neighbors dog is threatening and loose

Just out of curiosity- is the back yard fenced?

Yes, it seems to be.

talk to the owner. if you're in fear for your childrens safety, i dont care how shy you are, they should give you the strength you need to approach the owner. i think calling animal control/police w/o talking to the owners first might make hard feelings. I know i'd be mad if someone called on me w/o trying to talk to me first.

especially since we all dont know the dog in question, and we have no idea if it's just an overly excited friendly bark or not. My dogs when they play, to the untrained eye, most people would think they were attacking each other because of the noises they make.

give the owner a chance.. if all else fails, there are other options.

another option would be, maybe take your son to a park to ride his bike. i wasn't allowed to ride in the road until I was 14, even if my mother was right there with me lol, the driveway wasn't as much fun. but my mother made sure she kept me safe..

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Originally Posted by palmer

If he is out in the front yard and we (my son, two small dogs, myself) walk by, the dog (a golden retriever) lunges at us barking visciously and snarling. He is not playin' around. Almost everytime this has happened, an adult is in the yard with him. She calls his name repeatedly, sort of laughs, says, "He won't hurt you! His name is Buddy! Just call him by his name...." She's having to yell over the commotion... At first I was pretty good natured about it. After all, I have a little bad-ass, too, only she is small and leashed and I have control. Anyway, this has happened at least three times over the last week. It is apparent that this dogs owner does not control him nor does she take his behavior very seriously. I am becoming concerned. I have an eight year old son who is learning to ride a bike (I know, a little late:)) and he needs to feel safe. (He's like the family safety officer:)) When I first moved to this neighborhood I learned to avoid walking in front of this house because the dog would stand in the road growling and barking with teeth bared. Now I need to use this area because there is less traffic. Any advice?

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You should most definitely speak to the owners, because I bet they have no idea that the dog's behavior is even offending you or making you uncomfortable at all. Definitely speak to them (don't write a letter, it can be misconstrued by them) in person and voice your concerns. Ask them to keep the dog on a leash, or be with the dog when he's outside. You should definitely inform them that the dog's behavior is making you worried for your child, and I'd be willing to bet that they'd make appropriate changes.
I wouldn't recommend calling the police or animal control or shooting or pepper spraying the dog when the neighbors don't even know you're concerns in the first place. That's just asking for bad blood between neighbors.

My landlord's dog is a bit outlandish with new people. I cuffed her with my hand Once (grabbed and squeezed the scruff of her neck pretty hard but not enough to cause serious damage.) She has never, ever jumped on me since.
That said; if this happened to me I would nip it in the bud. Get mad; yell, let your neighbor know that this can NOT happen. Someone is going to get hurt.. if your neighbor can't train her dog, someone needs to train her! Don't laugh along with her; that is just saying that you're fine with this all.

That it isn't charging you I would think that the dog may just be "defending it's territory"? I am wondering if maybe they have one of those underground electric fence systems around their yard that zaps the dog if it gets too close to it and she thinks that is enough to contain the dog?

From the sound of it the owner doesn't think her dog has any issues or doesn't get that your kid could be afraid of the dog and you might have concerns over the safety of the neighborhood with her dog on the loose and she might just need someone to point it out to her. :gj:

Wow, what a great group of folks you are... I am going to talk with her. I didn't today because stuff came up- probably go over tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for all the great comments!

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Originally Posted by palmer

I'm pretty sure his behavior is fear-based. I am very familiar with Cesar Milan, and as I've said before, I, by my self, maybe able to handle the dog. I don't have too much confidence in my ability to maintain calm energy with the owner(s) around... People kinda change my energy-know what I mean? Besides, what you're talking about is a longer term project that I am not up for. I suppose I could attempt standing in place out in the road and wait for the dog to retreat, but then the owners might report mefor my strange behavior.:P Even if I were successful with this technique, it doesn't guaruntee my sons safety, does it?

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Well, if you are successful, the dog should have more respect for you and just be more accepting of you. It should recognize that you won't tolerate it messing with your son any more than you tolerated it messing with you.

I totally understand what you mean by thinking you might be able to handle the dog but not the owner. And in that case, I wouldn't try it, or as you said, if you just don't want that big of a project.

No matter what, talking with the owner should be the first step, and I see you are going to do that tomorrow. I hope it goes well for you!