Issues with neighbor's dogs, need advice/need to vent

1982 Views 26 Replies 12 Participants Last post by iheartmyboxer, Feb 25, 2008

G

Discussion Starter · Feb 23, 2008

Ok- I've mentioned our neighbors a few times on here before. They breed pit bulls...keep all of them except the breeding pair outside in a big cage...and have like 11 of them at a time (11 is the most I've seen, I think they may have less right now). anyways...they keep a breeding pair inside and let them out back often. My dogs, when let outside, Bo especially likes to fence fight/play whatever..they run back and forth along the fence and like bark and stuff...Well, everytime we let our dogs out the neighbors come our and take their dogs in...they yell at them, they just overreact to them playing. They also tend to give us dirty looks as though we are causing the problem...Even if I am just outside, playing fetch with my dogs and they are totally ignoring the neighbor dogs, they call the dogs in...

What I am wondering...do they know something I don't know...is it bad for dogs to interact across the fence? Will it make their dogs want to murder Bo if they ever got out? Is this going to cause behavior issues for Bo by doing this? Other than that reasoning, I don't know why they seem to hate my dogs...every time they see them, it's a dirty look...it's weird. Mike went to pet one over the fence awhile back, and they also gave a dirty look and called them back...it's just weird to me... And why in the world have 11 dogs when you only have time to give love to 2 of them? And why have 11 dogs if they are just gonna be kept in a cage...they cover the cage with a tarp and I only see the dogs like once a week tops..and never all at once...who knows what's going on in there...

I've been fustrated with this situation since we moved in...I just am not sure what to do...confront them about it (about them hating our dogs) let it go and ignore it or what. I also don't know if I should report them to the humane society/animal services about having so many dogs...I don't know if they have a kennel license or not...never got close enough to the dogs to look...but if they don't, it's against the law to have more than 3 dogs in our area...but I don't want to cause a feud with our neighbors...

I'm really terrified of their dogs...they keep them all outside from like 3 months on...don't really interact with them, so little to no socialization, and with the number of them there are, it seems like pack mentality would set it...what would happen if 9-11 pit bulls got out into our neighborhood with no socialization and a pack mentality...what would they do to my dogs if they got out and into our yard...it's just scary...

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HannaBanana

· #2 · Feb 23, 2008

I personally would annony.

G

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 23, 2008

I've talked to them before about their dogs...they breed and supposedly show their dogs...but...who knows...

I know we are allowed to have pits in our area, i also know that if you have 3 or more dogs you have to have the kennel license. As far as Michigan law concerning outdoor dogs, as long as they have food, water, and shelter, the owners are within their rights to keep them outside...as far as I can see they are fed and watered everyday, and the big pen has a covering, the little ones have dog houses. I know our insurance will go up with pits, rotts, German shepherds, etc....don't know about theirs.

it just really bothers me that they are yelling at their dogs for being dogs, lol...doing dog behavior...other than this issue, the neighbors are great...they have helped us out many times. We had a few branches fall down and they used their tree removal company free of charge to remove them. When our car broke down, they helped mike get to the parts store, when we got stuck in our driveway in the snow, they helped us get out...it's just these dogs really hit a nerve with me, for safety issues and the fact that I really don't like dogs being kept outside.

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HannaBanana

· #4 · Feb 23, 2008

t just really bothers me that they are yelling at their dogs for being dogs, lol...doing dog behavior...other than this issue, the neighbors are great...they have helped us out many times

Then you just have to accept that not all dogs owners treat their dogs like you treat yours. If they are helpful, not causing any issues, then just ignore it. However if they are running an underground breeding ring of pits, and you know the temperments are not great, then IMO I would be concerned - other than that, I would not stir the pot just for yelling at dogs being dogs.

48Dodge

· #5 · Feb 23, 2008

aquagirl900\";p=\"83649 said:
I've talked to them before about their dogs...they breed and supposedly show their dogs...but...who knows...

Has anyone ever met a breeder that shows their dogs that actually keeps them outside?

G

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 24, 2008

can you even show pitbulls? I didn't think that pit bulls were technically AKC registered...

Nexu

· #7 · Feb 24, 2008

I'd try talking to them about the specific issue, which seems to be: them yelling at their dogs for playing along the fence with yours. Since you've already talked to them a little bit, and they seem nice enough (they've helped out a few times), try asking them what the issue is without coming across like you are passing judgment. Next time the dogs are out and they then open the back door to call them in just give them a friendly "Hey Bob, are my dogs bothering yours?" type of comment over the fence. Then you can tell him that you notice he brings his dogs inside everytime this happens (while you think they are just playing like dogs do). Perhaps he has a legitimate reason that might make sense after he explains it.

Well that's how I'd handle it anyways

Good luck!

P.S. Happy belated birthday Bo!

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Donya

· #8 · Feb 24, 2008

pitts can play rough and esp if there are a lot of them it can possibly get out of hand. Maybe he is just worried that something MAY happen and he is taking them inside as a precaution for both yours and his dogs. Maybe they arent used to other dogs outside of their pack. If i think Mav may jump on a child because he is too excited i make sure he does not even play with the kid or i have a firm hold of him to avoid problems that may end up in a lawsuit is someone feels like it. Maybe your neighbor just doesnt want anything to go wrong so he is thinking ahead?

Lizcantjump

· #9 · Feb 25, 2008

[quote="aquagirl900\";p=\"83719":gndm9vyw]can you even show pitbulls?

Catosmommy

· #10 · Feb 25, 2008

48Dodge\";p=\"83671 said:
[quote="aquagirl900\";p=\"83649":bu31v0lg]I've talked to them before about their dogs...they breed and supposedly show their dogs...but...who knows...

Has anyone ever met a breeder that shows their dogs that actually keeps them outside?[/quote:bu31v0lg]

That is a good point. I would talk to them first, and get a feel of them. If things get worst then call.

357m

· #11 · Feb 25, 2008

I would have to agree, I would try and talk with them the next time your dogs are out and they come out to bring them in, it could be a simple thing. But if the answer they give you sounds bogus then I would call animal control to access the situation. Good luck with this but be careful too, a pack of animals can be dangerous especially strong dogs as pits. But all too often Pits get bad reps it just depends on how they are breed and treated, I have many friends with Pits and they are great.

iheartmyboxer

· #12 · Feb 25, 2008

I would go ask them for a play day with their dogs- if he has a problem with yours (or if his dogs are not dog friendly)... He'll probably tell you right then.

I'm with you though- I don't think there's a point in having "outdoor" dogs... And I don't think it's all that humane when it's in a cold climate like Michigan.

Pitbulls aren't AKC certified, however, Staffordshire Terriers are and they look almost identical... Is it possible that they are Staffordshire Terriers and not Pitbulls?

sully

· #13 · Feb 25, 2008

I'd be on the phone with animal control yesterday. No way I'd bring my dogs over to play with 11 strange pitbulls.

G

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 25, 2008

They said pit bulls...and they have like all this pittbull paraphernalia- flags, t-shirts, etc

grandprix

· #15 · Feb 25, 2008

"I'm with you though- I don't think there's a point in having "outdoor" dogs... And I don't think it's all that humane when it's in a cold climate like Michigan."

I agree that it's probably not the proper way to treat this type of dog. However, I think there are many outside dogs that make better/prefer to be "outdoor" dogs, i.e. Alaskan sled dogs (spend entire lives outside). I don't think that's inhumane.

CrazieKC

· #16 · Feb 25, 2008

[quote="grandprix\";p=\"84160":2ovne94z]"I'm with you though- I don't think there's a point in having "outdoor" dogs... And I don't think it's all that humane when it's in a cold climate like Michigan."

I agree that it's probably not the proper way to treat this type of dog.

grandprix

· #17 · Feb 25, 2008

"big difference between Alaskan sled dogs and pit bulls. Huskies (etc.) have thick fur to deal with the cold, pits and boxers do not."

Right on.

"I agree that it's probably not the proper way to treat this type of dog. However, I think there are many outside dogs that make better/prefer to be "outdoor" dogs, i.e. Alaskan sled dogs (spend entire lives outside). I don't think that's inhumane."

iheartmyboxer

· #18 · Feb 25, 2008

Grand- those dogs can sustain cold temperatures.... My boxer gets the shakes if it is below 50 degrees and he doesn't have a jacket on!

Aqua-Yeah- Pitbulls aren't AKC certified... But I think someone said they might be UKC or ACA certified (I'm not sure).

Sully- My dog just had a play day with 5 pit bull puppies- he had a blast. Pit bulls can actually be very sweet puppies (and if they aren't, I'm pretty sure that guy will tell Aqua that his dogs aren't dog friendly... Which at that point, I'd be calling animal control). Then again, I guess I'm not your hyper-sensitive parent who freaks out about everything though. *shrug*

Dogs will be dogs Aqua... Your neighbors might be the same type of people that you run into at the dog park, who freak out when dogs start wrestling and growling at each other (even when both dog's tails are wagging like crazy). There's a great Dane in my neighborhood, who used to change sidewalks when we came walking by- one day I approached her and asked how old he was, and she basically told me she was scared that they would get into rough housing and he would stomp on Beaux (little did she know that my dog is made of titanium it seems, hahaha). You never know people's reasoning for things!

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grandprix

· #19 · Feb 25, 2008

8-| Nevermind.

sully

· #20 · Feb 25, 2008

iheartmyboxer\";p=\"84173 said:
Sully- My dog just had a play day with 5 pit bull puppies- he had a blast. Pit bulls can actually be very sweet puppies (and if they aren't, I'm pretty sure that guy will tell Aqua that his dogs aren't dog friendly... Which at that point, I'd be calling animal control). Then again, I guess I'm not your hyper-sensitive parent who freaks out about everything though. *shrug*

I like pitbulls, would like to own one someday, but this does not sound like a responsible owner. I would not expect someone who treats their dogs in this way to know/care/aware of whether their dogs are friendly. So it doesn't matter what the breed is, I would be VERY weary of introducing my dog to 9 to 11 non-socialized dogs, especially of the same pack. It's not like going to a doggie daycare or even a dog park where you aren't introducing your dogs to one large pack. And you have to admit, a pitbull is a strong dog so a pack of them can do some serious damage. If I had a responsible friend with pitbulls that I knew were socialized properly, that'd be a completely different story.

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