Aggressive dogs; problems and solutions
Discussion
My new neighbour has three dogs, two large ones (GSD and rotty) which have been the subject of complaints in the village where he previously lived for attacking local dogs and killing sheep. He stopped formal police complaints of dangerous dogs by throwing money at the owners/farmer. He keeps them outside in kennels but they have the run of his land and start barking at sunrise.
Every time we go out they charge down the drive to the 4 foot iron railings barking and growling. The gates are left open for parts of the day when they are at home and the dogs haven't ventured out yet but they have only been here since Friday. People here with kids and old/small dogs are s
tting themselves that it will take another 'incident' with these dogs leaving the premises or getting through our fences to our dogs/kids before he will do anything and that we may have injured kids or dead dogs by then.
I had heard the stories about these dogs months ago and have added a second fence and gate to my garden to create an 'air-lock' of gates so that my dogs could not get out by accident, and in the hope that it would prevent the new dogs getting in. I even priced up electric fencing but a dog handler friend tells me that a large motivated dog wont be stopped by a 4 or even a 6 foot fence with or without an electric fence on top. and that wont help when we walk our dogs.
The neighbours in the old village got no joy when they remonstrated with the owner who has a 'my land,my dogs, feck off' attitude.
Any ideas on angry dog proof perimeter fencing, defence in case of attack or should I just get a shotgun?
Every time we go out they charge down the drive to the 4 foot iron railings barking and growling. The gates are left open for parts of the day when they are at home and the dogs haven't ventured out yet but they have only been here since Friday. People here with kids and old/small dogs are s
tting themselves that it will take another 'incident' with these dogs leaving the premises or getting through our fences to our dogs/kids before he will do anything and that we may have injured kids or dead dogs by then.I had heard the stories about these dogs months ago and have added a second fence and gate to my garden to create an 'air-lock' of gates so that my dogs could not get out by accident, and in the hope that it would prevent the new dogs getting in. I even priced up electric fencing but a dog handler friend tells me that a large motivated dog wont be stopped by a 4 or even a 6 foot fence with or without an electric fence on top. and that wont help when we walk our dogs.
The neighbours in the old village got no joy when they remonstrated with the owner who has a 'my land,my dogs, feck off' attitude.
Any ideas on angry dog proof perimeter fencing, defence in case of attack or should I just get a shotgun?
Before you worry, are any of these stories confirmed? Only as a big dog owner myself you'd be amazed how often these stories circulate and are non sense. Aggression and violence isn't always linked in dogs as I'm sure you know.
They are very hard to keep out (or in my case in) but not impossible, as you say motivation is key. But unless you've a bh in heat not many dogs will so actively seek out others. Dogs don't typically seek out and kill other dogs. Even mad ones.
As for a 12 gauge obviously you're kidding. But just remember three things, firstly the police will not do anything but arrest you for defending your property and animals, secondly whatever cruelty made dogs this way you'll have to face if you did anything, and lastly should these dogs go missing, they will be replaced very quickly.
Personally I'd just invest in a decent fence.
They are very hard to keep out (or in my case in) but not impossible, as you say motivation is key. But unless you've a b
h in heat not many dogs will so actively seek out others. Dogs don't typically seek out and kill other dogs. Even mad ones.As for a 12 gauge obviously you're kidding. But just remember three things, firstly the police will not do anything but arrest you for defending your property and animals, secondly whatever cruelty made dogs this way you'll have to face if you did anything, and lastly should these dogs go missing, they will be replaced very quickly.
Personally I'd just invest in a decent fence.
Prof Prolapse said:
Before you worry, are any of these stories confirmed? Only as a big dog owner myself you'd be amazed how often these stories circulate and are non sense. Aggression and violence isn't always linked in dogs as I'm sure you know.
Absolutely 100% this!When I was a kid, there was a Rottie in the village which everybody was scared of as it had apparently had a go at a number of dogs and people. Not only was the dog bloody huge, it was the late 80's - early 90's so was a confirmed killer so said all the tabloids at the time.
Despite all the fuss made over the dog, looking back, I honestly don't think I ever witnessed any aggressive behaviour as such. One of my mates used to deliver their paper, so can confirm the dog used to bark the house down when the letterbox opened and I can confirm that if I ever rode my bike across the field where it was walked, it would chase me. All very much unwanted behaviour, but common to say the least. Nobody lost a finger and I was never dragged off my bike. Due to the tabloids at the time, and 'common' (but undesirable) dog traits, were seen as aggression.
If a dog gets bored or doesn't have a job to do, it will find other ways to keep itself busy or fulfil a role it thinks it should be doing.
It's no surprise that a Rottie and GSD go all guarding and look after the front gate from 'threats'. Either dog could clear a 4ft gate if they wanted to, so would assume they have no real desire to go and sort the problem out, but I guess there's only one way that this would be proved!
With regards to the noise, I'd take this up with the owner and not Environmental Health. You'd probably get a better response from the owner if a well crafted letter was received from yourself than Environmental Health. If the guy has only just moved in, I'd imagine that this would get his back up and you'd be unlikely to get anything from him. A letter (probably sent through the post rather than risking going to his door
) saying welcome to the neighbourhood blah blah blah, dogs are being a bit noisy, is there anything we can help with to solve the problem?Speaking from experience of having a hyper-alert Dobermann, when I had new neighbours move in, after their first week they put a hand written letter through the door. I obviously saw red and thought who the hell are they to complain, but then realised I was being a dick and they have every right to complain, It was a nice letter, set out the issue, one we didn't realise we had actually (he barked one evening when we went out until the moment we got home) and asked if there was anything they could do to help.
I invited them over, they met the dog (I have two now, so did the same with the new one) and he NEVER barks at them if they're in their garden. They also have keys to our house, so if we're not in, they can either let them out or tell them to shut the hell up. This doesn't really happen at all, but the option is there if it was needed. If I'd got a letter from Environmental Health, I'd be inclined to want to sling dog poo over the fence
From personal experience of being the equivalent of your new neighbour, play nicely, it will get you MUCH better results!
bexVN said:
Start noting the Barking etc and get environmental health involved.
As per my post, categorically DON'T do this. I'll never have an opposing view to Bex when it comes to Vet stuff, but from personal experience, I really wouldn't get EH involved. I'd save it for a later stage if you need it.He moved in Friday and on Monday we're talking about EH, it's just not the right thing to do. You'll get no cooperation from the guy if you don't piss him off. You don't need to pander to him, but by being friendly and proactive will get you a better result by far.
Give the dogs a week or two to settle, and approach the guy if it's still a problem. If he doesn't cooperate or gives you a big fat F-You, then go down the official route.
They've been there 3 days and you haven't even seen the dogs out yet. Seems early to panic.
These stories that have somehow reached you from the other town... Can you rely on them? Unless you have very concrete evidence that they do more than just bark, there's no need to vilify the dogs or owner already. Maybe they bark because everyone acts odd around them after hearing these stories.
If the barking is bothering you, then by all means go and have a friendly chat. Remember they've been there 3 days and probably have more on their minds than barking dogs.
If they don't sort out the barking after you talk to them and it's happening between 11pm and 7am, then by all means report it.
These stories that have somehow reached you from the other town... Can you rely on them? Unless you have very concrete evidence that they do more than just bark, there's no need to vilify the dogs or owner already. Maybe they bark because everyone acts odd around them after hearing these stories.
If the barking is bothering you, then by all means go and have a friendly chat. Remember they've been there 3 days and probably have more on their minds than barking dogs.
If they don't sort out the barking after you talk to them and it's happening between 11pm and 7am, then by all means report it.
Autopilot said:
bexVN said:
Start noting the Barking etc and get environmental health involved.
As per my post, categorically DON'T do this. I'll never have an opposing view to Bex when it comes to Vet stuff, but from personal experience, I really wouldn't get EH involved. I'd save it for a later stage if you need it.He moved in Friday and on Monday we're talking about EH, it's just not the right thing to do. You'll get no cooperation from the guy if you don't piss him off. You don't need to pander to him, but by being friendly and proactive will get you a better result by far.
Give the dogs a week or two to settle, and approach the guy if it's still a problem. If he doesn't cooperate or gives you a big fat F-You, then go down the official route.
By all means a friendly word with the owner and some time would be sensible as you are right 3 days isn't long but I stand by my suggestion of EH especially if no joy after a couple weeks.
Autopilot said:
From personal experience of being the equivalent of your new neighbour, play nicely, it will get you MUCH better results!
Yup, I've only had a big dog for two years now and I realise a lot of it is politics and PR. It's incredible how fearful some people are. Now my Rottie/GSD is more popular than I am with the neighbours, helps they knew him from a puppy though. I still get the odd deranged dog walker however, but that can't be helped.
Prof Prolapse said:
Yup, I've only had a big dog for two years now and I realise a lot of it is politics and PR. It's incredible how fearful some people are.
Now my Rottie/GSD is more popular than I am with the neighbours, helps they knew him from a puppy though. I still get the odd deranged dog walker however, but that can't be helped.
It's remarkable how some people respond. I've had a Border Terrier have a go at my male Dobermann before. Both were off lead and the Terrier ran at my dog and was barking at him. He ignored it and walked away, the Terrier carried on and on, each time with my dog putting space between them and avoiding conflict. The owners of the Terrier were of course laughing at how their dog was 'seeing off' a Dobermann despite me suggesting numerous times that they should control their dog.Now my Rottie/GSD is more popular than I am with the neighbours, helps they knew him from a puppy though. I still get the odd deranged dog walker however, but that can't be helped.
The inevitable happened and the Terrier lunged aggressively at my dog. He retaliated, he didn't bite it, he just knocked it over and made a lot of noise. The owners then had a go at me saying my dog was out of control and didn't understand why my dog would 'attack' unprovoked like that and were going to report me to the dog warden. Even despite saying several times they should control their dog, their dog was 100% the antagonist as my dog ignored it, was under control and didn't respond until he'd finally had enough and only did so with a proper b
king, no teeth or anything, it was STILL our fault apparently.Jasandjules said:
BTW something of a "left field" answer, but why not pop round and see if you can say hello to his dogs, get them used to you etc so when you go past you can call their names etc.. They should then be happy to see you and not aggressive.
As per my post, this is what I did as my dog was barking at my neighbours. After having them over for a while, my dog NEVER barks at them. As and when I get new neighbours, I'll do the same again.Prof Prolapse said:
Before you worry, are any of these stories confirmed? Only as a big dog owner myself you'd be amazed how often these stories circulate and are non sense. Aggression and violence isn't always linked in dogs as I'm sure you know.
They are very hard to keep out (or in my case in) but not impossible, as you say motivation is key. But unless you've a bh in heat not many dogs will so actively seek out others. Dogs don't typically seek out and kill other dogs. Even mad ones.
As for a 12 gauge obviously you're kidding. But just remember three things, firstly the police will not do anything but arrest you for defending your property and animals, secondly whatever cruelty made dogs this way you'll have to face if you did anything, and lastly should these dogs go missing, they will be replaced very quickly.
Personally I'd just invest in a decent fence.
I will find out whether there has been progress as one of the neighbours with kids has spoken with him (twice) about his dogs running free with her kids about. The stories about their previous attacks are true, i spoke with one dog owner whose dog was injured and the whole village knows the sheep story a sthe farm was in the middle of the village.They are very hard to keep out (or in my case in) but not impossible, as you say motivation is key. But unless you've a b
h in heat not many dogs will so actively seek out others. Dogs don't typically seek out and kill other dogs. Even mad ones.As for a 12 gauge obviously you're kidding. But just remember three things, firstly the police will not do anything but arrest you for defending your property and animals, secondly whatever cruelty made dogs this way you'll have to face if you did anything, and lastly should these dogs go missing, they will be replaced very quickly.
Personally I'd just invest in a decent fence.
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