Problem with neighbors dog, wwyd?
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive October 2008:
Problem with neighbors dog, wwyd?
We have lived in our cul-de-sac for about a year now. It is a new cul-de-sac so all of our neighbors and us moved in around the same time.
Our neighbors got a dog last spring. Since then we have talked to them twice about the dog coming in our yard to do it's business, and taking things from our garage and chewing them up.
After we talk to them, it gets better for a few days, and then back to the same thing again.
We put pumpkins on our porch a couple of weeks ago, and the dog has taken them twice now (the small ones). She has also chewed up two of our bushes that ended in the bushes dying.
What we are worried about right now, is that Christmas decorating is coming soon. We have those white lighted deer and trees for our front yard. We are worried sick that she is going to chew them and ruin them. Part of me doesn't even want to put them up, but that isn't really fair to us, is it?
I guess I'm just wondering what you would do with this whole situation. Like I said, we've talked to them twice (nicely). They've never apologized, just blamed it on her being a puppy and saying she'll get better as she gets older. We actually called animal control once when she was in our garage chewing on stuff. But they came too late and she was back at her own house by the time they showed up.
It's like they don't even really care that she is ruining someone else's things. They don't seem concerned with her or her behavior at all. If someone were to talk to me about our dog (we don't have a dog right now), I would be mortified and I'd be on that dog like white on rice making sure she didn't go anywhere.
So frustrated!
Do you have a cellphone that can take pictures? If so, start taking pictures every time the dog is in your yard chewing on things or messing.
Check with Animal Control and find out what the laws are in your community. I would be very, very surprised if the law does not require that animals be under control at all times (i.e., leashed or behind a fence).
Talk to other neighbors and find out if they are having the same problem. I would be surprised if they are not.
Is this set of neighbors "friends" - that is, did you consider them friends before they got the dog, or are they just neighbors.
I know I'm asking questions instead of answering yours, but your answers will help me and others think of suggestions. But here are some things you can do. First, keep your garage door closed. Second, go to the garden shop and get the kind of "pepper spray" that people spray on their plants to discourage deer and other plant eaters. Spray this on your bushes at the level where the dog chews. It is a hot pepper, gives a burning sensation on the tongue, but is not otherwise harmful. Also spray your display pumpkins (be careful to wear gloves when handling the pumpkins, as this stuff can be uncomfortable on skin).
And I totally agree. Your neighbors are the kind of irresponsible dog owners who give other dog owners a bad name. Just think what life may be like when they have kids!!
I think it's sad that they don't care that their own dog is simply off their property and running around the neighborhood! That, to me, is neglect.
Sorry they are so neglectful of *everyone* around them too! I'd be mortified if that were my dog too.
Our city does have a leash law and recently sent out a reminder for dog owners stating the leash law.
We have talked to our other neighbors and they have the same problems with the dog.
We aren't good friends with the dog owners, however our kids (yes, they already have kids.) play together out in the street. I don't want to mess that up. But, we haven't ever done anything with the couple that owns the dog other than chit-chatting if we are outside at the same time.
Funny you would say to take pictures, because we have several of her in our yard digging up our grass. We also took one of her down the street on a neighbors porch.
I never thought of spraying something on the bushes and holiday stuff. Good idea.
The dog spends most of it's life in a tiny animal carrier. It's a bigger dog, a collie. I doubt she can even stand up in the carrier anymore. She definitely wouldn't be able to stretch out. She is let out after they get home from work, and on weekends.
The ironic thing here is that I *love* animals. I know it's not the poor dogs fault, and she really is a cute dog. I know it's the owners fault. When I look out and see the dog carting off our pumpkins, it's not the dog that makes me mad, it's the owners. I dislike them more everyday. One of our pumpkins is currently in their front yard, and I know they had to see it when they left for work.
I guess I should mention that we want this to all end in peace and happiness. We don't want to be enemies with our neighbors. Who wants that, right? I just want them to take responsibility for their pet.
It doesn't take rocket science to know that you shouldn't let your dog have free reign of the neighborhood. Jasmine doesn't run off and stays by me, when there are dogs walking in front of my house, so I don't usually have her on a leash, when we are outside, but I'm always out there with her. If I can anticipate a dog coming, sometimes I just put her back in the house.
With people on the sidewalk, she won't approach them, unless I tell her it's okay. Sometimes people do want to pet her.
I don't have any suggestions for you. Taking picture evidence sounds like a good idea.
I'm sorry they haven't gotten a clue that she needs a bigger crate. Jasmine's is 24" by 36" and is plenty big for her to stretch out, turn around and stand. It's probably too small for a collie, though.
They should be keeping an eye on her, when she is outside.
They are not going to take responsibility unless you and your neighbors start calling the dog officer, each and every time it gets loose. If they cared about staying on good terms w/the neighborhood they wouldn't let this keep happening and they would have offered to replace the items their dog has damaged.
My neighbor had a problem with a neighbor dog digging under her fence. She sprinkled a whole big Costco size container of cayenne pepper down the length of the fence and after once or twice of the dog digging and getting the stuff in his nose, the digging stopped. You may want to make sure that it's safe for dogs but it worked for my friend. You may have to do it a few times to train the dog to stay off of your property but it's cheap and worth a shot!
That's what I hate. That *I* have to train *their* dog.
We live in a small community, and it takes the animal control officer FOREVER to get anywhere. He covers the whole county which is a 30 mile stretch.
Even if they were just apologetic it would make me feel better. But it's almost like they can' believe we would even bring it up and "she's just a puppy".
Even when they are outside with the dog, they let the dog run up and down the street. They don't make her stay in the yard.
I know that if she damages our Christmas decorations, my DH will be livid. He is very non-confrontational and hates to make waves with people. But I think that would push him over the edge.
I feel like we are going to have to be very blunt with the neighbors at some point. We will have to tell them that we will file a complaint with animal control if things aren't taken care of. We are just chickens.
What is concerning me is that you say the dog is kept in a small animal carrier during the day, and maybe can't even stand up. If that's accurate, it is inexcusable and is animal cruelty. My son kept his Weimeraner in a "cage" when they were out, because she chewed (I forget exactly what the container is called), but it was more than twice her size, she could stand up, turn around, move from the front to back of it, and stretch out. If they are keeping the dog in a small carrier type container, no wonder it goes wild when it gets out.
Definitely not the dog's fault. And yes, the pepper will work. But as to harm - I'll ask Scott.
One thing you can do is keep your garden hose hooked up (as long as your area doesn't go down to freezing at night) and the pressure turned on, and give the dog a good solid squirt when she is in your yard. For most dogs this is very discouraging. I'll ask Scott about other non-harmful techniques.
Thanks Ginny.
We had a similar problem at our old house, but we never spoke with the neighbors because they lived so far down the road. (we were out in the country) Anyway, I understand that you don't want to cause friction with the neighbors, but you've asked and they aren't being responsible.
I think you should notify the neighbor that the next time the dog is loose you are calling the Humane Society to have him picked up. Paying $50 to get him/her out might be a wake-up call. This is exactly what we did at our old house. The dog came into our yard for the 5th time. I found the # for where the dog came from and called them to say that if they didn't get the dog immediately the HS would be picking him up. She was NOT happy, but too bad. We have 2 dogs who have never been loose because we are responsible and take care of them as a respect to everyone. She came and got the dog pronto all of a sudden, even though in the past she had let him run.
We never saw him again. I frankly would do just that. It sounds like he is a nuisance and damaging to everyone's property/things, so you're not the only one. It's a tough situation. I personally wouldn't train anyone's dog. I would call the HS each and every time I saw the dog in my yard until it stops. Good luck.
We have a part time dog officer. I had a neighbor that had about 6 dogs (not legal without a kennel license) and one was a howler. she would put them out at night and then leave for the night. I can't tell you how many times at 3am I called the police because her dogs were howling away. I would file a complaint with the dog officer and start calling the police every time the dog is loose(we don't have a humane society near us). Seriously, a fine is the only thing that people like this understand.
I would check out the local garden shops for animal deterrent sprays. And hosing the dog with cold water would be sufficiently deterrent, unless the dog is an utter bonehead or really likes getting wet.
All that aside, it is the responsibility of the dog's owner to contain their animal. If it continues to be an issue, I'd start taking pictures and alluding to Making An Issue Of It.
Thanks everyone. Our main concern has been to keep peace with the neighbors, since we all plan to be here for a long time to come. But since it's starting to cost us money (replacing plants, ruined pumpkins that we had to pay for, purchasing animal deterrent sprays, etc.) I don't think we can let it go on much longer.
I wonder if we could call the animal control officer and make a "complaint" that would result in the officer having to go to the house and tell them that there has been a complaint. Usually when the officer is called, they just do a drive by and if they don't see anything they keep on going. They don't ever actually get out and do anything. Maybe that would be a good first step if she keeps coming over.
Thanks again for your thoughts.
That's what I did. I called and made a complaint to the officer as did everyone else on the street. They don't bark anymore.
Maybe, when the dog is out and about, put a leash on the dog and bring it back to them. They might get annoyed at how many times they have you ring their doorbell, yet it makes you look like you're just trying to do the right thing.
Not sure... 
LoL Heidi, maybe that would help. I would be on their doorstep a dozen times every evening.
Something strange, sometimes they put a leash on the dog and she just runs around with it on. They haven't ever actually "walked" her with the leash. I'm always afraid she's going to get caught on something and get hurt.
We had this ideal image in our heads when we moved here thinking that this was the perfect little neighborhood with the perfect houses and perfect neighbors. It's been a rude awakening. We had better neighbors when we lived on the "bad" side of town.
Maybe you could just keep the dog at your house and call them over, making them come over and get her?
You'd be surprised at how "quick" people will learn their lesson and you might only have to do it 2 or 3 times.
Your Christmas decorations are worth it! LOL 
Maybe you could ask them to pay for the things that the dog damaged? That would make me uncomfortable but so would calling the Humane Society.
Is there a neighborhood association they can be reported too?
But I would try Ginny's and Heidi's ideas before I went that route. I too would think they would get tired of you either showing up with there dog or calling to request they come and pick there pay up and demanding payment for items that she has ruined. Good Luck and I hope things work out before the holiday season gets under way.
I had this type of problem with someone once (although it wasn't digging up my yard) I almost hit her (Gina) coming home from work one day. Found out who's dog she was and returned her. 20 minutes later she was right back out on the street so I put her in my car and drove her to the no kill shelter and they had to pay a fine to get her back. She no longer runs around on the street and I've seen them walking her on a leash.
It might be a bit extreme since they're your neighbours but it's worth a thought if nothing else works and well if they decide at some point not to pick her up and you have a no kill shelter then she'll probably be adopted by someone who is more responsible. I know the shelter here is very involved with the people they adopt dogs too.
|
Members
