Good day guys.
I was walking one of my pack members this afternoon and as always we encountered the same cattle dog who would relentlessly bark at us tried to jump the fence. I saw a third of its body almost go through the gap on top of the timber. The backyard was uneven and still being renovated so it could stand on the pile of dirt and hurl itself to the timber fence trying to get to us.
This dog has definitely made the single footpath to the beautiful park and lake its territory. I have been putting up with this excessive barking behaviour for months now. Anyway, the dog is territorial aggressive and I would say fearful. It stood on a pile of dirt looking down at me and my dog and when I stood there and looked at it, it went into a nervous barking frenzy but seem to want to retreat. Typical fear aggression. You see I owned an Australian Cattle Dog years ago and I know they have a tendency to be fear aggressive. This behaviour is not foreign to me. By the way I live in Australia.
Anyway, my pack member ignored everything but then the owner of the property came out and shouted at me: "What's your problem mate?". And I said, "Nothing, I'm just standing here in a public park.". The guy said: "Why are you stirring up my dog?". When I heard that it took me 2 seconds to calm myself. "Your dog has been barking at me everyday for the past 4 months. I've seen him bark at kids and every passerby he fancies. Aren't you going to tell him off?". Then this idiot said: "Well, he's protecting my property." By then I said: "Mate, you're an idiot." and left.
I know you guys have been discussing protection and guarding training for dogs and I don't think this person realizes that it takes training for a dog to be a protection/guard dog. This is a very dangerous animal if it manages to get out which I think it could. The only question is when.
I'm planning to take this issue to our local council and advice them to give the owner a big slap at the back of the head if he doesn't lift his game up. Any advice on how to approach this matter guys?