hair of that dog through the barrier between your yards, you will be calling animal control.

If a dog that aggressive gets after your child, well, I can't even finish the thought.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I appreciate all the responses and advice. You've all given me a lot to think about. To answer a couple questions, we equally share the fence. It's a wood board fence and the dog will get ahold of a board from the bottom I think and tear or chew it. The holes it creates are always at the bottom of the fence. We have no HOA. They are owners, not renters.

Easy solution is to put up another fence, something strong, against the wood fence. You want double protection. Look into metal deer fences or some other fencing to keep your family safe.

I will never share a fence again if I can help it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My dog:
A- Hates being outside
B- As I've said before is agressive towards other dogs on his fence line (we have a corner lot). We go out with him every time he goes out because of that, whether it is 75 or -2 out. He goes out, does his business and wants right back in.

He would be really upset if we left him outside for any period of time.

I have a dog like this as well. He is not allowed to be aggressive outside and everyone who takes him out corrects him.

Neighbors behind us have 2 puppies recently one is a Husky, other is a lab, and yes they are adorable. Butters (my 12yo aggressive dog) LOVES the Husky because it is a SHE and they share the whole back fence. Then the lab BOY puppy came under 3 months ago and well of course the puppies play constantly with each other when out so Butters is aggressive with the Lab.

FUN TIMES....not. I am training constantly now. The puppy barks at Butters to play and then Butters wants to kill him.

Butters wants to stay outside all day. I have to herd him in.

 

[luvsJack]

I appreciate all the responses and advice. You've all given me a lot to think about. To answer a couple questions, we equally share the fence. It's a wood board fence and the dog will get ahold of a board from the bottom I think and tear or chew it. The holes it creates are always at the bottom of the fence. We have no HOA. They are owners, not renters.

I think for now we are going to contact animal control tomorrow just to ask questions and see what our options are and what the law says, then we are going to have a talk with the neighbors and tell them they need to secure the dog/fence on their side and we will be reporting any further acts of aggression. I wanted to keep things nice but we can't live in fear of our own backyard,and if it hurts our relationship so be it. I've been stewing about this all day. Believe me, we're not gun owners, but it has definitely crossed my mind the lengths I'd be willing to go. We definitely are still doing something to secure it on our side, too. I'm not sure what yet.

I don't mind barking really, but this isn't the normal barking and running along the fence dogs do. They have 2 pits and one is fine, doing the normal stuff, but this aggressive one I'm certain would attack if it came into contact with one of us or our dog. I'm not generally prejudice towards pitbulls, as my mother in law had one and it was the sweetest thing. But when talking about an aggressive dog, I do take a pitbull more seriously than other breeds because of their strength.

We don't intend to meet the dog with our kids and dog, but DH and I might try just to get a better feel for their dog. It won't make me feel any safer from the dog, since dogs can act completely different when in the presence of their owner. I'll update after we talk to them.

Sounds like a good plan. I would point blank ask if the dog has ever attacked anyone or anything.

I will say this, I have a dog that will bark and growl at the back door like he is going to tear something to pieces. I mean he seriously sounds vicious. He wouldn't hurt a fly. He is barking at whatever critter he sees out the back door at the moment. But, he is a smaller dog so not the worry that another breed may be.

If the dog owner is willing to do anything to not have animal control take the dog, I would suggest the reinforcement of the fence suggested by a pp and an electronic collar. He can set it so the boundary is a foot or so back from the fence and the dog will get used to not going further than that boundary. We have one on our Curr and DS has one on his Pitt. Even when the batteries die in the collar, both dogs stay within their boundary. DS's dog used to be aggressive to other dogs but with the collar she just stands within her area and barks a couple of times. She never tries to run at them. A lot of people do not like the fact that the dog gets a shock but it does control the dog and teaches them.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Easy solution is to put up another fence, something strong, against the wood fence. You want double protection. Look into metal deer fences or some other fencing to keep your family safe.

I will never share a fence again if I can help it.

In my neighborhood we can only have black metal fencing like this:



(This is my backyard and the neighbor's fence is shown)


Well our neighbor offered to have us tie into his post but my husband and I both agreed that when we do our fencing we will not be tying into his and just running it right next to it. The other neighbor doesn't have a fence right now but if they ever decide to get one we'll tell them that we don't want them to tie into our fence. It's rarely done to not share but we feel much better about having it be separate. I guess though we would have to ensure the HOA doesn't have an issue with not tying it;you already have to get pre-approval for building a fence anyways from the HOA.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

In my neighborhood we can only have black metal fencing like this:

View attachment 220304

(This is my backyard and the neighbor's fence is shown)


Well our neighbor offered to have us tie into his post but my husband and I both agreed that when we do our fencing we will not be tying into his and just running it right next to it. The other neighbor doesn't have a fence right now but if they ever decide to get one we'll tell them that we don't want them to tie into our fence. It's rarely done to not share but we feel much better about having it be separate. I guess though we would have to ensure the HOA doesn't have an issue with not tying it;you already have to get pre-approval for building a fence anyways from the HOA.

Op says she has not HOA so she could put up another fence.

I have the same metal fencing and let me tell you, my dog Butters almost got through the fencing one day. He ran at full speed to attack another dog. He was so focused on attacking that he literally forgot about the fence and rammed almost right through it. I was outside thankfully and was able to get him in the house before he got out of gap he left. Those metal fences are not safe at ALL. No way.

I am glad you are putting up your own fence. We made the mistake of telling our neighbor we could then he proceeded to landscape with rocks that was breaking our fence. We were able to resolve that over the past fall, thank goodness.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Op says she has not HOA so she could put up another fence.

I have the same metal fencing and let me tell you, my dog Butters almost got through the fencing one day. He ran at full speed to attack another dog. He was so focused on attacking that he literally forgot about the fence and rammed almost right through it. I was outside thankfully and was able to get him in the house before he got out of gap he left. Those metal fences are not safe at ALL. No way.

I am glad you are putting up your own fence. We made the mistake of telling our neighbor we could then he proceeded to landscape with rocks that was breaking our fence. We were able to resolve that over the past fall, thank goodness.

Oh yeah I knew about the OP not having an HOA was just bouncing off of your comment.

That is one powerful dog whoa. I don't think I've seen any fences broken or bent around here (unless at the top due to a tree/branch falling on it). Man that sucks about the landscape rock ugh but glad it got resolved.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Oh yeah I knew about the OP not having an HOA was just bouncing off of your comment.

That is one powerful dog whoa. I don't think I've seen any fences broken or bent around here (unless at the top due to a tree/branch falling on it). Man that sucks about the landscape rock ugh but glad it got resolved.

Butters is powerful but he is no where even close to what a pitbull could do to an aluminum fence. They would get through it like tissue paper.

I really want to order that collar from that infomercial, "the perfect dog". It is a plastic pinch collar.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Now we need dog pics. Here are the puppies. Even though the lab looks large he is only about 4 months old, lol. The husky is about 6 months old. You can see the fences. The lab neighbor put up his own fence against ours and the husky neighbor connected to ours. (Won't make that mistake again...just say no if you can.)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

And here is Butters.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

And Gracie