Big dog...off leash!?

[Suzy]

So we're happily settling into our new neighborhood, and we love to take the girls for walks after work. Sometimes we go on walks, or we play in the backyard-which has a 5' wood privacy fence. It's still light out after work now, and it's warming up here, so it's the perfect time for us and the girls to get outside. The problem is that the neighbor behind us has an at least 80 pound Akita that he likes to walk off the leash!

I once walked the dogs by his house right when we moved in, and when I noticed his dog roaming free around his yard and open garage, I stopped and picked the girls up, and asked him if his big dog was ok with little dogs. He said, "oh, ok," and took the dog into his house and shut the door. Since it's been nice, he too has been walking his dog, in front of our house, without a leash on it! Yesterday, I was home sick, and my hubby sent me roses (aww, I know!) and Milli escaped when the florist was at the door. Just then, he was walking that Akita past my house. Thank heaven she came right back in-because I'm not sure what would have happened! I assume this guy thinks that his dog is well-behaved enough to be off leash, and that he can control it, but I'm not convinced that his giant dog wouldn't take a chunk out of one of mine.

City laws say that dogs must be leashed. Does anyone know of a "nice" way to tell him or suggest subtly that he should leash his dog for the safety of other people and their dogs? I don't want to cause a rift, especially since he lives behind us...

Thanks!

[Percys_mamma]

Ugh, been having that problem since I moved into the neighborhood two years ago. I would love to hear answers. For whatever reason, no one around here leashes their dogs, they just let them out in the morning to do their business. My neighbors have a Chi that is in and out all day. He is a cutie, but barks. Non-stop. All. Day.

I have been in several tiffs about it. Before my rottie Baha passed Rainbow Bridge, we would walk the neighborhood. Now, she was a sweet sweet dog, but if some other dog was going to bark at me, she would get upset. One of neighbors would allows their three pits to roam in the mornings. No matter how hard I tried to sneak us out and walk around their yard, those pits always came running. Thank god Baha was well trained and listened.

I have tried talking to my neighbors, but it is always dismissed. In fact they cant figure out why I walk Percy on a leash.

[onelovelylynn]

make him a nice little note, Saying: Hi I am your neighbor and I have two small dogs we like to walk each evening while the weather is nice. I have noticed your dog is not on a leash when you walk him, and also not leashed when around your house and garage. I do believe there is a leash law in this state. I would appreciate it if you would abide by the law and keep your dog leashed while on walks and while around your house and garage in order that my two little dogs can feel safe to walk in there new neighborhood.

Thank you for you cooperation in this matter,

then your name if you want goes here.


THATS WHAT I WOULD DO.

[yorkiemalt]

I just went through the same thing today. New neighbors though were the ones with the unleashed dog.

I stopped and asked the father if he could please put the dog on a leash as there is a leash law in our town and the fine is quite hefty. He turns and looks and me and says....that s*cks and walks a few blocks away.

Then this afternoon I took Phoebi out for a walk and as we were coming around the corner, the same dog was running loose down the road.

I was furious! Mind you, Phoebi is my yorkie who was attacked by the pit mix in December which resulted in knee surgery to the tune of $3000.

I've decided I am going to start carrying my cell phone and when I see the dog loose again (which I'm sure I will) I'm just going to call the police and file a complaint. Maybe the $200 fine will help them decide to keep their dog on a leash.

[JeanieK]

I live outside the city. and dogs are not supposed to run loose here either, but there is a young black lab that is here almost every day. and he poops big piles in my yard, and pees on all of my bushes. I wish I could catch him, because if I did I'd take him to the animal shelter. but he runs when he sees me.

[YorkieGuru]

We had this big dog one day walking down my alley. I have a privacy fence but you can see through the cracks. Well my oldest yorkie, Louie, spots him and starts barking. So what happens? the dog gets violent and starts barking and trying to get in the yard. I panicked. I picked em all up and ran in the house. I went back out later and I couldnt find it. Everytime we go out I always look first, cause I'm scared it's going to be around somewhere waiting for my babies.

[tiggerr36792]

In my opinion, "All you can do is ask" if he is a gentleman then he will understand your concerns. I would just ask politely for him to keep his dog on a leash. Let him know your concerns and what you would like him to do, so you both can feel better about your dogs. Good luck!!!

[yorkiegirl83]

I have similar problems with my neighbors. If you do decide to leave them a note, I'd stay away from using the terms big and little dog... just because people can easily get offended.

There's a lab across from me and a chi next door that are off leash a lot of times, and the chi is the one who's attempted to attack my dogs.. the lab completely ignores them.

I think the best way to handle it.. the way I plan to do it also is to nicely ask if they can leash their dogs and to respect the leash law so that all of the neighborhood dogs can co exist safely.

Hopefully they'll respect that and comply..

[Suzy]

ohhhh you guys are all so nice and sweet...

What I FEEL like saying is "leash up your damn dog!" He of COURSE must know better. I'm afraid to approach the guy...he's bald, has tattoos, and always walks his dog while carrying a golf club! I asked my hubby about it, and he said he sees this guy playing golf with himself while walking the dog.

Maybe I can get HIM to say something about it...you know, a "man to man" kind of thing?