I think my neighbor's dog wants to eat Princess!

[Princess10]

Earlier this summer we ran into a woman and her white Gsd in the hall & she struggled to maintain control while he realllly growled at Princess. After they passed someone said the dog tried to get their dog before (maltese mix-ish).

I really haven't seen them since til earlier this week. We were on our 3rd floor about to descend the steps & I could hear them enter the first. We were going to get mail but he barked & usually Princess sticks up for her territory but whatever he "said" she cowered & tried to army crawl out of there. As I tried to pick her up I could hear this dog dragging his owner up the stairs. We hurried & I shut the fire door to provide a barrier. Later that night they came up the stairs by my door & I heard him bark so I went to the peep hole & he basically flung himself at my door, again dragging the woman.

I called the office today & told them & she knew who I was talking about. I think they live on this other wing as there's a dog that barks if we walk by & again Princess is not mad she's super scared.

It happened again this evening, him barking, her stomping, etc. to get some traction. I don't even know why they're using that stairwell when there's TWO much closer.

The office said they have to go through steps, etc. so it could take a while for something to be done. How could I possibly protect Princess even if she's in my arms if we cross paths? This dog could easily stand 5 ft. & I'm 5'3"! Would mace or something work? I thought about just posting a sign saying "if you can't control your dog you need to muzzle it" but that's not going to teach the dog anything & doesn't mean it wont scare the crap out of us lunging.

Oh, the joys of an apartment complex.

[Jacksmom052709]

Doesn't Victoria S. have a book "It's Me Or The Dog" I would get a copy of a good book about training and give it to the lady the next time you see her. Or get a box of really big treats and carry some with you and the next time you see them, make friends with the GSD by offering him a treat (of course check with his mommy first). Other than that, I have no idea. Good luck!

[Teresa Ford]

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. I am sorry too, but I can't sugar coat my advice, Bluntly : You need to protect yourself and your Yorkie. I would at the very least carry hair spray , air fresher or mace, something to spray in it's face. Also a broom handle walking stick is usefull when walking small dogs. My walking stick held off a scary Rottie, until his owner could get a grip on his collar. I never hit him, just bounced it on the pavement and shouted NO, Bad Dog, NO sit !

[My lil friend]

I know that this may sound cruel,but a training collar would keep the big dog from lunging at anyone. Maybe you could purchase one for her and hang it on her door.
Tacky I know but the woman needs to get a grip on her dog,obviously the dog is the Alpha in that home.

[Princess10]

Well this dog reallllly needs to be put in check, or better yet move out. I was just coming back from the laundry room & had my back turned walking back to my apt. when I heard that terrifying bark. I turned around and the woman was once again struggling to keep her dog from coming at me! I'm shaking so bad, I even started crying. This time once she was leaving the hall I yelled a few choice words of advice to her. It was just so scary because I wouldn't have dared to run into my apt. if he came after me-Princess would no doubt run out trying to defend me. I called the office & left a message & am emailing the corporate office tomorrow. I'm also calling animal control when I get out of work. If it scared me that bad, how would my dd feel in the a.m. leaving for school when no ones home for her to run to? And the way Princess cowers at his barks-I've never, ever seen a dog go so low to the ground they are basically crawling like a newborn pup, this dog is very, very scary. Who wants to take responsibility should the worst happen? I strongly suggest this apt. complex steps up soon. Sorry to go on and on, that just really scared me.

[yorkieusa]

Something needs to be done. I can't imagine living with that fear.

[Micah my love]

That makes me so scared that it will attack you as well as Princes

[Coton Momma]

I would go one step farther than you already have. Call the non emergency police number or go into your local station and file a report. You need to get something on paper just in case something REALLY bad happens. And there is no excuse for the owner. Sad it will be the dog that gets the blame. I have had several LARGE GSDs, trained them correctly, and never had one bit of a problem. I am having 1000000% more trouble training up Angel and she is only 10lbs. Also, depending on your city, you can file a small claims case for $ as she is preventing you from the normal enjoyment of your home. Sounds kinna crazy but at this point you need to do ANYTHING to make her see this is a serious problem.
Good luck and STAY SAFE!!!!!!!!!!

[Bitsy]

That is so scary. I'm glad you are being proactive here! I think the above tip is good too. And, I think buying a muzzle leash and giving it to her is not a bad idea. Maybe she'd use it?? You can always write a nice note saying you would hate for anything bad to happen to any person or pet and just wanted to help her out. I don't know...sounds like she has an out of control dog. Scares me.

[Princess10]

Just talked to the leasing agent & animal control. The agent said she's had several complaints about this dog. I guess one of our maint. men lives here & he's been lunged at. They told her to get a muzzle or shock collar (I am not normally a fan, btw) and she said she has the collar, I don't know if she's using it or not. If she was that dog didn't care.

The complex has given her two options: get rid of the dog or exit your lease and move, period. They didn't say how long she has to decide but it can't be soon enough. At least they're stepping up. When I called AC they said there is no complaint to make until skin is broken, so call back when that happens!!!!!!!!!! I guess if that happens I'll be contacting a lawyer since they don't want to see the very real threat this dog is.

I do try to feel compassion for the dog that's probably helpless but it's hard when it makes me fear for my life & the lives I am responsible for.

[My lil friend]

It sounds like in this pack of two (big dog/owner) that the dog is the Alpha. To bad she isnt taking the time to train it up right. Shepards can be such good dogs,but like all dogs they have to have attention and training. So sad
Hope you stay safe until either dog or she and the dog move. Be extra careful!

[beecee]

Oh man, I'm sorry you have to deal with that. I have a couple of dogs in my neighborhood that scare the crap out of me since I have the yorkie and my other dog who is only 19 pounds. I had to whip one of them up into my arms with the leash when a large dog came running. I carry a water gun now.

I don't know if it will make a difference or not but if it doesn't, next thing is my BB gun. It's low powered so it won't kill them but if any dog tries mauling my dog...well...it's on like Donkey Kong!

[megansmomma]

My guess is this is going to be a long battle with your neighbor. It's not that easy to evict someone and their options from the landlord seem to have been ignored. If they were serious about abiding by the rules set forth they would have the dog muzzled and a shock collar in place.

[megansmomma]

My guess is this is going to be a long battle with your neighbor. It's not that easy to evict someone and their options from the landlord seem to have been ignored. If they were serious about abiding by the rules set forth they would have the dog muzzled and a shock collar in place.

[Princess10]

Originally Posted by megansmomma

My guess is this is going to be a long battle with your neighbor. It's not that easy to evict someone and their options from the landlord seem to have been ignored. If they were serious about abiding by the rules set forth they would have the dog muzzled and a shock collar in place.

I think it will be easier for them to get her to move since she has all these complaints against her already. They are sticklers to their lease (which they should be) and I'm sure all of this has equaled some violations. I told the leasing agent I'm purely on the defensive now, that I have a family to protect. The way I look at it is she's been warned by them, by me and by who knows else. It's a sad day for me to have to think about how I could "disarm" a dog if needed but I don't know what other options I have. I just hope and pray they'll be moving soon. I'm sure if just the dog goes she'll really lose the sense she's already lacking and obviously be very pissed off.