Neighbor puppy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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).

So is it the dog or the masks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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).

So is it the dog or the masks?

+100

[Anonymous]

Ask to be introduced to the puppy so it knows you and is less likely to bark.

It isn't showing threatening behavior and it seems like you don't have any experience with dogs. Even if you don't like them, learning how to read them is a valuable skill.

You have a right to not be accosted on your doorstep but you also have an opportunity to become more knowledgeable and comfortable in general for yourself and your children.

Obviously you can defend your family but again, it's very much an overreaction at this point. Jumping straight to kicking it is a gross overreaction that is really worrisome. It's easily remedied but I think you need some education on dogs and a more open mind.

It sounds like your neighbor needs to keep a tighter lead.

Communicate-Talk to your neighbor about keeping the dog off of your yard. Explain you are concerned for your children. Children (and you, apparently) need to learn how to read dog body language.

The dog is also trespassing. Put up a fence or some inkberry shrubs if you want. Fences aren't a bad idea in general, especially with young children.

Fwiw, I have/had issues with dogs trespassing (not cute puppies) and escalated it to animal control and the police (for threats and assault) after discussing with the owners multiple times. I don't recommend that route unless necessary.

As a warning, if you kick the puppy without any sort of justification, expect lots of blowback.

[Anonymous]

You need to make friends with the puppy. Then it will stop barking at you. But your neighbor definitely needs to leash the puppy. ask neighbor to help you give it treats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Sorry I don't care how wonderful you think your dog is. I would prefer not to hear barking or be jumped at or licked. I am just not a dog person. It is not sad. Dog people have to realize not everyone shares their view.

+1 My parents’ friendly lab was so friendly he broke someone’s hip trying to make friends.

The only dogs that scare me are the ones whose owners say, “he’s just playing! He would never bite you,” because that shows me they don’t take their responsibilities seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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).

So is it the dog or the masks?

I think the point is that the lack of masks makes it hard to go befriend the puppy as so many PPs are suggesting. If she (understandably) doesn’t want to get close to her unmasked neighbor, it makes it harder to have the normal puppy-human introduction, so she is left to deal with it all from a distance.

OP, I think you need to share with your neighbor that you don’t want the dog to approach you. You can say something to the effect of “I get nervous around dogs. Can you please keep him in your yard? Thanks!”

[Anonymous]

This last suggestion is good. YOu can also point out that with kids/packages/whatnot you are worried that someone might hurt the dog unintentionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get some treats. Make friends with the puppy.

Do not give food to other peoples dogs!!

Spare me. If your dog is so ill-behaved that it runs up to other people without permission and then takes treats from them, it's your lack of training that is the problem.

[Anonymous]

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.

NP. No thanks. Leash that puppy. No interest in training my neighbor's dog.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that it's going to be possible to make the dog not bark when a stranger suddenly appears so close to its territory. The dog doesn't know that the area behind your door or your porch is a separate space that isn't its territory. It doesn't even know that your living room and kitchen are behind the door. You're just appearing out of nowhere right smack in the middle of "his" space, as far as the dog is concerned.

Dogs bark for all sorts of reasons, including when they're happy to see you. You're reading the dog's barking all wrong and that's on you. Now, if you make yourself not a stranger but a friend to the dog, that could solve the barking problem.

If you choose to live in a townhouse or apartment, IMO you're subjecting yourself to the possibility that you'll have to interact with your neighbors when you enter and exit since your front doors are so close. If you want to minimize this, put up a fence or wall or something. If that's not possible then you should find a different place to live.

In the United States in the year 2020, dogs are very common in public spaces. It's a good idea to learn to coexist with their presence on walking paths, sidewalks, and all sorts of other places. People who choose to not find a way to be comfortable around dogs are setting themselves up for lots of unnecessary angst. Obviously, if you have an allergy, that's different.

If I were a parent with a fear of dogs, I'd have the dog-friendly spouse spend time with the kids and some gentle dogs raised by responsible pet owners. You being there is going to negatively impact on the kids because they sense your anxiety, so you should stay away and do your own training separately. Your spouse probably knows people from work or the neighborhood who might be willing to lend him their trained adult dog for an afternoon. They could all take the dog for walk around the neighborhood or something, which would help the kids learn to enjoy the company of a dog.

I wouldn't make this one dog the end-all-be-all of your dog comfort training. That's too much pressure to put on one little puppy who, for all we know, might actually not not ever be a very friendly dog.

[Anonymous]

(cont'd)
I've made my two dogs available to friends with new dogs or puppies for dog socialization, and also for modeling good behavior. Over the years our dogs have been the first "dog experience" for several of my friends and their children. We've even let a few friends dog sit for a weekend to help them decide if dog ownership is something they feel ready for. So, I think it shouldn't be too difficult to find someone who would help you with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that it's going to be possible to make the dog not bark when a stranger suddenly appears so close to its territory. The dog doesn't know that the area behind your door or your porch is a separate space that isn't its territory. It doesn't even know that your living room and kitchen are behind the door. You're just appearing out of nowhere right smack in the middle of "his" space, as far as the dog is concerned.

Dogs bark for all sorts of reasons, including when they're happy to see you. You're reading the dog's barking all wrong and that's on you. Now, if you make yourself not a stranger but a friend to the dog, that could solve the barking problem.

If you choose to live in a townhouse or apartment, IMO you're subjecting yourself to the possibility that you'll have to interact with your neighbors when you enter and exit since your front doors are so close. If you want to minimize this, put up a fence or wall or something. If that's not possible then you should find a different place to live.

In the United States in the year 2020, dogs are very common in public spaces. It's a good idea to learn to coexist with their presence on walking paths, sidewalks, and all sorts of other places. People who choose to not find a way to be comfortable around dogs are setting themselves up for lots of unnecessary angst. Obviously, if you have an allergy, that's different.

If I were a parent with a fear of dogs, I'd have the dog-friendly spouse spend time with the kids and some gentle dogs raised by responsible pet owners. You being there is going to negatively impact on the kids because they sense your anxiety, so you should stay away and do your own training separately. Your spouse probably knows people from work or the neighborhood who might be willing to lend him their trained adult dog for an afternoon. They could all take the dog for walk around the neighborhood or something, which would help the kids learn to enjoy the company of a dog.

I wouldn't make this one dog the end-all-be-all of your dog comfort training. That's too much pressure to put on one little puppy who, for all we know, might actually not not ever be a very friendly dog.

You're nuts pp. Suggesting the OP move because the neighbor hasn't trained their dog to not run onto another person's property towards people while barking?!

Get outta here with that nonsense.

-Dog owner

[Anonymous]

I don’t like dogs running towards me or jumping on me or my children. I can’t stand when people let their dogs charge at strangers, even when they’re playful or friendly. I don’t want to touch their dogs, but I will wave and smile at them. I would just tell them you‘re allergic tbh. People generally understand allergies better than “I don’t care for a dog yipping around me or drool my pants.“

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t like dogs running towards me or jumping on me or my children. I can’t stand when people let their dogs charge at strangers, even when they’re playful or friendly. I don’t want to touch their dogs, but I will wave and smile at them. I would just tell them you‘re allergic tbh. People generally understand allergies better than “I don’t care for a dog yipping around me or drool my pants.“

Allergic pp here. Please don’t say you have an allergy if you don’t actually have one. Makes it harder for those of us with real allergies to be taken seriously. Which leads me to my other point-even saying you have an allergy doesn’t always do the trick, plenty of people get upset or offended or just don’t believe in allergies.

[Anonymous]

Why the heck is it not on a leash?

One more bad dog-owner that makes the rest of us look bad...