Ask a Pets Blogger: Good Neighbor

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

19 May 2009 12:09 PM

I recently moved into a new condo in the same neighborhood, and my new neighbor is not a fan of big dogs. Of course I have two big dogs! My new neighbor has always been very outspoken about how dangerous large dogs are (he owns a small dog). I'm not sure how to keep the peace here, and I don't want this guy hassling me.

You may have a difficult task on your hands -- trying to convert a person who doesn't like big dogs. But that doesn't mean it's impossible to keep the peace between you and your neighbor (or your neighbor and your dogs).

Here are a few things, off the top of my head:

1. Is your yard fenced? If it isn't completely fenced in, you may want to invest in that. With a securely fenced yard, there's less chance of your dogs making a break for it and giving your neighbor a reason to be angry.
2. Do you go out in the yard with your dogs, or just let them out to run around? Going outside with your pups to supervise may help keep your neighbor calm. Plus, if you're always outside with the dogs, you can keep an eye on what they're doing and nobody can accuse them of misbehaving. If you're not out there, you don't know what they're getting into...
3. Have you taken your dogs to obedience school? Maybe showing off your dogs' repertoire of tricks will help reassure your neighbor that your big dogs are well behaved. You may also want to think about getting their CGC -- Canine Good Citizen certification.
4. Make sure your dogs are up to date on all their shots and registered in your town -- don't give your neighbor something else to worry about.
5. If your neighbor is worried about the big dogs being dangerous to his little dog, you could suggest a supervised introduction? Maybe the smaller dog could meet your dogs one at a time, with everybody on leashes for control.

If you have an otherwise friendly relationship with this neighbor, you may want to ask about why he doesn't like big dogs. Maybe he had a bad encounter with a big dog once, or maybe he is just intimidated by the size? If he owns a dog of his own, he can't be a total pup-hater. Try to find some common ground in your mutual love of dogs -- that may go a long way to help keep the peace. Good luck!

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Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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