I'll cut right to the chase--the guy in the unit next to me has two dogs, one of which is mega-aggressive. He barks and lunges every time he sees Roger, and the guy has both of these dogs on a retractable leash which he never seems to retract.

Incident 1: He walks down the staircase with his dogs pulling 10-20 ft ahead of him. Aggressive dog sees another dog on sidewalk (walking leashed w/owner), and charges. Dog fight ensues. I was already outside with Roger and watched the whole thing happen.

Inbetween Incidents 1 and 2, I run into the neighbor without his dogs. I tell him that I don't want to see his dog get in trouble, and that even though I know he's not vicious, accidents happen, like Incident 1. I also suggest that he walk the dogs separately, which he dismisses. I also suggest he might want to use a real leash, since he actually complained to me about how hard it was to control his dog.

Incident 2: Same spot, neighbor comes out of staircase with dogs lunging ahead. I tell him "OK, I'm going around to the side of the building." He walks in my direction! Dog lunges, neighbor seemingly lets go of the leash. Dog charges full-speed at Roger and is deterred when I step in and yell. I look at neighbor and say "Why'd you let him go?" He replies "It slipped out of my hand."

Incident 3: I'm in the stairwell approaching my floor. The door to my hallway opens and his dogs come bursting through ahead of him. I stop in my tracks about 5 feet away and I tell him sternly to back up and go back into his apartment to let me through. He backs up; only to come through again a few seconds later when I am on the landing, about to open the door. A confrontation ensues. He's yelling at me about how his dog isn't aggressive, all while the dog is snarling and snapping to get at Roger. I refuse to move until he passes by (he's telling me to go by him, through the door and directly within striking distance of his dog. He goes down the stairs, yelling up at me about the friendliness of his dog. I yell back that I've seen his dog "saying hello" and it isn't pretty.

What to do from here? This guy is my next-door neighbor and I would like to avoid any further conflict...but he also seems to be totally oblivious of his responsibility in the situation (don't let an aggressive dog go through the door first if you don't know what's on the other side; don't use flimsy retractable leashes; don't let go of leash, etc etc.).

Do I go right to animal control? Or send him a certified letter and CC the rental office? Or put a note on his door requesting a face-to-face, without the dogs around?

I'm just offering an opinion here since I've never had to live closely to anyone with dogs like this.

Maybe talk to the rental office to see if other tenants have had problems with him and his dogs as well? Chances are he has. I would probably be very specific with them and relay the information about the incidents you have listed here and "suggest" to them that if someone or their dog (or god forbid child) is injured by this dog and they knew about the problems they could be liable.

Again...I'm just throwing this out there since I've never lived in rented unit with my dogs.

I'm really sorry about this and it sounds like you've tried to handle this diplomatically and he's blowing you off. I almost think by his reaction (being so defensive) that he has run in to trouble before and knows if he gets reported again it he'll have some really big problems.

If you think he is open to suggestions, I'd approach him in a neutral manner (with no dogs present) and say something like, "hey, I'm really worried that something is going to happen between dogs and I'd like to avoid it. This is what I've done with Roger and it has worked really well to help me stay in control." and offer some suggestions if he seems receptive.

What you want to avoid is telling him he is doing it all wrong, etc. because that will just raise his defenses. But maybe if he's receptive to a few ideas you could offer to help him train, or point him over here. It sounds like he is just really clueless about how to handle his dog. And his dog is probably great with people and his other dog which probably throws him for a loop.

If this doesn't work, then I'd report it to the rental office.

I think I'd notify rental office in any case. They ARE potentially liable for any actions his dog commits because if they allow pets they are legally liable for acts of that pet, your state law may vary on this point, but in OK that's how it is. What if it's a child walking their dog his dog attacks and they try to protect it? Kid mangled when it could have been prevented.

Yeah. It's hard because he's a 'nice' guy otherwise. Just too passive and doesn't get how much control he actually has. I guess I'd say he's probably NOT open to suggestion given that he seems to think that he is powerless to control his dog's behavior and is too old (forgive my saying so) to take a suggestion from some punk under 30.

One thing that's discouraging is his response to the other dogs' owners when these situations are actually happening. He never apologizes or really makes any effort to stop the rush/attack. And everything he does say is said with a kind of passive-aggressive chip on his shoulder.

Dana--he's relatively new. We moved in here on Sep 1 and he moved in after we did. But, I already witnessed his dog attacking and I know that dog's owner.

It's only a matter of time before his dog does something serious. He doesn't seem people-aggressive, but I wonder what would have happened if he rushed my wife instead of me...I could easily see her getting bit in that scenario by trying to run, or by picking Roger up.

Also, I completely agree w/you--his defensiveness suggests that he's had problems before. When he raised his voice, he just kept yelling "He's NOT going to DO anything!" When he moved in he said that the dogs were used to having a big yard, and it seemed like maybe he hadn't moved under the best of circumstances. Maybe he had to leave his last place of residence because of the dog. In any case I think I will approach the rental office informally and let them know what I have seen.

I wish you the best of luck with this, Ross. It's got to be a difficult situation no matter how you look at it. I'd be worried, too, that if something were to happen with your wife and Roger it's probably going to be pretty awful.

Just based on what you've said, I'd bet money on the fact that he's had trouble before.

Let me know how things go.

I would begin documeting dates/times/info because you are probably going to need it.

If one nice, respectful conversation does not go well, I'd head right to the realtor's office with documentation.

It is always great to try and solve these situations face to face with the individual involved, but unfortunately, we don't read too many stories of this solving the issue. Hopefully, this will be one where we do, but I'd definitely have plan B in place.

I think I would go with setting up a meeting to talk to him, without his dogs. Can you invite him over for coffee? You said he’s a pretty decent guy otherwise.

Coming from a “punk” or not, explaining the 3 scenarios as you have done here and expressing the concern for your wife has to spark some sense of responsibility and/or concern in him.

He’ll probably want to tell his side of the story and you may get a bit of insight as to his apathetic approach. If he was still unwilling to work with you or change his ways, I would let him know what my intentions are – he’s left you no choice but to inform the rental board of the dog’s behaviors and his lack of control.

At least in won’t be perceived as doing it behind his back and it’s not like you didn’t warn him. What kind of dogs are these?

Aaron, I think your recommendations are excellent. Only thing I'll add is that if this guy is not open to changes/help, and his dogs do attack and harm other dogs, not only will those dogs be harmed, but the complex will probably STILL become a "no dog" complex. It is a difficult issue, to be sure.