[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Tcarnagie

Being an parent to a pit bull, English Bulldog, Maltese and a Yorkie I can understand where you are coming from. My dogs all get along with each other. However, I NEVER leave the pit bull unattended. If I am gone, she goes in a crate, if she is outside, I am there with her. Not that I don't trust her cause I do, I just KNOW that if anything charges at her including one of my other dogs she will do what is natural and defend herself. Little dogs have a tendency to charge after bigger dogs and bigger dogs see little dogs as "threats." A lot of it comes from poor socialization on both dogs parts. My pit has been with me since she was 5 weeks old when I rescued her and has grown up in a house with little dogs. She loves to snuggle with the babies but being 63 lbs, we have to watch her closely. Unless you know all of the dogs "triggers" I would not let your dogs go unattended while they are outside. If my neighbors dogs are out, Lola (Pit) is on a leash with me at the other end or she comes inside and we do have a fenced yard. I just won't take any chances of my baby having to be put down for something so I don't let her have any opportunities for anything to happen. This all comes from knowing my dogs and what will and could set them off. I can tell by looking at her if she is uncomfortable in a situation or not.

My advice would be work with the neighbors on a time when your dogs can go out and when theirs can. They sound like they are willing to work with you. Another thing is keep your dogs on a leash while you are outside and they are too. You just don't know how those dogs are raised and what will set them off. Remember clothes and bows on a dog makes the dog look like a toy. Next I would work with your dogs on "charging" the fence with dogs on the other side of it. That is a big NO-NO and could get them in trouble.