Don,

For starters, stop worrying about what the neighbors do or don't do. The issue for you is your dog. You can control him. A trained dog is much easier to deal with. You have to exercise good judgment with him. Part of owning this type of dog is keeping him out of trouble.

In addition to training the dog you are training yourself. You need to learn what he is going to react to. You need to have as second nature the proper commands, and be able to anticipate what the dog is going to do and direct that behavior. With my dog I can put him on an out of sight down for 30 minutes in the front yard with the kids and cats and anything else you want to name and he will stay put. I know what he is going to react to with different people and can out him BEFORE he starts to go after him. You need to be aware of your surrondings at all times and be in true control over your dog. If you don't have this type of control and knowledge of your dogs behavior, then keep him on a leash or long line so that if you screw up you still have control if you freeze on a command. This is the only way to keep you and the dog out of trouble.

Don,

I take mine out on a leash, they sit in front of the door while I open it and load indiviually on command, by their name. I guide the leash in on their way into the car or van. Same thing comming out. They wait until they are commanded to get out and come out one at a time. It isn't a question of them being out of control, or dangerous. It is polite to my neighbors.

Richard

Thanks for the advice, I don't have that kind of control. But I'm working on it, my dogs will only do a 5-10 minute unsupervised down.

They don't rush the house door when its time to go. They wait until I've opened the cargo door and call for them. I don't have that control but I'm working on it. Its not hard to be responcible, being ignorant of how to keep my pup safe, is the issue.

Thanks I've seen the light.

Don, I'm glad to see you understand what we're talking about <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I do the same thing with my dogs as Richard, as far as loading and unloading them from the car. I don't always use leashes because I know I will have control of them since car rides are their absolute favorite thing. But I do always have to first make sure that the neighbors dogs aren't out when I do this. We have major problems with our neighbor's dogs terrorizing our own, which is another topic in itself. They are untrained and uncontrollable. I can't count the number of times they have charged our front door and punched their heads through our screened security door! (Our local Ace Hardware loves us...) And that's with 4 GSD's charging back at them!! These dogs are psychotic and we can't seem to get our neighbor or her kids to control them. They have actually even run through our next door neighbor's house. But that doesn't mean we return the same behavior of our dogs to her. We're not on good terms with her right now but we at least make every effort to keep our dogs on their best behavior with all of our neighbors. In fact, the rest of our cul-de-sac neighbors love us because since we live on the corner, our dogs are the first line of defense for any suspicious activity. That's another benefit of good training and control. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Best wishes to you!

Seems like you all are on the same page here, but I want everyone to get a clear message. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER let your dog loose! It is a bad F#&!ing idea. Even if you have the #1 obedienced controlable dog in the world, there will always be a "what if" situation waiting out there. Don't take the chance, it is stupid. I'm not slammin' ya Sifu Don, I'm real glad that you are seeing the light. What if your neighbor had a much more strict anti-loose dog policy, like myself? What if he pepper sprayed your poochie, or worse? What if he got to aggressive and Fido let him have it in the B&H? What if. . .


By the way, merry xmas everybody, happy new year, happy Ramadan - whatever. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I agree. Just because your neighbors are irresponsible with their dogs, doesn't mean you need to be! If your neighbors decided to jump off a cliff........?
Anyway, I think you get the picture. Welcome to the board. You've survived your first browbeating! Congratulations! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

airowens

Don, I'm glad to see you understand what we're talking about I do the same thing with my dogs as Richard, as far as loading and unloading them from the car. I don't always use leashes because I know I will have control of them since car rides are their absolute favorite thing. But I do always have to first make sure that the neighbors dogs aren't out when I do this. We have major problems with our neighbor's dogs terrorizing our own, which is another topic in itself. They are untrained and uncontrollable. I can't count the number of times they have charged our front door and punched their heads through our screened security door! (Our local Ace Hardware loves us...) And that's with 4 GSD's charging back at them!! These dogs are psychotic and we can't seem to get our neighbor or her kids to control them. They have actually even run through our next door neighbor's house. But that doesn't mean we return the same behavior of our dogs to her. We're not on good terms with her right now but we at least make every effort to keep our dogs on their best behavior with all of our neighbors. In fact, the rest of our cul-de-sac neighbors love us because since we live on the corner, our dogs are the first line of defense for any suspicious activity. That's another benefit of good training and control.
Best wishes to you!

Thanks again for this eye opening experince,
I was trully under the influence that my dog was safe because I have a level of control. But knowing that the dog, could be harmed or worst then that taken and destroyed, because I made a mistake or a neighbor challenge him.

I realized that all that hard work would be gone down the drain. And my dog would be in jepordy to boot. I appreciate you reaching out. I just didn't understand, what was at stake. I do understand that the neighborhood should be cared for and be respected.

Thanks for your paitence.

VanCamp

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER let your dog loose! It is a bad F#&!ing idea. Even if you have the #1 obedienced controlable dog in the world.

What if he pepper sprayed your poochie, or worse? What if he got to aggressive and Fido let him have it in the B&H?

By the way, merry xmas everybody, happy new year, happy Ramadan - whatever.
============================================
I got ya, man are we animated. I understand that its not a good idea, test ones belife at the risk of neighbors having a hissing, fit. Even if I have to put up with their dogs in my face barking. Some people are dog people and others are people treat their dogs like human, they talk to their dogs, because they don't have friends or kids.

And to hell with Ramdan, one of thoughs phycos tried to blow another plane, this close to Xmas. Opps, there I go again expecting people to respect me, just because I respect them. I beg your pardon if any of this was offensive.

By the way what is the recourse if a jerk sprays your dog, in the owners yard? Can I break him?

Merry Christmas

JParker

Yeah, I got it thanks for your help. I get it, I guess I'm a little selfish only when I could loss something (my dogs) did I see what you guys were saying.

Don,

A bite trained dog can be considered a weapon. If your dog is in your yard w/o a leash and a neighbor felt endangered by the dog, they would be well within their rights to pepper spray the dog. If the dog is in your yard, on leash and you have control over the dog then no they can't spray the dog. Most cities have leash laws, or containment laws (dog has to be behind a fence, leashed,ect...) as a result of this if your dog is in the front unleashed you are in violation of the law. People have a right to protect themselves from a "loose and dangerous" dog.