can my neighbor get me into trouble over my dog?

Question

I adopted an abuse dog and I am trying my best to be nice to him but he is scared of certain objects like brooms and flyswatters. I train him out in my yard because if he gets scared he will pee and I do not want him to pee in the house. I hold the broom and throw treats to the dog. He used to run away but now he will sit and watch me. If I make any sudden moves he will run. I accidentally dropped the broom and he screamed and ran. My neighbor saw and accused me of beating him with the broom. I told her to get off my property which she did but she said she would call the police on me if she ever saw me do that again. Well, now I am scared because I know my dog is still not trained.

Will I be arrested or what? Should I give my dog back to the pound and get one that is not scared of anything?
I really want a dog but not one that will get me in trouble with the law. Sorry if I sound mean, but I do not want a police record. Also this is my frist dog.

Answer 1

You are using a very loving manner to train your dog, in fact the same manner psychologists use with people to try to heal post-traumatic stress. You are a good owner.

The lady next door has no evidence. She didn't see you hit the dog. She can call the police as often as she likes, but you'll win every time in court.

TX Mom

Answer 2

Try to talk to her & explain what the situation is & ask her if she has any advice. That should cut her short. & by asking for her advice will make her take a step backwards.

One point of advice, do not throw the broom. Leave brooms laying on the floor, standing up against the wall, by the back door. Do not pick up a broom in front of him, do not handle a broom around him. Let him get used to the idea that there are brooms every where & none of them will do him any harm. After he gets used to the brooms everywhere, move them around so they are not always in the same spot.

Say, if you were afraid of snakes & someone just picked up one & threw it along with some tidbits of goodies, would you go near the snake to pick them up. I don't think so.

The same would be true about sticks. Let him learn by avoidance.

It's like a wolf out in the wild & an air plane flies over head. If it is a new sound he will run, but soon he will learn that nothing bad happens when he hears the sound so he habituates the sound. He looses his reaction to the air plane noise.

Good luck, working with abused dogs can be very frustration cause you don't know what actually happened to him.

Email me if you would like to do so. I can help.

Answer 3

Congratulations for taking the time to make a loving home for one of these precious dogs. The ones that have been abused are by far the most difficult to gain the confidence of.

I am going to suggest that you wait to try and get him past this fear. Let him be completely comfortable with you first. Maybe you can lock him in a room with his own special bed and toys while you sweep. Or perhaps he can go in the back yard - if you have a fence. Let him out or in (which ever the case may be) immediately and give him lots of praise.

Once he knows he can trust you totaly the fear wetting will subside. While treats are nice there is nothing that can replace a gentle toouch and soothing words.

If you will gently hold his head and look him in the eye you will begin a healing process. He will most likely avert his eyes. Do this frequently and pet him and reassure him at the same time. It may take a while, but when he can look you in the eye you will know he has complete trust and confidence in you. You will also know you have bonded with this poorbabiedog and he will be one good dog. Patience is the biggest thing he needs. Can you give him the chance?

Don't worry about the neighbor. So long as you are not abusing him, she can hollar all she wants, but it will be of no effect.

I know you are the person he needs. :)

Answer 4

I have to agree with Marissa, I couldn't have said it better myself...

"Are you familiar with the behavior of dogs and how to correct it? Because if not you shouldnt be trying to "fix" this dog. ?You may find that you are doing more damage than good. Technically she can call the cops all she wants, I dont think you will be arrested especially if the shelter you adopted him from knew he was fearful when you adopted him.. Right now, please just love him...that is what he wants..no brooms, no flyswatters. Just love him and praise praise praise. When he trusts you...then you can introduce what he is afraid of...but as far as he knows..you are just another person that will abuse him."


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Depending on where you are, you might be able to look up a local rescue group that could give you some pointers on continuing to train him and also on local laws.

Also, if you can afford it, look into getting obedience lessons with an APDT Certified trainer. Positive training only please :) They can help.

visit http://www.apdt.com

This way if your neighbor complains, you can say that you are working with a trainer and the trainer will know your dog and be able to help you with any of these situations.

Good Luck, and don't give up.

Kudos on adopting a shelter dog.

No shelter dog is perfect and without problems...No purebred is either. You are doing the right thing keeping him and giving him a chance.

Answer 5

Well, she can call them, but all you'd have to do is show the authorities what's wrong and it wouldn't amount to anything. I suggest next time just telling the neighbor what's happening.

But heavens no... don't give your dog back just because of your neighbor. You love your dog, and you're trying to show him that not everyone will be mean to him. I appluad you for that. Don't give in to your stupid neighbor. Just talk to her. sounds like she just didn't understand and you didnt explain, and jsut telling her to get off your property probably only made you seem more guilty. Apologize and explain to her what's happening. Shoot, she may be able to help you once she knows what you're doing.

You won't get arrested. The worst thing that would happen is someone would come to check it out.

EDIT:

Yup. I have to 2nd the person above me. EXCELLENT advice.

Answer 6

You have certainly taken on a challenge for a first dog ! If you think your neighbor is nice and just misunderstood your desensitization training technique print out your email, request that she read it to clear up the "misunderstanding" and since she is clearly a dog lover you might try and solicit her ideas for helping your dog overcome his abuse related fears. Once she is "on your side" you will have a better neighbor relationship. There are many good training manuals that specifically address abuse reactions, in addition you might try enrolling in a class together. There is good professional help you may want to consider. If you honestly feel you are not up to this challenge you should try to find him a home with someone who feels more capable. But, dogs become more and more anxious when they are abandoned by those they come to rely on. Hopefully you can get some help and make a good home for your pup.

Answer 7

Are you familiar with the behavior of dogs and how to correct it? Because if not you shouldnt be trying to "fix" this dog. ?You may find that you are doing more damage than good. Technically she can call the cops all she wants, I dont think you will be arrested especially if the shelter you adopted him from knew he was fearful when you adopted him.. Right now, please just love him...that is what he wants..no brooms, no flyswatters. Just love him and praise praise praise. When he trusts you...then you can introduce what he is afraid of...but as far as he knows..you are just another person that will abuse him.

Answer 8

No it is none of your neighbors bizness and the police can not arrest you. Just do not hold the broom in your and and put up a no tresspassing sign. Then if your nighbor comes back on you can call the police.

Answer 9

Even if the lady does call the cops I doubt they would take your dog away without an investigation. What I would do, go back to the pound and explain your situation and ask them if they will make a note to remember what the situation is so that the police can call and check with them about the dogs status.

Answer 10

Don't get rid of your dog go to training classes with him. About the broom don't hold it let it lay on the ground and walk him as close as you can to it don't drag him, or toss treats close to it eventually he may not see a laying broom as a threat then go to leaning it up against something this will take a while I'm mean possibly months just to get to this point. After you get there then try holding it and sitting down. Let him loose in your house and let him feel free to flee while your sweeping even if your just pretending to sweep, pay no attention to him act like he isn't even around. That is my idea, it worked for a horse for me. lol Get Ceasar Millan books he is excellent. I wish proving animal abuse was that easy doubt they'd even come out right away (animal control) if the police show up, explain to them the situation. You won't get in trouble.

Answer 11

It might be a good idea to take a pro-active approach to things. YOU contact animal control yourself. Explain your situation, if necessary demonstrate what you've been doing...that way if they get a call, they're already aware of the situation. I did that once when I rescued a starving horse. I went up there and told them..."If you get calls saying I've got a skinny horse....they're right. I do have a skinny horse. Here's the deal...here's what we're doing...wanna come see him?" It's hard to think someone is hiding something when they openly invite people to come check before there's an issue.