What should I do?

Question

We have an invisible fence, and I let my GSD out on her own several times during the day, so she can play and go potty..The problem? My neighbor has a bunch of little kids (who are good kids) but always bother her...They stand on the line and call her..This drives her crazy..They also ride their bikes and stop right in front of house and taunt her..I have talked to the kids nicely and asked them to not bother her, but they just are intriqued with her and continue...She listens to me at all times and comes when I call her, except when those kids are around...She barks and growls and runs like crazy, never taking her eyes off of them.I have tried to introduce her to them, on our property line (on a leash) but when she barks they scream and yell and run around, and it makes her more crazy..Anyway I like my neighbor and they are good neighbor's but i dont want to make him mad if i ask him to tell the kids not to bother her...would u be mad if a neighbor asked uto talktothem about it?

We have had the fence for 9 months shes been on it since she was 2 months old..She has never even atempted to cross the line, and when I take her for walks, I put her in my car,take necklace off, and drive and park in the road, so If she hasnt crossed yet, they told me, she probably never will.

Answer 1

If I were the neighbor, no, I would not be made with you if you approached me in a calm way.

However, I think you should also consider working with your dog's behavior. You can train your dog to respond better and that's more under your control than your neighbor's kids.

You need to work with your dog to not growl and bark when kids get close. That's really the issue, unfortunately. In a neighborhood it's to be expected that kids ride around on bikes and want to look at your dog. You never know when a kid could be visiting who doesn't know any better to stay off of your property or not somehow tease the dog.

I'd suggest catching some episodes of the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic channel or renting the DVDs of season 1. There have been episodes dealing with problems similar to yours. It's well worth renting.

There isn't an easy, overnight fix to this but again, I think you should spend the time working with your dog as opposed to expecting the kids to change.

Answer 2

I understand your situation. If talking to the parents doesn't do any good and if the parents have avoided raising their kids with animals in order to teach them care and respect for life, there is not a lot you can do due to the urbanization of local laws.

If you are not with an HOA that requires NO visible fencing, I think your best option is to put up a real fence for her. A fence that blocks the view. I know of cases where this could not be an option.

I see too many potential problems with the current situation and the dog owner will most often be the one that pays the highest price (if not the dog itself).

The dog will be considered an attractive nuisance no matter how uncontrolled the kids are. And if there is a problem that evolves, it will be your fault legally.

In my own area, people still keep some livestock but the newer and more urban kids come in and throw stones at the horses and other critters to make them run. I won't go into the damage this causes for the animals and the properties they are on. The parents just think that the kids are 'being kids' -- and the reality is that kids have minds of their own and some will just buck the system. There has been little recourse except for people to just 'get out of Dodge' move somewhere else.

Answer 3

Two problems here: kids taunting the dog and your dog.

Talk with the neighbors to address the taunting. Be nice about it. Do it in a casual conversation. Don't be confrontational. And be careful not to sound insulting and critical. You know, don't say "YOUR kids do this and that..." Say stuff like "When your kids stop in front of the house, sometimes they do this ____ and it causes my dog to ____. Would you be able to talk with them about this behavior"

But it also sounds like your dog is misbehaving as well. The dog should be trained to not growl/bark at passersby. With an invisible fence, the dog feels it but people don't. What would happen if a kid new to the neighborhood wandered into the yard while your dog is out. It could be a bad situation.

Desensitize your dog to kids by inviting some kids over for lunch or cake. Maybe your dog will be less assertive inside the house. Then they can all go out into the yard together and play.

This will help the dog to realize that he doesn't need to misbehave around the kids and the kids will get to know the dog better, and start treating him better.

Answer 4

That is one of the problems with invisable fences. Stupid useless things.

When/if she learns to run through the fence, you are asking for trouble. By that time she may have been teased so much she may get aggressive.

Talk to the neighbors, even with a real fence, the kids should not be allowed to tease your dog. And then throw the fence out and put up a real one, it will avoid problems in the future.

Answer 5

I would not be upset if someone came to me about my dogs ( I don;'t have *real* kids) but you can never tell how people will take anything that even *hints* of the imperfection of them or their loved ones.

As a GSD mom I would definitely talk to the neighbor, in a non-confrontational way, and explain that unfortunately the children's behavior is perceived by the dog as teasing.

She does not understand the kids are trying to be social, only that they are 'baiting' her by being just outside where she can go, and this is teasing to the dog.

Might I suggest, if you know your dog is usually good with children, and since the neighbor kids are obviously fascinated with your dog, (and rightly so!!), invite them for 'play dates' with your dog. Maybe just one at a time for 15 - 30 minutes. Then they get to blow bubbles for her, throw a ball or frisbee, anything you know she likes and is an active game for her, and keeps her running away from the child, so they don't get into the tug-of -war, "gimme, it's mine" mindset.

That would make the kids feel special, your dog can show she's really a good girl, just doesn't like teasing, and maybe give the kids a vested interest in leaving her alone until it's their personal time with her.

You have done everything right to have control over your 'kid ', now the neighbors need to control theirs, and if it's simply a matter of the kids wanting to play with the doggie, this is the perfect opportunity for you to show them appropriate behavior regarding your dog.

Answer 6

I would be more pissed off if my child was bothering a dog and no one said anything to me about it. I think you should go talk to the parents of the kids, and if that doesn't put a stop to then I would put up a privacy fence. Or you could put the collar on the kids and let them come to the property line hehehe j/k.

Answer 7

Why don't you let the kids come onto your property occassionally to play. The dog will love it and the kids will too. Of course this is at your invitation and your supervision. It is almost mean that the dog sees this potential "fun" and can not be a part of it. If you won't do this, at least bring her in when the kids are outside and give her a consulation gift of your attention or a treat or something.

Answer 8

No... if the kids are taunting your dog you need to talk it over with their parents (all of their parents.) If they learn that taunting dogs is ok they are setting themselves up for a chance to be attacked and possibly future abuse of animals.

Think of this... how will you and the children's family feel if they get too close and she bites one of them? Much worse than talking it over, trust me. Even if she is not aggressive, if the children are acting crazy things can happen... She could knock one of them over in excitement and hurt them... Also... what if they start to taunt her in worse ways? They could end up hurting her... and it's is going to make her socialization with children a problem... you don't want her to think of children as bad and annoying things, the longer this goes on the worse it will get for ALL involved... you, your dog, the kids parents and the kids themselves.

Talk to the parents, it is absolutely the correct thing to do in this situation.

Answer 9

The best thing to do is to tell the neighbors about this problem. It is their problem that their kids are annoying your dog. Also, if it continues, try letting your dog out when their not around, like school, etc.

Answer 10

It's your neighbour's responsibility to teach his kids to be good neighbours, too, and that includes respecting other people, their dogs and their property. You are well within your rights to talk to this neighbour so he'll deal with his kids. It's not fair to your dog to let this go on. How long before she turns vicious towards kids?