Am I overreacting?
 

I just had an incidence that really made me angry. I spent a lot of money fencing in my yard for my previous dog, Freeway. Freeway was around 18 pounds. Now I have Oliver, who is 9 pounds. So, I once again spent the time and the money filling in any holes that he may have been able to get out of. The next door neighbors both have small dogs, one who is fully fenced in and one who is always on a run. The neighbors in the back have a gigantic dog who can easily clear my fence - and did - and scared Oliver so badly that when I realized what was going on and ran outside he jumped right into my arms. This dog should be on a run as not only is the fence not high enough to contain him, the rest of their yard is not fenced at all!!!!

Now, anytime I let Oliver out, I feel like I have to constantly keep my eyes on him. This dog was not mean, it seemed friendly enough, but it was large enough to freak Oliver out and I do NOT want it in my yard!!! I should be able to feel safe letting my dog out in my own backyard that I fenced in just for him!!! I am absolutely furious but because the dog wasn't mean or vicious I really don't know what to do or if I am just overreacting as I'm not used to having a dog so small and I am definitely a lot more protective of him. Should I go have a little chat with these people? Doubt it will help, but might make me feel a little better, lol.

You're not over-reacting! I mean, it's a very good thing the dog is nice! So it's not like there's AS much to worry about - the dog probably just wants to play.

But it's very annoying when people don't pay attention to their dogs at all and let them free roam, to the point where they're jumping fences into other peoples yards.

So, I would just nicely say something to the neighbor, maybe in a joking way? "Wow, your dog jumped my fence and scared me to death!" And hopefully the neighbor would be more willing to help contain their dog. It's YOUR yard and you shouldn't have to worry about other dogs in it besides your own. Especially if they leave you big "presents" in your yard, I'd be really annoyed.

Well, I definitely would speak with them. Maybe you could explain that this happened and scared you and your dog terribly. They may feel awful and make sure it doesn't happen again!

I would talk to the neighbours and I'd do it in a calm yet firm matter. They need to know that you are a nice person but you are not thrilled with their dog trespassing on your property.

You have every reason to be upset. You have a fence for a reason and you should NOT have to fear for your dog's life when you let him out. Have a civilized talk with your neighbors and just tell them your concerns - not so much that their dog isn't friendly, just that with him being so big that he could accidentally hurt your little one and that he scared your baby really bad.

I would be royally pissed off..... but I would play nice
 

Dealing with neighbors and their dogs is always tricky. Perhaps if you baked some cookies, and delivered them and had a very friendly chat with them about their dog. Keeping it upbeat and friendly will probably get you more help from them than being angry.might put them in the right frame of mind.

The neighbors are clearly in the wrong, but it won't matter if they continue to allow their dog to jump "trespass". If that happens your only alternative might be animal control and that is never a good thing.

Good luck.

How scary for your baby! I agree that talking with the neighbor is a good idea. They may have no idea that their dog was ever in your yard. How did you get him out of the yard?

I'm sure your neighbor would appreciate a talk vs. the alternative (calling the city dog pound).

Good luck - I know its not easy!!

Well I am glad I am not overreacting, because I sure am annoyed by it! I had to chase this dog back over the fence (with Oliver shaking in my arms) to his side of the yard.

I know that I need to talk to them, and I know I need to do it calmly.. which is why I refrained from running over there the second it happened. I am the type of person who avoids conflict and confrontation at all costs, but when it comes to my baby, all bets are off. I'll go over there tomorrow and hopefully they hear me. I do not want to call animal control, as it won't be the owners that suffer, it will be the dog - and it really hasn't done anything wrong. I am more worried about him stepping on Oliver than anything, big dogs are not a worry for me as long as I know the dog and am supervising the visit. How can I supervise if I don't even know it's happening. It absolutely terrified me to look out the patio door and see this huge dog jump over my fence and race towards my dog. I never, ever, want to see it again!

You have every right to be upset, that big dog could hurt your little one, after all it is your yard

Situations like this call for killing them with kindness. The last thing you want is strained relations with neighbors.

Get your dog and the neighbors big dog together with both owners and get them used to each other. Once they know each other the big dog won't have any reason to come over to your yard.

When you present the idea to the neighbor say something like "Hi, i notice your dog keeps jumping my fence and i was a bit worried since my dog is so small. Would you be able to spend a couple of afternoons with me in the yard so our dogs could get used to each other?"

Only good things will come from this. Your dog makes new friends, they put their dog on a leash, you make new friends - or all of the above :)

good luck

Couldn't agree more. It is worth trying to reason with them-for the sake of your baby!!

Maybe you can run some barbed wire across the top of your fence. That will stop the dog from even trying to jump it maybe!