Need training/coping advice!

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Yesterday we got a new neighbor in the apartment next door. They have 2 dogs. 2 uncontrollable, rude, vicious dogs. We have to walk right by their front door and around the corner right by their bedroom window to go anywhere. Whether Maddy is with us or not these dogs hear us and freak out. They begin barking and growling like maniacs. The person who brings them out cannot control them on leash. Let me point out that I haven't personally encountered them but my husband did yesterday and said the little jack russell jumped and nipped at him yesterday and again this morning. The bigger bull dog lunges and pulls on its leash and I just know this person has their hands full. The jack russell runs out of the apartment and doesn't obey any sort of 'come' command. My husband had to pick Maddy up and the dog was jumping and biting her. Maddy is very friendly toward other dogs and I'm beginning to think these dogs scare her. When I take her out to potty she likes to stop at the corner (first chance at grass) and pee before we go on...right in front of the bedroom window where the owner leaves the blinds up so her dogs can see out. Now, I understand wanting them to see the outside world but they were freaking out this morning and now Maddy is beginning to respond to the craziness by jumping/pulling/barking/etc and she tunes me out because she is so on edge. I am just not sure how to handle her and correct her behaviors while dealing with the unpredictability of this neighbor's dogs. Also, it seems that every single other dog in our neighborhood is mean and uncontrollable as they ALL lunge and bark/growl when we're out on walks but at least we can avoid them by going in another direction. NO ONE seems to clean up their dogs poop. It is a nightmare living in this community when it comes to the dogs and we just don't know what to do!! I would love your advice or opinions.

[Dori & Rua]

Nancy, that sounds awful!  I don't have any experience with that so the only advice I have is MOVE!!!   But I am sure someone will have some good advice to help. 

[Christine & Shelby]

Wow... what a difficult and frustrating situation for you and Maddy.   Have you considered talking to the owners of the new dogs?  Perhaps asking them to keep the blinds closed in that room or keep the dogs out of that room in general.  It really does seem unfair for your family and Maddy to have to put up with that every day.   Suggest some training classes?!?   I, too, am frustrated by people not cleaning up after their dogs.... and those who walk their dogs off leash (we have leash laws) and don't even have leashes with them.   Could you maybe contact code enforcement and see if they can 'patrol' or put up signage in hopes of improving the behavior.   I'm not sure any of these ideas will work, but they are the things that first came to my mind.  Good luck... keep us updated!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I like the suggestion to move as well, but I know that isn't possible, lol.

I have some of the same issues here in my neighborhood, although it's a single family home neighborhood. There are a lot of dogs here, and while the majority of them are not a problem, a lot of them are. We have the dogs who sound like they're going to break the glass of their windows when we walk by, the ones out in the yard who charge the fence and bark like maniacs at JD, the poop that's not picked up, and the dogs on retractable leashes who lunge,  bark and come at Jack with no control on the owner's part. In most of these cases, I have to work on keeping JD focused on me, and not these other dogs.

There's not much you can do about the ones who are inside their homes. With the poop all over, you can only keep your eye out and avoid letting your dog get near it, although if you know who's not cleaning up, you can try speaking to them or notifying the management, in which case a photo is your best bet.

With the dogs who are actually outside and coming at your husband or Maddy, there are a few things you can do. The first is simple avoidance; I scan the area constantly while we're wealking, and when i see trouble coming, I cross the street or turn another way. Of course, I try to keep Jack's focus on me, because once he sees the trouble coming, he's reactive, too. One thing i have learned is that eye contact is the big problem. If you see another dog who is eying your dog, that's going to be a problem. Ditto, watch Maddy and make sure she isn't looking at any other dogs either. This is where intense leash training, with your dog focusing only on you, is so important. It doesn't really matter what kind of distractions you come across if your dog doesn't pay any attention to them. I can't control the dog barking and banging on the window of the house we're passing, but i can teach jack not to pay attention to it. It takes a lot of work, though.

With dogs who charge right up to you or your dog, you have to throw politenerss and civility out the window. That dog and owner are being exceptionally rude to you and your dog, and you have every right to tell them so. I call out to these owners and tell them in no uncertain terms that they had better keep their dogs away from mine. I would not be above kicking a dog who attacked me or Jack. There are leash laws in my area that specify the distance which the dog can be from the owner (in regard to people who use retractibles and allow the dog more than the alloted distance) and I cite these laws, and make complaints with the police when necessary, if I know where the person lives. And then of course, I have the advantage of having a very large dog, and do not hesitate to tell people that if their dog comes at him, he will give it right back, and they won't like the results. There was one lady with two yorkies on 50 foot retractibles who laughed when I told her not to let them run at Jack, and I promise you, those dogs will not rush at another dog any time soon. (No blood was drawn.) I know this is not desirable, but I've really had it with some of these people, and we have the right to walk down the street without being harrassed or attacked.  

Wow, didn't mean to be so long-winded. I just really sympathize with you on these problems. Hope some of this helps.

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I totally agree with your comment on avoiding the "eye contact".  Murph is usually the instigator of the eye contact.  If I let him he would actually fixate on the other dog.  That has to be blocked, because it's usually the beginning of an escalated reaction.  Now I am constantly on the look out for it, and I use his training collar to give a correction the minute it starts, and, if I have to, I stand right in front of him so he cannot see the other dog.  If he does not give direct eye contact to the other dog, he gets lots of praise and treats.  I'm thinking you might want to try to distract your dog from even looking at these other dogs in whatever way best motivates Maddy....praise, treats.  Of course, there's nothing you can do to prevent them from fixating on HER. The hardest part of all is that it isn't going to be good for Maddy to sense that you're nervous or upset.  You need to walk by the other dogs as confidently as you possibly can, which will send Maddy a message that you've "got her back".  As for how to best handle these dogs if they are jumping and nipping at you....I wouldn't hesitate to report them to your apartment management or even local animal control.  All dogs are required to be under the control of their owners.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Do you rent or own?  If renting could you move to a different neighborhood with friendlier pets?

[Melissa & Porter]

I remember a Dog Whisperer episode in which Cesar helped an entire apartment complex, identified the different issues the dogs were having and reacting to, and helped each owner see how to improve the situation.  I wish you could get him to come to your apartment. 

Your neighbors are probably decent people, but lazy, busy, defensive and in denial.  No fun for you.  I am so sorry you have to deal with this.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would complain to the management and to the police about the Jack Russell being let outside loose. I know people hesitate to do that because they feel the person will retaliate in some way, but it's outrageous that this dog is allowed out to chase and attack people, and it needs to stop.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think you're making the right move...here's hoping they respond before you have to take it to the next level.  You shouldn't have to live like this and your community's management has a responsibility and clearly lots of liability.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Have you considered complaining to the local Animal Control?  In NC they will warn people when their dog is a nuisance and then fine them.  Surely and unrestrained dog that bites and chases your husband and attacks your dog, would be considered a nuisance.  Here you don't even have to give your name to issue a complaint.

[Teri & Clover]

I live in an apartment, too, so I don't think my opinion would be allowed on this site without censorship! :) But here is the PG version-- Why do I have to pay rent for my dog when she hasn't chewed a single thing, hasn't had an accident, and every last piece of poop has been properly disposed of? Meanwhile, the outdoors is covered in poop landmines and a certain miniature schnauzer barks at the window every time Clover walks by. Forget the fact that we lived here first! Okay, I feel better now, but this is about your apartment war... When I am having trouble with a dog, I bring super delicious snacks and have Clover "watch me" as I walk by pretending not to be bothered by the situation at all. I feel your pain and hope things get better as the new dogs settle in.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Oh this makes my blood boil - I would NOT handle this well - lol.  I think that you need to go over to your neighbors and introduce yourself and politely but firmly explain the "issues".  I would let them know exactly what the problems are.  I would let them know that if their dog bites you or your dog, if they let their dog(s) run lose, out of their control, that you will call the police and animal control.   I would also go to the apartment management and express your displeasure.  People can be so rude and selfish and have no concern for the rights of others.  I would try to above while I looked for a complex that takes the rules more seriously - I know of places that are very strict - look for one of those.  Good luck to you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This sounds very promising. I'm glad the management company is aware of the issues and are taking action.

I agree, I hate breed specific laws, too, but in this case, they work in your favor.