HUGE problem - Page 3

Santa · 06-17-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faber

p.s. - maybe u could tell your neighbor, "Shut up...go back in your house...he got out by accident...he's just a dog... and everyone in the neighborhood hates you. Please move away!" Whata ya think?

Great idea, but I'm trying to look ultra-polite and respectable.

However, it's been a very interesting day - all the other neighbours have been round to us pledging support, saying she's mental (one even threatened to poison her for me! Personally I think it's a great idea but would only get me into more trouble

). These same neighbours have also contacted the village council saying she's a liar, and the council spoke to me today saying they are prepared to act on it for us and that she can't behave like that. They've also said they are going to the police to stand up for us - although I reckon maybe discretion is the better part of valour here! All this is good news and helps me feel much better - but nasty neighbour had a lawyer round for ages tonight and I know it had something to do with me - I was desperately trying to eavesdrop on what was going on but couldn't get close enough without being found out

People being so nice is very helpful but I'm still terribly stressed and upset about the whole thing.

Kimbertalkls · 06-17-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Santa

Zac escaped tonight. He was only out for about 10 seconds and came straight back when I called him but in the meantime my nasty neighbours saw him. He got out once before, 10 months ago, and they were fuming (not Doberman fans) and said if they saw him out again, they'd call the police. So, sure enough, tonight they called the police.

As it happens, the police were very nice and they understood that my neighbour was just being a bit of a cow, but Zac made things a whole lot worse - I brought the police over to meet him, to show them how UN-dangerous he is, and he went for the police!

I was holding onto him so it was fine, no damage done, not even a scratch, but it completely ruined my description of him as a soft and gentle dog. He NEVER goes for anyone, is completely soppy with strangers - and just to compound his misdemeanours, the whole time I was out there talking to the police, he was jumping against the door, barking, even growling!
He's fine now they've gone, all I can assume is that the uniforms freak him out.
Does anyone have any ideas what I can do about this? I can't have him terrorising policemen!

If you want to have a dog be wary of someone, hold on to him when the person approaches. It is the same as you grabbing your child as a stranger approaches. Watch out they are coming for you...is the signal you are giving. That was probably one of the problems.
The hat thing, also usually gets my dogs. Even if it is me they will growl when I walk in with something on my head so try borrowing a police hat and wearing it around him. When he is relaxed about it take him to where he can see them come and go but keep the leash loose so he is not getting a watch out signal.
Also, a great get the neighbor story..
I lived in Mass. many years ago and a friend had a malamute kennel with a new neighbor who hated howling. Anytime a siren went by 25+ malamutes howled and the neighbor called the cops who came over in the dark with lights on and of course, more howling took place. The fines got higher and my friend finally got his chance for revenge when he had to have his kennel painted and the exterminator out. All his dogs were elsewhere but he had taped the dogs at their best. About midnight my friend crept over to the neighbors and played the tape until all the lights went on. Then he went home and waited in the dark for the knock. Sure enough, the police came out and my friend, very indignantly said, "I keep telling you that the dogs don't make any noise until they see you out here but finally I have proof!" He led them out to the kennel which was stark empty and said all the dogs had been gone all week while the kennel was being cleaned. The police apologized and said that the hadn't known it was them making the dogs howl... Then the friend repeated the scene two hours later and then before 4 am and sat laughing when the neighbor was arrested for false reports. Three more citations over the weekend and the neighbor never called the police again. Sorry, had to share.

Santa · 06-17-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimbertalkls

If you want to have a dog be wary of someone, hold on to him when the person approaches. It is the same as you grabbing your child as a stranger approaches. Watch out they are coming for you...is the signal you are giving. That was probably one of the problems.
The hat thing, also usually gets my dogs. Even if it is me they will growl when I walk in with something on my head so try borrowing a police hat and wearing it around him. When he is relaxed about it take him to where he can see them come and go but keep the leash loose so he is not getting a watch out signal.
Also, a great get the neighbor story..
I lived in Mass. many years ago and a friend had a malamute kennel with a new neighbor who hated howling. Anytime a siren went by 25+ malamutes howled and the neighbor called the cops who came over in the dark with lights on and of course, more howling took place. The fines got higher and my friend finally got his chance for revenge when he had to have his kennel painted and the exterminator out. All his dogs were elsewhere but he had taped the dogs at their best. About midnight my friend crept over to the neighbors and played the tape until all the lights went on. Then he went home and waited in the dark for the knock. Sure enough, the police came out and my friend, very indignantly said, "I keep telling you that the dogs don't make any noise until they see you out here but finally I have proof!" He led them out to the kennel which was stark empty and said all the dogs had been gone all week while the kennel was being cleaned. The police apologized and said that the hadn't known it was them making the dogs howl... Then the friend repeated the scene two hours later and then before 4 am and sat laughing when the neighbor was arrested for false reports. Three more citations over the weekend and the neighbor never called the police again. Sorry, had to share.

Now that is a fab story. My tired little brain is now working out how I can adapt it to my situation - plus I just went and ordered two security cameras to watch the border between our two properties. She says he gets through into her garden (which is absolute crap, he does no such thing), well, now I'll have proof he doesn't and show her up for the liar he is. It'll also show how docile he is - people go in and out and up the road and he completely ignores it, never even barks. I also don't trust her in any way and wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised to start finding suspicious meat chucked over the fence. Hopefully it will make her think twice before misbehaving. Plus, I can't wait to see her face when she sees the cameras

hee hee!
Oooh, also worth a mention is that her husband isn't having anything to do with her vendetta - he went out yesterday when the police came and again tonight when her lawyer arrived and today apologised to us for her behaviour. What a bitch!

Santa · 06-17-2008, 05:13 PM

The police here don't actually wear hats and I wasn't holding him back at first. I expected him to be fine but just grabbed him when he lunged at the police - and he wasn't just being friendly. However, I am now very sure he was picking up on my stresses at the time, because he's been doing it ever since. He's had diarrhoea since (and frankly, so have I with this stress!) and last night wouldn't let me sleep, he insisted on being stroked and cuddled ALL night. He's also very sorry for himself. This should blow over fairly soon (please let it be so!

) and we can both get back to normal then.
BTW, thanks everyone for the support. It's great to have a place to vent where people understand.

**Like A Boxer** · 06-17-2008, 05:50 PM

I hope everything turns out okay, really, I do. Maybe you can ask the officers who came to come back one day in regular clothing? Or, for a very small fee, I can exterminate your neighbors........ just kidding

Just trying to make you laugh.

-JB.

**lyngr** · 06-17-2008, 06:03 PM

I think desensitizing the dog to a firefighter's uniform is a great idea.. how much more threatening can a uniform get then that big bulky thing?

I wouldn't worry too much over it.. I'm sure the officer realizes that alot of dogs spook over uniforms.

faber · 06-17-2008, 06:10 PM

That does it! ... We're all gettn on a plane and comin' to your place w/our dogs. Dobe party at your house!!! Yea!!!.... No the camera idea is a good one...especially sense you can destroy anyting that incriminates you, and keep anything that incriminates her... it's your camera.

MY69RS · 06-20-2008, 07:53 AM

I think getting animals used to uniforms it a good idea. You never know when one might come need to come out to help you one day. If you need help for some reason you dont want your pup keeping them away. Kinda counter productive. Im lucky enough to be on good terms with most of my neighbors and have introduce my pups to them for the purpose of avoding what your going through. I do think its in your best interest to have the police on your side just in case.

prophecy · 06-20-2008, 08:06 AM

i thought maybe you could buy a police officer halloween costume and wear it around the dog. so YOU look like a policeman. so hes not as afraid,as its you under there. give him praise for being a good dog when you wear it.

**MIA** · 06-20-2008, 09:59 AM

When I first got Mocha she went to the fire hall & police station for visits as she hated men in uniform! BUT keen in mind when the cops are working they are in work mode and may not be inclined to chill. I had an incident here and the dispatched told me to put away my dogs because the police would be in "police mode" and mocha would find that a threat. Really if the cops are coming to your home on business I would put the dog away.

My MinPin HATES cops LOL I got a ticket once and told the cop NOT to come to close to the car, and he put his arm in and Chopper nailed him!!!! LOL