To have someone just barge right into my yard like that would freak me out just from that. And then to follow you towards your house, it also sounds like she was too close and invading your personal space as well which would make anyone uncomfortable. And, if all that was not enough, to start asking more personal type questions without even knowing you, is just too much. Curious or not, you don't start any type of friendship by just going right into someone's yard and practically into their house like that. That is just too weird. I know I would have told her from the beginning to please leave as I have something I need to do and then go straight into the house with my baby in my arms. I would have then watched to see where she went to see if she even lived nearby. I would have then called the police just to have it on record in case she did come back again and maybe even try to take your baby. You just really never know.
It is possible that the woman just doesn't know how to properly introduce herself without being so overwhelming and overbearing. But, from your description, that incident would sure make me leery of her. :confused:

i absolutely hate when people ask how much i got riley for.. its really none of their business anyway. its always the same questions..

how old is he?
how much does he weigh?
where did you get him?
how much did he cost?
are you going to breed?

it makes me feel uncomfortable sometimes.

Okay I don't understand why it sends up red flags because she was in the yard. My neighbors come in my yard to talk. They did it as soon as we moved here, just to talk and all. Is it a southern thing here compared to other places? I'm not for sure.........but I do not fine such a big deal of someone coming into the garden I hate when one of my neighbors yells at me from across the street so I would prefer for him to walk over and say whatever it is. If the OP found this offensive maybe she needs to get a NO Tresspassing sign up so this cannot happen again.

I hate the how much was he/she question. Even when it's coming from friends/family because the next thing is always "those dogs are so expensive"
It's funny because if you get an engagement ring, new expensive outfit, or even furniture most people would think it's rude or innapropriate to ask how much you paid.
Unless the person is interested in getting one and wants to consider your breeder they should just control the urge to ask.

She didn't just step on the grass of her yard, a complete stranger opened the gate and let herself in with an unfamiliar dog! I can't imagine that NOT being a breach of southern manners. If it was a well known neighbor that may be one thing, but that was not the case. At the very least this woman needs to learn some boundaries (and manners). You shouldn't have to put up a No Trespassing sign, most civilized people know not to open a strangers gate and walk in to a private yard without invitation. Too many owners are afraid of not being polite and end up putting their babies in bad situations, bravo to her for not doing that. As a previous poster said, even if she was just trying to be friends, this woman's complete lack of propriety (i.e. craziness) would not exactly make the possible loss of a friendship with her sad. She needs to learn basic manners if she wants to make friends. :thumbup: Lucia for standing your ground and letting her know in no uncertain terms that her behavior was not acceptable!

I actually don't mind answering curious questions when I'm out with my baby for her walks. I know I'm always curious myself especially when I was looking to buying one. If possible, I'd have wanted to buy from a breeder who's been proven by a healthy sweet yorkie I fell in love with in person where the owner of said sweet yorkie vouches for the health and temperament of her dog. And of course, price is important to me too because I don't want to get my hopes up if it's at a range I couldn't justify spending. At that point, knowing where they got their dog from may or may not matter anymore except to note that said breeder probably breeds healthy dogs I cannot bring myself to buying. Good to know to refer to another who doesn't question the cost of living and loving around here. :)

Problem here is, this woman does seem highly suspicious if not also very lacking in manners. I would understand that she helped herself through the gate if no one was outside and she wanted to knock on the door or ring the doorbell with her unleashed dog carried or left outside otherwise next to her on leash. Conversing over a fence and/or gate that's low enough for them to have seen you from the otherside of it to begin with, isn't the same as shouting across the street. When the resident of the house is right there, it's up to him/her to open the gate to welcome you onto his/her home or to offer for you to let yourself in.

Again, I'd be wary of her returning, but not so much for your dog, that might have been a disguise for her true interest in investigating your household for future burglaries... That's the kind of world we live in now, sad as it is.

That is Nut's !!!!

I have a lock on my gate. It makes me glad Brownie isnt friendly When people are weird like that with my other 2 i always say how nasty & unfriendly they are.

I would keep an eye out for that loon.

I don't think she needs to hang a "No Tresspassing" sign at all. It's bad manners to intrude into someones space without first asking. What if Claire's Twinkle happened to have dog agression and then went for the larger dog when it was leaping all over her? If a fight had of broke out who do you think would of come of worse? Would you then say it was acceptable for the woman to just walk into Claire's enclosed garden? This also wasn't a neighbour, it was someone who was unfamiliar to her.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Exactly.

Actually, I have neighbors come in my FRONT yard all of the time and that is okay, but is sounds to me like this person (a STRANGER w/ a larger dog) walked in to a gated yard! My gated yard is MY space and really nobody should be in there without being invited! I would have been upset too! You can never be too careful.....trust your gut!

wow. Personally I don't think that is normal at all! Why the **** would someone open a complete strangers gate??? I would have done the same exact thing and I will be even more careful with my baby!

I would not want someone opening my gated yard:eek: when I have my Yorkies out back in our fenced in yard they are off leash and I would not want them getting out! How very rude! I also do not like the $$$$ questions because really if they are looking at getting a Yorkie then they know that they are "pricy". When I get the $$$$ questions from complete strangers, I usually just tell them mine are priceless. If I think they are serious I will give them my breeders information and then they can check it out for themselves:rolleyes:

Ooh, that is a good response. I think I may have to "borrow" that one!

Thx.

To address southern hospitality. Yes they are friendly forthright folks but I have never met a southerner that did not say "come in, have a seat, or can I get you something to drink". They key there is that the offer to enter is given. If someone comes to you and enters a gated area WITHOUT an invite then it is indeed intrusive and rude. In true southen style as well, the person entering would usually say, do you mind if I come in. So this woman crossed the line.

The problem is that you didn't stop it right there as she was entering. Upon the realization that she was crossing the line you should have said, "Oh, thanks for wanting to chat but I do not allow other dogs in my yard or near my dog. If she continued forward you say "Seriously, please do not come in but we can talk outside of the gate". I would hate to say my dog was sick but saying my dog is going through a round of shots and the vet is not sure of the outcome would do it.

It is difficult to have dispute with neighbors. If things go sour, you still live near these people so you try to get along. I always handle people that ask me questions I dont feel comfortable with by responding with questions. How much did you pay for your yorkie? my response, "are you familiar with the breed?" and just talk them in circles. When you get good at it your opponent (because at this point it IS a game) will get tired of addressing your questions and move on.

Sylar and I regular Petsmart since he gets baths and puppy class there. One time a lady asked if her kids could pet him (they were relatively young 4 & 6 I believe). They were gentle with him the youngest one picked him up and his mom set him down. Then the 6 year old tried to take my Flexi leash away from me and I tried to be as nice as possible. Then after all that we walk to the next aisle and a woman gasped at the sight of my dog and picked him up and started cuddling him without my permission. I thought it was absolutely strange and rude. I ranted to my boyfriend when I got home. I know Yorkies are tiny but that doesn't give a right to a stranger to pick up the dog. If I had a German Shepherd I don't think they'd just pick up the shepherd. Sheesh.

Some people just don't know boundries. They just can't say, "oh how cute" and move on. The woman who went into the yard was way out of line. What if her baby got out. You don't need to open a gate and walk right in to talk to someone. To my knowledge she didn't introduce herself as a new neighbor or say Oh I live down the street. This woman was just walking by with her dog. Especially that she had a dog with her, is she crazy to just go into someones yard. Especially if you a neighbor, whom she never met. Some people are very nervy. She did the right thing. But I would be creeped out. I would watch my baby like a hawk. and GET A LOCK!!!

:aimeeyorkCOCO :aimeeyorkPEBBLES :aimeeyorkTRIXIE