Neighbor and dogs ... what to do

[Boyd]

an electric fence in an area where your dogs or chooks run would be fast, easy an inexpensive. I bought a 2 mile fence charger for $22 at TSC, a spool of 14 ga wire for 17$, and plastic posts that don't need insulators for $2 apiece. I can literally run my wire every 4" in height up to 5'. So for the cost of a cup of coffee............................

 

[Mattemma]

I think fencing is the best option too. All dogs can roam free and hopefully your animals will be safe.If I had to I would get rid of the dog and not say anything.People get mad over time even if complaints are minor,so I either tolerate or try to take care of things on my own now.

 

[PunkinPeep]

A couple of things come to my mind.

First, you said a couple of times that the two of you "came to an agreement," but when you describe it, it sounds more like, she told you what she wants, and you submitted because she was grumpy, and you didn't want to cause any bumps in the "cordial relationship". I seriously question how cordial it is.

Second, does your dog protect your chickens? Or does he just run with the neighborhood pack? If he's protecting your chickens, then you should have less to worry about.

About the chainsaw, i'm going to be frank. I live in the country, and we're not zoned. I can run any business i want to out of my property. If my business had to do with a chainsaw, i wouldn't give a dang what you thought about the noise as long as i wasn't doing it during sleeping hours. And i don't think you have any business causing a fuss about that. Didn't you say there are 10 acres between you? How loud could it be?

One more thing. If you're dead set against getting a fence, there's a lot to be said for clearly drawn verbal boundaries between neighbors. We don't have a fence (YET) between us and our neighbors. But when their pit bull chewed through her rope and came after my chickens, i marched over to their house, looked the owner in the eye, and said, "If she comes after our chickens again, my husband will shoot her, and i don't want that to happen." After that, the neighbor put her on a chain she couldn't chew through. He knows where we stand. We make it really clear. And even though, we're not exactly chummy, we can keep the peace because our invisible boundaries are drawn clearly. And those kind of fences make pretty good neighbors too.

I'm all for friendly neighborhood/community relations and letting the dogs roam together (although for me, that's completely counterproductive if your dog's job is to protect your chickens), but when it comes down to it, if my chickens are off of my property, and something gets them, that's my fault. But if your dog is on my property, and he/she goes after my chickens, that's your fault, and i will protect my investment. I worked too stinking hard for healthy chickens and a growing flock to have a grumpy neighbor's aggressive dog ruin it for me because i want to "keep the peace."

If my dog goes after someone else's chickens (or whatever) on their property, i won't blame them for shooting her either. Fair is fair.

I think you need to stand up for yourself as to the dogs (that whole thing about you being responsible for puppies from her wandering in heat dog is ridiculous) and as to the protection of your chickens. And if you don't want a fence, well then, you've got to know what the consequences will be and lump it.

 

[CTChickenMom]

There is only so much you can do to keep the peace. Your neighbor seems inclined to do as she pleases, i.e. letting her *itch run loose, and not expecting consequences. Protect what's yours, don't give her a reason to blame you for anything. We can't always be friends with our neighbors but we can keep things neutral.

Even though there may be 10 acres between you and your neighbor, no one said you had to fence all 10 acres. 1 dog and even 100 chickens don't need that much space. Give them 2-3 acres and that should be plenty.

You came to us asking for help and we have given you many ways to fix or alleviate some of the problems with your neighbor. If you aren't willing to try any of them then we can't help you anymore. Sometimes it's a lost cause, trying to keep social relations with our neighbors. You have to be willing to step up to the plate. Let your neighbor know that your going to protect what's yours, no more nice nice. Fence a section of your yard, keep your critters on your side of the fence be it wire or wood. I guarantee that if your dog gets bit once by an electric fence, that will be the end of him leaving the yard. You can't have everything. Tell your neighbor your putting up a fence to keep your chickens in and to keep your dog from getting hers pregnant (if she isn't already).

Part of responsible dog (or cat) ownership is making sure your animals are fixed. We already know your neighbor isn't responsible letting her girl run loose while in heat. By letting your dog run with hers, you are asking for trouble. If you want to have some of his offspring, find another collie and get it done. The longer you hang on the fence about it the more trouble you could face.

Please, we're not trying to be bossy with you but are trying to offer genuine solutions. You have nothing to loose.

 

[horsejody]

Her dogs are a problem for you, and your dogs are a problem for her. It sounds like nobody is taking responsibility for their pets. It's your responsibility to keep your dog on your property, and it's her responsibility to keep her dog on hers. You and the neighbors can either find a way to keep the dogs home or continue using the area as one big dog park with all nuisances and hazards that go with it. Loose dogs are never a good idea. Personally, I would confine my dog to the yard and shoot hers if it came after my chickens. This neighbor is not your friend, and you are not hers. Do the right thing and keep your dog in your yard and let her bear the burden of the her own consequences if she doesn't confine hers. I don't want to sound unkind, but, if a person can't keep their dog on their own property, they really shouldn't have a dog. It's all about responsibility. Loose dogs are a danger to themselves and others. They not only harrass other animals, but they can also cause deadly traffic accidents (even in very remote, rural areas).

 

[herfrds]

VT we have a neighbor who is treating some of our land like his own private hunting preserve and telling all his hunters that they can use it too. When I was telling you to fence, it comes from personal experience. Our new fence is going up this spring. Also contacted a lawyer to find out what we could legally do. Neighbor is also getting certified letters telling him what is what. Also got the county attorney involved.

It is not fun, but sometimes you have to what you have to do to protect what is yours.

Sorry to say this but 10 acres is not much to fence, try 500 acres. I'm not looking forward to it.