My dog HATES my neighbor, help!? (shepherd, golden retriever, poop, barking)
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Hello everyone! I really need some help with this situation of mine and any help would be appreciated!
Before I get into the main issue there's some background to it...the first week I moved into this house, I had a Golden Retriever at the time, probably 5 years old? Anyways, he accidentally got through the gate and walked into my neighbor's backyard. Now mind you, they ALSO have a dog of their own. Well my dog literally sniffed around their yard and left, and came back to us. Right after this happened my neighbor came over and told us that if our dog ever goes into their yard again he's going to hit him over the head with a baseball bat...pretty much threatening to kill my dog. Granted I know I was at fault for having my dog slip through the gate, but threatening to kill my dog when he did no aggressive behavior towards them at all is uncalled for. We have a police report filed on this. We've had problems with these neighbors ever since.
Unfortunately my dog had passed, and I now own a new dog, a german shepherd mix. She's very well trained but is always a little anxious around people she doesn't know (although she has met many many people). However, I can't seem to stop her from absolutely HATING my neighbor. He's outside like 90% of the time because he's a smoker. The minute my dog see's him she has an extremely mean bark, that I never hear her do it toward anyone else BUT him. I have no doubts that he has provoked her at one point. She also won't listen to me when he's outside and she's constantly barking.
I have a feeling my dog hates him because she knows he's a bad person. Quite frankly he's an *******. He never has anything nice to say...he litters his cigarette butts in our yard which also causes a concern for my dog incase my dog ever ate one. I really have no clue what to do. Building a wood fence isn't an option because we don't have the money for that... and I know he's not willing to try and meet my dog... any help? I'm really stuck here...
Not much you can do when a dog knows the true colors of a person.
The only way the dogs behavior will change is if the person hates changes what is in their heart and soul.
You pretty much nailed it that your dog knows what kind of person your neighbor is.
At best, you could sit with your dog when she is 'disturbed' give her love and tell her 'shsh' but let her know that she's a good dog for being annoyed with those kinds of people.
Let her grumble, but not excessively bark.
Your dog is probably picking up on your feelings about this neighbor and therefore is barking a snarling at him. As far as the cigs are concerned I'd be calling the police and document all the crap he's throwing in your yard.
If you just want her to be a little quieter in the yard, maybe give her something to keep her occupied like a bully stick, a Buster Cube filled with little treats, a Kong stuffed with peanut butter (let it sit in the freezer overnight to make it longer lasting), or chicken broth ice cubes.
Creating as much of a visual barrier as possible might be helpful too. She'll still hear and smell him, but if she can't see him it could cut down on her (vocal) reaction. Depends on which sense she naturally favors.
When she barks at the man you might even try telling her "thanks girl, I know." It's not your words that matter, but the intention you're conveying. When dogs bark that way, it can be partially directed at the stimulus but also largely directed at the owner as an alert. By letting her know you got the message and acknowledging the threat, you can sometimes settle her a bit.
If she'll choose food over barking, that's great. At least you have that "tool" at your disposal. Use stinky, irresistible treats to distract her while the bad man is outside. As an added bonus, forming the association between the man and food rewards can change her reaction to him over time. If every time he comes out, she gets 4 treats, what will start to happen is when he comes out she'll come to you for her treats instead of focusing on him.
I would never trust this man however. I am not going to get all dramatic in this post, but be very vigilant and cautious. Don't let your dog out in the yard unsupervised, don't let her eat anything that may have been thrown over the fence by the neighbor, and by all means secure your yard in such a way that it would be impossible for her to get out on her own and wander over to the neighbor's.
Putting up a wood fence may not help, my dogs bark through the wood fence if they feel like something is worth barking at. They also put an eye to the space between the boards and look through.
Sometimes dogs have an instinct about whether someone is a bad person or a good person...it sounds like your girl knows what kind of person your neighbor is.
Hello everyone! I really need some help with this situation of mine and any help would be appreciated!
Before I get into the main issue there's some background to it...the first week I moved into this house, I had a Golden Retriever at the time, probably 5 years old? Anyways, he accidentally got through the gate and walked into my neighbor's backyard. Now mind you, they ALSO have a dog of their own. Well my dog literally sniffed around their yard and left, and came back to us. Right after this happened my neighbor came over and told us that if our dog ever goes into their yard again he's going to hit him over the head with a baseball bat...pretty much threatening to kill my dog. Granted I know I was at fault for having my dog slip through the gate, but threatening to kill my dog when he did no aggressive behavior towards them at all is uncalled for. We have a police report filed on this. We've had problems with these neighbors ever since.
Unfortunately my dog had passed, and I now own a new dog, a german shepherd mix. She's very well trained but is always a little anxious around people she doesn't know (although she has met many many people). However, I can't seem to stop her from absolutely HATING my neighbor. He's outside like 90% of the time because he's a smoker. The minute my dog see's him she has an extremely mean bark, that I never hear her do it toward anyone else BUT him. I have no doubts that he has provoked her at one point. She also won't listen to me when he's outside and she's constantly barking.
I have a feeling my dog hates him because she knows he's a bad person. Quite frankly he's an *******. He never has anything nice to say...he litters his cigarette butts in our yard which also causes a concern for my dog incase my dog ever ate one. I really have no clue what to do. Building a wood fence isn't an option because we don't have the money for that... and I know he's not willing to try and meet my dog... any help? I'm really stuck here...
You should get it on camera when he throws a cig bud and call the police, if that is too much trouble, throw your dog's poop in his yard.
I wouldn't do anything to upset the neighbor, because he might react by harming the dog. Of course he shouldn't get away with tossing his cigarette butts over the fence, but it's best to avoid reminding this type of person of one's existence when possible. I'd also not leave my dog outside unattended while the neighbor is at home.
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