Well, its finally happened...

Lexxsmom · 04-08-2008, 07:40 PM

Not having a big solid fence has finally come to haunt me...

today I put lexx out to pee ( i will note, firmly tied on his line, one designed for 1000plus pounds) and my neighbour was in his driveway. I would like to note that his driveway is a good 450m from my house and where lexx is tied.

Lexx started barking, so i immediately went outside and shushed him.. my neighbour turned to look at me and said " if that dog ever comes over here i'll f*ing KILL him, that dog is dangerous and you should be required to have a fence with him"

( for the record, i agree with the fence part, we are putting one in this year, the ground JUST thawed out)

I replied, he's securely tied, he always is. He will not hurt you.

but honestly, it shook me up... how could he threaten to KILL my dog? Is there anything that i can do other than put up a fence ( which i was going to do anyways?)

**BlackandTans** · 04-08-2008, 07:44 PM

O MY WORD!! Sorry you had to hear that!! I have had people threaten my dogs as well but not as bad. I would say fence ASAP and not much else you can do right now if the neighbor is going to have that attitude. Just fence and try to keep Lexx away from them!! Holy cow!!!

Linda H · 04-08-2008, 07:48 PM

Well it depends on what kind of person he is. Is he a normally amicable person you would talk to? If he is and Lexx is friendly I would first ask him if he would meet Lexx and if he agrees to that, take Lexx over to meet him or BETTER bring him over on your property and let him meet Lexx.
If you can't talk to him, stay away and report his threat to the police and local HS.
Also get the fence up asap, but I know you will anyway.

**Colorado Dobes** · 04-08-2008, 07:52 PM

I agree with Linda, and if you don't report it, at the very least document it. Keep it for your records in case you have problems with him in the future. Gosh, what a JERK!

Dobemom2b · 04-08-2008, 07:56 PM

Police will do nothing over a threat. You can make sure Lexx is always supervised while outside until the fence is complete, buy a premade chainlink run as a temp safe area or just be with him. Put a video recorder where lexx is tied to, sams club has a wisecom ($30) color night vision camera that works with your tv and vcr where you can monitor him from inside if needed. Videos make great documentation.

I would not rub salt in the wound if this person is not overly friendly, the sneaky ones start putting things in your yard you do not want your dog to have. Probably would not hurt to walk the area of his chain length to make sure the yard has nothing tossed in it to harm him. You have to watch it now days,,,, you always see the neighbors say 'we had no idea, he was always so polite' on the news after they go over the edge....

Lexxsmom · 04-08-2008, 07:58 PM

The information is documented, date, exact time and exactly what was said. I'm not standing for my beautiful dog being threatened.

I know that he is scared of lexx because he has told me previously. lexx got out past me once at ( ready for this!) 11 weeks old, and trotted over to say hi ( with me running after him!) the guy literally JUMPED behind a garbage can and cowered. I apologized profusely. Poor lexx, he didn't even jump, he just sat there, nubbin going, wondering why the big human friend was behind that weird box thing...

I've offered to let him meet lexx, he wants no part in it. I don't really know what to do...I thought that we got along, but I guess NOT. I can see lexx barking being a little annoying, but he never barks for long, i always go right out and he's just learning to be protective and hasn't learned where his property ends, he's only 11 months for god sakes, he's only a baby!
plus, i should add, they own a spaniel and she barks ALL THE TIME
needless to say the fence building is starting this weekend. I was going to go with chain link, but i think a big solid wooden fence is in order for that side of the yard. We have the WORST yard to fence, its going to be really hard to do and really expensive ( its almost an acre, and there is nowhere that we can cut it in the middle without ruining the landscaping ( pond etc)).

oh sigh... i was having a good day too....

**BlackandTans** · 04-08-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda H

Well it depends on what kind of person he is. Is he a normally amicable person you would talk to? If he is and Lexx is friendly I would first ask him if he would meet Lexx and if he agrees to that, take Lexx over to meet him or BETTER bring him over on your property and let him meet Lexx.
If you can't talk to him, stay away and report his threat to the police and local HS.
Also get the fence up asap, but I know you will anyway.

I second this but since he is already saying things like he is going to kill your dog he probably will not be a very approachable person. You can try to approach him but be prepared for the worst too. He already sounds like a complete jerk and you probably wont have my luck just talking to him. If you report your threat to the police they will probably tell you the same thing that you need to get a fence up ASAP so I would do that and then if it does not stop report it! GEEZE!! Some people!

bruss01 · 04-08-2008, 08:00 PM

I doubt your dog would ever pose a threat to a neighbor on their own property.

However, some people have a phobia about dogs or about certain breeds of dogs. Some of those people have guns. I can picture someone (however unjustifiably) thinking their life is in danger if a big powerful dog with the ability to rip their throat out comes rushing at them or at their children... even if, in the dog's mind, the dog just want's to run up, wag tail, and give a big slobbery kiss to a new friend. If that dog is a doberman, I don't know that there will be much that the law would be able to do to prosecute the neighbor. He could probably tell a convincing tale that the dog was "going for" him.

My guy is the biggest sappy luv-puppy in the world. Still, he scares the bejezus out of some folks just because he is a big dog and, well, a doberman. Heck, my 55lb wiggle-butt mutt used to scare some people senseless, for NO reason, it was just an attitude about dogs, any dog.

I understand, you're not me... but I would have calmly walked over to that neighbor and said "Y'know, friend, my dog would never hurt you unless you came on our property or antagonized him in some way. And BTW, you're not the only one with guns on this block and anyone who shoots my dog is going to have ME to deal with. And anyone who shoots me is going to have my wife to deal with and she's a better shot than I am and one really mean woman" YES I really would have said that. And YES I am equipped to back that up! And so is she!

There are some lines you just don't cross. And that right there is one of them.

**BlackandTans** · 04-08-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexxsmom

I was going to go with chain link, but i think a big solid wooden fence is in order for that side of the yard. We have the WORST yard to fence, its going to be really hard to do and really expensive ( its almost an acre, and there is nowhere that we can cut it in the middle without ruining the landscaping ( pond etc)).

oh sigh... i was having a good day too....

We have a tall solid wood fence and if you can do that I would say that that is the best but chain link is better then nothing right now at this point....

**Colorado Dobes** · 04-08-2008, 08:08 PM

I agree with checking your yard to make sure he doesn't throw anything that could harm Lexx in there, like rat poisoning or something. And the sooner that fence goes up, the better!