Twice now we have been charged/attacked by a french bulldog while on our daily neighborhood walk. Once it took the hit and came through the electric fence, and today they had it loose in their garage. The first time I was relatively nice about it and told them it better NOT happen again. I'm not quite sure what we should do-now that it HAS happened again.

They proposed to use our dog (who is very well socialized) to socialize their dog...HA, I don't think so!

Would you call animal control to report it? Should we request they install a physical fence? Should I report it to our HOA?

They live four houses down the street, so we pass by often.

I'd talk to them again, with a call first to ask if we could talk in person, and then nicely explain that "someone" will eventually report them to HOA or AC.

I'm heavily on the side of "nice" with neighbors because I couldn't bear to live with a neighbor-war .... or even worse, with animosity toward my dog just because they are pissed at me.

Maybe included in the chat could be my disinclination to have my dog exposed to attack (or even excited charging) for "socializing," and a brief explanation of my view of socialized, which means to me to be tolerant of the presence of other dogs and not overexcited or reactive.

Bring brownies or cookies! I really believe that most dog owners are just ignorant ... not evil. If I can explain and be friendly, I can nip any animosity in the bud.

Then I'd always carry a phone with a camera that has a date-stamp. A log and pictures can do a whole lot if you do have to formally complain. (Date stamps apps are often free, I believe -- mine was -- and can be turned off and on.)

JMO!

yup , what connie said . . . better to educate .

i had to have a similar conversation not long ago . i had to explain that her dog beating the shit out of my dog was not " socializing " . the idea that her dog needed to be on lead 100% of the time was completely new to her , and because her dog had demonstrated his willingness to go after other ( leashed ) dogs meant that she was going to have to start anticipating his actions and do what ever was necessary to prevent it .

but she took the advice well because i delivered the message nicely .

but be absolutely clear that you will not tolerate that dogs' behaviour again .

In a bulldog, the eyes forward facial appearance, breathing, overall "stiffness" and a tail that can't be read provoke conflict.
I'd tell the neighbor how absolutely adorable Frenchie is, and mention how very worried I am that this adorable dog is going to bite off way more than he can chew. Not everyone has their big dogs under control the way that you have.
Little bulldogs are territorial, and they like to fight, or pretend fight at least. If some pit bull comes by he's going to be toast!

I am having a similar quandary with some new neighbours, this perfectly nice chap spoke to Sam when she was going out the other day to ask her what type of mastiff ours were, because he said he had Presas, and it was nice to have other mastiff owners nearby.

He likes to have his dogs wander about with him when he is outside, and I know it is only a matter of time before his ‘friendly’ dogs cause a problem with, if not ours, the many dogs that walk past his house every day.

I was coming back with my 4 and Jamie and his 2 this morning, and as soon as I realised he was outside with his door open, I said to Jamie to be aware and not to engage in chit chat with him, and we quickened our pace!

It may sound a bit rude to ignore him, but I would rather he thought I was unsociable, than risk a punch up between our packs.

Is it possible you can just either avoid eye contact with your neighbour, or maybe just smile or nod without stopping to chat??

The problem is, we all have acre lots and they have chosen to employ an invisible fence. The dog charges us daily from the far side of the yard but usually stops at the perimeter. The first time it happened he just kept on coming and took me off guard. Today, he flew out to their open garage while we were on the sidewalk. Our usually non-reactive GSD did let out a low growl from behind me while I kicked at it. The owners chased us down and apologized profusely (again). That's when they proposed we "help" socialize their dog.
I will be nice, however, we need to feel safe on our walks. What do you all think about pepper spray?

Your dog has already been targeted by this dog. Even IF your dog could be used for socializing other dogs this combo would be off to a very bad start. That's saying your capable of doing it.
Suggest they go to OB classes and explain that as much as you don't want to you WILL use pepper spray if needed.

I have a neighbor back home that had a pushy Dobie who would often charge my dogs across the property line (no fence).

I spoke kindly with him about working with his dog on OB and manners and he gladly accepted my help.

I muzzled trained him, worked him for about a week in OB, with both of us handling him, and then introduced him to my dogs in the no man's land between our yards. All the dogs were muzzled and I was handling the Dobie. The wife had our dogs on long lines, back tied to the truck in case they needed separated. It worked out fine. We worked for the next few weeks on the Dobie meeting all strange things in a calm manner.

I have 2 really confident, social dogs, and I wasn't worried about the Dobie making a negative impact on them.


I have found that people are fairly receptive when you state some credentials and then offer to help them out.

Be careful you don't spray your own dog or yourself!!! Especially in the wind.

I agree with everyone who said to try the soft approach first, stressing your concern for their dog and outlining all the bad things that could happen if this dog is allowed to charge other dogs, particularly ones less well socialized as yours. I also, though, would not be afraid to be firm in not allowing your dog to be used to socialize theirs. It's ultimately their responsibility to train their own dog and, if necessary, seek out the necessary resources to do so or at least manage their dog until they can.

If you do go the defensive route down the road, I'd recommend either a big stick or bear spray, which is a liquid and, to me, a little easier to handle than some pepper sprays. I carry it on walks or hikes because we actually have bears, but I would use it on a strange dog if it got to that point. I don't want to hurt another dog, but I do feel like it's my responsibility to protect mine.

Good luck! Hopefully these owners will take to some neighborly advice and concern for their pet and work more on containing and training their dog and there won't be a need for anything more.