Neighbor puppy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The puppy just wants to say hello! I understand that it is annoying but I promise that it is not a danger.

The best way to handle this if fear of a future attack is your main concern would be to have a few treats ready. Even better is if you say to the dog “stop” and when the dog stops throw a treat. Done. Trained dog.

Agree with this. Let the puppy know you are a friend not a threat. It sounds like you are scared of dogs in general? If you carry on like this your kids will be scared of dogs too. Let them see that you are ok with a dog being next door and don't pass your fears onto them.
I have the friendliest lab and sometimes I walk past people with him leashed and the adult and the kids will shrink away from me with fear on their faces......its so sad.

No! The neighbor should be controlling the dog, full stop.

I love dogs, and have a 60-pound puppy myself. The rest of the world has zero obligation to train him.

[Anonymous]

Wait a minute, the dog runs “towards” you? On a leash? But doesn’t reach you? If the dog is on a leash and just moves towards you but can’t reach you, that seems very reasonable. I think given your fear, it’s very unlikely this is an aggressive dog. This is probably a friendly dog.

If the puppy is running towards you and she stops it with a voice command, please give me her number so I can sign up for lessons.

I really doubt the steps are an issue for the puppy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the dog actually reaching you whether it’s leased or unleashed? Ask the owner to control THEIR dog. If they don’t, call animal control. I don’t like strange (unknown) dogs and don’t want to hear “ They’re friendly.” Your property, your rules.

Yep, this. Op has a right to enjoy her own home and front yard without a dog bothering her. Ask the neighbor to control the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The puppy just wants to say hello! I understand that it is annoying but I promise that it is not a danger.

The best way to handle this if fear of a future attack is your main concern would be to have a few treats ready. Even better is if you say to the dog “stop” and when the dog stops throw a treat. Done. Trained dog.

Agree with this. Let the puppy know you are a friend not a threat. It sounds like you are scared of dogs in general? If you carry on like this your kids will be scared of dogs too. Let them see that you are ok with a dog being next door and don't pass your fears onto them.
I have the friendliest lab and sometimes I walk past people with him leashed and the adult and the kids will shrink away from me with fear on their faces......its so sad.

I shrink away from peoples dogs when I am out walking. It’s not “sad”, it’s because I am highly allergic and could have a medical emergency if your dog touches me. But people like you are careless and will let your dog run up to anyone, so I have to be proactive and make sure I stay physically distanced from dogs and clearly demonstrate to their owners I want nothing to do with them before they let their dog jump on me because “it’s friendly”. Not everyone shares your worldview and wants to touch your dog. Leave people alone and keep your dog to yourself.

[Anonymous]

These responses are ridiculous.
It is NOT OPs job to train the puppy or learn to love the dog.

I am afraid of dogs also. I hike a lot and often encounter off leash dogs (they are supposed to leash.) I freeze, put up my hands, and politely ask the person to leash their dog. I personally HATE when the dog owner shouts “he’s friendly!”. I don’t care. Leash your dog!

It is not your job OP to get over your fear.

OP are you friendly with your neighbor? I would tell her how you feel!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The puppy just wants to say hello! I understand that it is annoying but I promise that it is not a danger.

The best way to handle this if fear of a future attack is your main concern would be to have a few treats ready. Even better is if you say to the dog “stop” and when the dog stops throw a treat. Done. Trained dog.

Agree with this. Let the puppy know you are a friend not a threat. It sounds like you are scared of dogs in general? If you carry on like this your kids will be scared of dogs too. Let them see that you are ok with a dog being next door and don't pass your fears onto them.
I have the friendliest lab and sometimes I walk past people with him leashed and the adult and the kids will shrink away from me with fear on their faces......its so sad.

PP here. Why does this make you sad? I like you and I like your dog, but I am afraid of dogs.

[Anonymous]

Tell your neighbors, politely, to keep the dog off of your property. Tell them you are afraid of dogs.

Also OP. Be careful not to pass your fear on to your kids.

[Anonymous]

This is op. It is a small breed puppy with short legs, so right now I don’t think he can climb up the steps yet or maybe he can ( I don’t know). He always runs towards us leashed or unleashed when we leave the front door, and our front doors are 10 feet away only. My neighbor sometimes like to hang out at their front door. I used to talk to neighbor before covid time & before they have puppy, we stay at home most of the time these days.

I think because I never pat the puppy or let him smell me or he senses my fears, so he does not know that we are harmless. I am fine with a calm big dog on a leash walk passing me on sidewalk, but I am nervous when an energetic dog runs/jumps/barks at me even though they maybe friendly. I & my 2 children freeze when the puppy runs toward us barking, but I would say he goes back to his owner right away once owner calls his name a few times. He is on leash sometimes, but that leash is long for him to get closer to us since we live in townhouse (only like 10 feet away). I grew up in a populated city with high rise buildings, and no one I know have pets like dogs or cats.

I am fine, but now I peep through the side window to make sure that puppy is not around before I exit the front door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is op. It is a small breed puppy with short legs, so right now I don’t think he can climb up the steps yet or maybe he can ( I don’t know). He always runs towards us leashed or unleashed when we leave the front door, and our front doors are 10 feet away only. My neighbor sometimes like to hang out at their front door. I used to talk to neighbor before covid time & before they have puppy, we stay at home most of the time these days.

I think because I never pat the puppy or let him smell me or he senses my fears, so he does not know that we are harmless. I am fine with a calm big dog on a leash walk passing me on sidewalk, but I am nervous when an energetic dog runs/jumps/barks at me even though they maybe friendly. I & my 2 children freeze when the puppy runs toward us barking, but I would say he goes back to his owner right away once owner calls his name a few times. He is on leash sometimes, but that leash is long for him to get closer to us since we live in townhouse (only like 10 feet away). I grew up in a populated city with high rise buildings, and no one I know have pets like dogs or cats.

I am fine, but now I peep through the side window to make sure that puppy is not around before I exit the front door.

Yes, I think that puppy does not often bark at other neighbors or kids, except us. Not sure if it is because the motion of me opening front door alerts him or we live so close (next door) threatening him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is op. It is a small breed puppy with short legs, so right now I don’t think he can climb up the steps yet or maybe he can ( I don’t know). He always runs towards us leashed or unleashed when we leave the front door, and our front doors are 10 feet away only. My neighbor sometimes like to hang out at their front door. I used to talk to neighbor before covid time & before they have puppy, we stay at home most of the time these days.

I think because I never pat the puppy or let him smell me or he senses my fears, so he does not know that we are harmless. I am fine with a calm big dog on a leash walk passing me on sidewalk, but I am nervous when an energetic dog runs/jumps/barks at me even though they maybe friendly. I & my 2 children freeze when the puppy runs toward us barking, but I would say he goes back to his owner right away once owner calls his name a few times. He is on leash sometimes, but that leash is long for him to get closer to us since we live in townhouse (only like 10 feet away). I grew up in a populated city with high rise buildings, and no one I know have pets like dogs or cats.

I am fine, but now I peep through the side window to make sure that puppy is not around before I exit the front door.

Can you can sense your fear. I think you should not have to always look outside your window before going out. That is not fair to you. You should ask your neighbors to keep the dogs on a short leash so that it does not go on your property or able to reach you. That is not unreasonable.

Can I also give you some well-meaning advice? Do what you can to not pass along your fears to your kids. They also pick up on it.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn’t have to worry about exiting your house and it’s perfectly okay to not want a barking dog running toward you or your children. Regardless of size.

I have a small dog that would bark at people if they walked past our property (not on walks). I had to put in the work to train him to stay. He might get out one bark, but I promptly tell him no and he does not run towards anyone anymore.

Some people baby small dogs. I admit I did it initially too, but realized that it was doing my dog no favors. I would not allow that behavior with my bigger dog, it’s not okay with a small dog either. Dog manners are dog manners regardless of size.

Let the neighbor know that you are very uncomfortable with their dog running and barking at you and your kids. That you’ve been patient for several months given that it was a new puppy but that you can no longer tolerate not wanting to exit your house in fear of their dog.

It is not your job to befriend a barking and running dog. It is the owners job to raise a properly trained dog.

[Anonymous]

Since you have a friendly past with the neighbor, maybe you can take this opportunity to have a good conversation and let them know that you're afraid of dogs and think your kids might be, too. Let them know that the puppy charging at you when you exit your house scares you and ask if there's a good time that the puppy is a bit calmer so that you can introduce puppy to your kids and get to know puppy a bit. A little interaction with a small puppy couldn't hurt you, you've let your neighbors know that you're uncomfortable with the charging but you're not making it WWIII. I'd do it now, before the little puppy becomes a dog. It sounds likely that the puppy is there to stay so I'd try to make the best of it and take the opportunity to make your kids more comfortable around dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The puppy just wants to say hello! I understand that it is annoying but I promise that it is not a danger.

The best way to handle this if fear of a future attack is your main concern would be to have a few treats ready. Even better is if you say to the dog “stop” and when the dog stops throw a treat. Done. Trained dog.

Agree with this. Let the puppy know you are a friend not a threat. It sounds like you are scared of dogs in general? If you carry on like this your kids will be scared of dogs too. Let them see that you are ok with a dog being next door and don't pass your fears onto them.
I have the friendliest lab and sometimes I walk past people with him leashed and the adult and the kids will shrink away from me with fear on their faces......its so sad.

Counterpoint:

I think it’s depressing that you’ve signed up for a decade (or more!) of picking up animal poop several times a day. That’s so sad...

[Anonymous]

As others have said, I don't think the puppy is being mean or will bite you. Puppies are very unlikely to bite anyone or be aggressive at all. They're like toddlers. They can be super rambunctious and sometimes nip (like teething), but they are basically harmless.

However, you have a right to not want the puppy to bother you, and it's fair to think that this behavior might continue even when the puppy grows into a dog and there is some (albeit probably low) risk of being bitten.

It sounds like your neighbor just doesn't realize this bothers you. You should tell them their puppy is adorable but you aren't comfortable with dogs, and this is making you and your kids very nervous to leave the house. As that they use the backyard with the puppy (is that an option?) or keep it on a leash on their own property at all times. Be nice about it but firm. If you don't want to "work on your fear," don't let them talk you into it just to be nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since you have a friendly past with the neighbor, maybe you can take this opportunity to have a good conversation and let them know that you're afraid of dogs and think your kids might be, too. Let them know that the puppy charging at you when you exit your house scares you and ask if there's a good time that the puppy is a bit calmer so that you can introduce puppy to your kids and get to know puppy a bit. A little interaction with a small puppy couldn't hurt you, you've let your neighbors know that you're uncomfortable with the charging but you're not making it WWIII. I'd do it now, before the little puppy becomes a dog. It sounds likely that the puppy is there to stay so I'd try to make the best of it and take the opportunity to make your kids more comfortable around dogs.

This is op. I have thought of this idea as an opportunities to conquer fear & show it to my kids, and my neighbor does not mind my kids play with their puppy because I have seen my neighbor kids play with that puppy already. Many people love puppy. But the problem is that my neighbor does not wear mask hanging out or talking to others in the neighborhood ( and I cannot force them), and so do most of my neighborhood kids play with puppy do not wear masks. People (Adult & kids) are so comfortable not wearing masks hanging out together in my neighborhood because we are neighbors and they think covid risks are low & outdoors. They get the puppy because their only child is so lonely at home, and their child play with many kids together in the neighborhood maskless. I don’t feel comfortable to hang out with neighbor & their puppy as of now. DH is not scared of any dog because he grew up here & most of his childhood friends have small & big dogs. We will not own dogs because A of my fear, and I also cannot handle one more baby (puppy).