So, how do I "encourage" a dog to stay away from my property?

[Bettacreek]

I have my birds down in the unfinished part of our basement. We have a huge barn-style door, which I open to let natural sunlight in. My birds are at the age where they should start laying, so I've been increasing the light expsure (natural and light bulb), and added hiding areas. Unfortunately, the neighbor's beagle found our house. He had originally come through the basement and came up to the main part of the house and was eating out of Raven's (our dog) dishes. That's actually when I found it. It was one of those "what?!" moments, lol. Anyways, I booted him out, and he went back to the neighbor's house. They were all outside, and hadn't noticed that their dog had disappeared. Then, I was trying to finish up my cages when I heard the darn dog howling. He, of course, had to have found my button quail, and was actually in my basement, howling and scaring the crap out of the buttons. So, of course, they'll be set back at least an extra week from laying. Stupid dog. Now, I've closed everything up, brought the rabbits in and everything, but cannot get this stupid dog to leave. They had all gone back inside (and left their dog outside, missing?!). I really don't want to run over there and cause problems, because I know that our dog has been a total pain in the butt to other people, when she went through the stage of not listening to me and running away. So, what are ways that I can teach this dog that this house is no fun?

 

[redhen]

You gotta talk to the neighbors...a beagel will keep coming back. Stubborn little things...

 

[MagsC]

Hmmmm.....mouse traps across the entrance?? (If your birds cant get to them of course,lol)
Seriously though, talk to the neighbors first. If they arent cooperative about their dog, then take further steps.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Beagles are really bad about running off. I would suggest that you mention that they get an underground fencing system in order to keep the dog contained. Mention what you caught him doing and it would be rather costly to replace birds if he was to kill some of your birds.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

You really need to speak with your neighbor and follow the same rules with your own dog as you expect the neighbor to follow.

 

[Lollipop]

I spoke to my neighbors several years ago and told them their dog had been trying to get my birds. I also said I had other predator broblems and I would be setting out some poison on a regular basis. Told`m I didn`t want anything to happen to their pet, but whatever was getting my birds was about to stop. No problem, the dog was controlled........Pop

 

[Bettacreek]

Quote:
On Friday, we're buying the stuff to make a fence for our front yard for the dog (and the kids). Unfortunately, the fence would not keep this dog out of our back yard, which, just so happens to be where the rabbits are, as well as the door to our basement. We can't fence the back yard. We also curbed the straying behavior of our own dog. As I had said, this is why I don't wish to cause problems for these folks, because I do understand that it takes time to re-teach a dog.

I think if the dog returns, I will walk it back home, and politely mention that I will be putting up "deterrants", and that my birds are very expensive and dogs bothering them is likely to kill them. It is, in fact, true, since buttons are such flimsy little birds, they really can die from stress from predators. The neighbors, I'm sure, won't believe me, but, even if they look at me as a total arse, hopefully it'll still get them to keep the dog away from us. Thanks guys! It is actually a nice dog, seems friendly enough, but, a beagle is a beagle.

I really didn't have an issue with it being around the rabbits (since they didn't mind, and he wasn't being aggressive), but do worry about him spooking the birds.

 

[ivan3]

In through the basement, out through the front door on the way to the pound. Give them the number and let them know you didn't tell Animal Control, that it tried to bite you, this time...

Just a reminder to those with loose dog problems: the dog ALWAYS turns on YOU when you get between it and your birds (no exceptions), regardless of how you decide to handle the situation. Poultry stressed out/wounded/killed by dogs don't rate for much in the larger/legal scheme of things (small claims at best), or make a dent in some `dogger's' indifference.

It is legal, just about everywhere, to simply retire the vermin from the target pool if it is after humans. Who is to say that it didn't try to come after you, in your backyard? Or, in this situation, in the house.

 

[Bettacreek]

Hmm. I had someone knocking on my door asking if I had a beagle... I said that there was a beagle here after my birds. They said that they had it and couldn't find the owners. I pointed in the direction of where it came from (3-4 doors down), and they said that they lived down there! The dog had come from their place to mine. So, apparantly, it's a townie's dog. Hopefully I'll never have to deal with this dog again.