need advice (neighbors agressive dogs)

[maxiesmom]

I am hoping you all can give me some ideas about how to cope with our neighbors agressive dogs. I am very frightened for my own dogs.

We have been on good terms with these neighbors, and before they had these 2 dogs they had a different dog who we actually had come over and play with our 2 dogs. That dog had to be put down, and they decided to get 2 dogs. Unfortunately one of them is very mean. Even though we have a chain link fence, I am very affraid that she will get over the fence and attack my dogs.

In chatting over the fence these neighbors have said that they are aware there is a problem, but they don't seem to care enough to do anything about it. The one dog (Baya) has actually nipped at another neighbor. All they have told us is they have written Cesar and hope he will come help them, which doesn't seem very likely.

Any ideas on what we can do? I know we can't force these people to take their dogs to training, which is what they seem to need. They are outside all day long, tearing up the patio furniture, and shredding anything else that is left outside. When we let our dogs out they pace the fence line that we share. So much so that they have no grass on their side of the fence for the length of the whole fence! And they bark the whole time too.

Any ideas? I'm even wondering if we could plant some sort of bush the whole fence line that would help block their sight line, but that would be pretty expensive as it is a pretty long fence. I really don't know what to do but I would be devistated if something happend and my dogs ended up hurt or worse.

 

[BelleRocks]

I think your only option is to put up a privacy fence on the line you share.

I wish we had done this in our other home. Our neighbors had a very mean dog at the time we got a puppy. Our puppy was so friendly and would go up to the fence to try to play. The other dog would snarl and bite at the fence. Eventually, my friendly puppy started responding in kind! She became very aggressive herself and it was a huge issue to try to retrain the behavior. At the time it seemed like too big of a deal to put up a privacy fence, but in retrospect I wish we had.

 

[yoopermom]

I don't want to scare you, but this could be a potentially dangerous situation very, very fast. First, document, document, document. Videotape, if possible. Write everything down with names/dates/details. Do they have continual access to food/water/shelter? (If not, animal control should be involved.) Second, is there any way you can block their line of sight to your property? I know it would be ugly, but they obviously have tons of pent up energy/aggression. Bushes would take a long time to grow, but would help in the long run. We have one female who can "scale" almost any fence, if she can get her back toes into the fence, so don't think these dogs won't figure out how to get into your yard if they really want to. If I were you, I would NOT let my dog or any child out into that yard without adult supervision until the situation is resolved. I would also keep my phone with me at all times in case you need to call 911, and plans on "what I would do" if the dogs did get in and attack a dog or human.

Sigh. I feel for you AND for these dogs, who obviously do not have an owner who has a lick of common sense. I'm sure his insurance would be *thrilled* to know of the aggressive dog (not).

Terri

 

[Pea-n-Me]

"Fence Running" left unchecked can contribute to a dog's aggressiveness.

There, saved them a trip to see Cesar.

Google the term as it relates to dogs and you will find a lot of information. I'd seriously print it up and give it to them - since they seem to be motivated to learn. It needs to stop. They need to think of it in terms of how the dog sees it. It sounds like they don't have enough or the right type of supervision.

As for myself, if it were me and I didn't already have a fence, I'd put one up and keep my own dogs away from it. Your dogs can learn bad behaviors from this as well.

Good luck.

PS the dog that seems aggressive *may be* just fine if not allowed to do this (or he may be territorially aggressive). Either way, they need to be more in charge to prevent problems.

 

[tommya60]

You might try planting a fast growing vine along the fence---something like creeping fig. I'd probably print out the information, give it to the neighbor, and then videotape/take notes etc. Can you put up some type of fence on your side that is more solid? Even painted plywood might make things safer for your dogs.

You might want to call Animal Control in your area and find out what the laws are in your town, what they suggest to help resolve the issue. I would.