April 12, 2011
My neighbor has a protection trained dog that I am worried will kill our dog. What should I do?
Full Question:
I have a neighbor that has an attack trained GS. The dog only responds to German commands. Two years ago the dog attacked a neighbor?s dog and almost killed it. Since then the owners have put up a fence. When this dog is out in the yard it growls and barks at all people and other dogs. My dog will run over to the fence wanting to play and the GS will urinate on him. I have planted bushes on that side of the fence to keep children in my yard from approaching the fence. The neighbor has bad dog signs hung on the fence. My question is this: I walk my dog every evening. On several occasions I have seen the neighbor out in the front yard with the dog on a leash not holding on to it. Her dog will approach my dog and start to circle him. I now go across the street to avoid this behavior. I am afraid that one time her dog will attack mine and kill him. Since I am not on speaking terms with this person I am not sure how to make them understand the potential of their dog and how dangerous he is. The owner is under the impression that a guard dog is necessary for their protection. We live in suburbia, in a low crime area. We have also had several children in our city killed lately from dangerous dogs. How can I protect myself and my dog?Gail
Ed's Answer:
It sounds to me like this is not as big of a problem as you have made it out to be. The neighbor has his dog confined and he has put up signs warning people of the dog. This is not something I would do but then this is his decision.
Yes, it would be better if he did not let the dog run in the yard when he is out there - but if the dog were going to attack your dog he would have already done so. You walking in the other direction is a good idea. The dog has already indicated what he thinks of your dog by pissing on him, he does not need to kill him to show that he is dominant over your dog. That's why he has not attacked your dog when he was loose.
The risk of dog attacks on humans is worse with untrained dogs than trained dogs. So the fact that this dog is allegedly trained is not an issue for an increased danger to you or your kids.
I understand your concern but you happen to be worrying too much and the neighbor is within his rights to have a trained dog. In fact he has as much right to having this dog as you do to having your dog.
Yes, it would be better if he did not let the dog run in the yard when he is out there - but if the dog were going to attack your dog he would have already done so. You walking in the other direction is a good idea. The dog has already indicated what he thinks of your dog by pissing on him, he does not need to kill him to show that he is dominant over your dog. That's why he has not attacked your dog when he was loose.
The risk of dog attacks on humans is worse with untrained dogs than trained dogs. So the fact that this dog is allegedly trained is not an issue for an increased danger to you or your kids.
I understand your concern but you happen to be worrying too much and the neighbor is within his rights to have a trained dog. In fact he has as much right to having this dog as you do to having your dog.
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