Our new next door neighbors have a 3.5 y/o male bit bull terrier. They just moved in to my duplex (i own half and they own half) the back yards are separated by a 6ft fence. and our front doors are 10 feet apart.

I have a 5 y/o son and a 14 wk old GSD puppy. The puppy uses the back yard and front yard to relieve him self on a leash. My son and i some times play ball in the front yard.

It seems inevitable that these dogs will meet at some point. I don't take my dog out without a leash but today when i came home with my dog in my car, the neighbors dog was outside off leash with them in their yard. I met the dog and it didnt seem aggressive or submissive. the owner put his dog in a sit and it seemed to listen but i brought my dog in the house without their dog seeing it.

Would like some advice on how to proceed with this. I have a concealed carry permit and carry occasionally, although usually not around the yard.

My first concern is my son. Should he meet the dog? Pet the dog? what if the dog runs out and up to him? the dog looks to be about 110 pounds and my son is about 50 pounds.

What about the pup? i don't see how at some point they wont meet. My dog is a male and is a bit nervous when he sees other dogs. He has met a few of my friends dogs who i know very well and has been fine with them once he got to sniff them. Other dogs he has seen at a distance he has been a bit nervous of and has barked and low quite barked at (not really a growl or a bark). My wife and i have started taking our pup for short walks to see the immediate neighborhood and build a bit of confidence.

Thanks in advance.

My opinions:

I see no reason to be afraid of the dog just because of his breed. Especially since the neighbor has already shown he has some level of control over the dog. (He did sit nicely when asked, in front of a total stranger--you.)

I would approach the new neighbors and their dog in just the same way you would if the new dog were a poodle or a beagle you don't know.

Small children and puppies should not have unsupervised interaction with any dogs, regardless of their breed.

Everyone in your family, including the puppy should meet the new neighbor dog in a controlled neutral area. If your puppy is nervous, don't coddle him. He needs more interactions with the world, not less.

My guess is everyone will become good friends.

 Quote: sean thorp

... It seems inevitable that these dogs will meet at some point. I don't take my dog out without a leash but today when i came home with my dog in my car, the neighbors dog was outside off leash with them in their yard. ...? what if the dog runs out and up to him? the dog looks to be about 110 pounds and my son is about 50 pounds. ....

Both dogs have fenced-in yards? No one has a dog off-leash in open areas, right?

How could either dog "run up to" the child?

Or are you saying that the dog (either one, in fact) is off-leash and uncontained?

 Quote: tracy collins

If your puppy is nervous, don't coddle him. He needs more interactions with the world, not less.

Just clarifying: unforced. I'd probably make it gradual, too, but I'm not a puppy expert.

I am a fearful-dog expert, and maybe "shy pup" is similar. I make first interactions upbeat and no closer or longer than the dog is comfortable with.

Yes other dog is off leash. Mine is not. They have a garage as do we, but there dog has been in an open garage and is able to walk out into both of our front yards. If i have my dog on a leash and their dog approaches i would probably have no time to react other than to let it happen or get immediately defensive.

Wait a second.

The dog is basically uncontained?

Do your neighbors not understand leash laws/containment?

This has nothing to do with breed.

Under normal circumstances, there would be no worry on your part about unleashed dogs interacting with your child or your puppy (or you) in your yard without your pre-arranged agreement.

I'd probably go about this very nicely, looking up my local leash laws first, bringing it up to the neighbors with friendliness, etc., mentioning that breed is irrelevant, etc.

They can't have their dog running loose on your property. (You can't have yours running loose on their property either, but you mentioned that your dog is on-leash in your part of the front yard.)

In fact, I'd probably bring it up that way ... as in, "Did you know that neither of us can ...."

yes I will do that then. just came home and the dog was still outside. I talked to them for a few mins and in that time the dog went around marking in my yard and neighbors yard. While I dont have an issue with dog pee I cant imagine that when my dog is 2 years old this will fly well.

As I said more importantly is my son, who like most 5 year olds, wiggles, squeals, and jumps around outside.

Can you fence your front yard, since it appears that they think that it is ok for their dog to run all around their, your & the neighbors yard peeing while they stand there & watch? It might end up being your best option in the long run, since you can't control what they do with their dog unless you want to get the law involved & then you'll have more issues with them, I would suspect.

I have having a problem with my next door neighbors cat always being in MY yard...front , back day, night etc. My side & back yard has a 6' fence. All of the neighborhood cats have learned to stay out except theirs. I have spoken to them a number of times about this. Their cat even broke my fence trying to get away from my dogs & still comes in the yard. (she says that the cat isn't afraid of dogs since she lives with one) I know it was him, because I found his collar (his name on it & her tel #)on the inside of the fence with the fence piece broken going out. I returned the collar to her. Be glad that their are at least leash laws for dogs! This is one STUPID cat with 2 high prey dogs that want to kill it. It has run out from the hedge next to my front steps when I have walked out the door with both my dogs & I have had my shoulded pulled while I was truned to lock the door & the cat bolts out. Neither me or the dogs knew the cat was there until it bolted. But at least I don't have a child to be worried about in regard to the neighbors lack of concern. I hope that you can make some headway with them.