And the saga continues. I went over today and had a long talk with the mom and dad both. Last night my daughter came over and we both took the dogs out for a walk. She had Max and Jake and I had Cody. Luckily, I put the prong collar on Jake and a slip chain on Max, to make them easier to control together. They both walk much faster than Cody and like to run, when we get to the ballfield, where there is grass. When I opened our overhead garage door to go out, the neighbor's pomeranian, yes, same neighbor, is in our driveway and comes running up barking and growling at us and the dogs. Needless to say, all 3 dogs hit the end of their leashes, barking, growling, lunging, trying to get to the dog. I am sure in their minds, we were being threatened in our own garage. We held them back and I started yelling for the neighbors to come get him. He would not back off and came inside the garage. I managed to pick Cody's front feet up off of the ground, so I could pull him back and grab a broom. By shaking it at the pom and slowly walking towards him, still holding Cody up, I got him out of the garage. Finally, one of the neighbors heard me and called him. He left, after peeing on the jeep tire and the bushes at the end of the driveway. Needless to say all three of my dogs had to anoint the tire and bushes repeatedly to reassert their ownership of their property. I put Cody back in the house and went over to their house. They would not come to the door. So, today I went over when I saw them outside. I calmly explained that I could not allow this to continue and I did not understand why they did not understand the danger of letting their little Pom run around loose. They have a fenced backyard, where he could run around and do his business. Why won't they either put him out there or walk him on a leash in front? They replied that they have not mowed the back yard in a while and he doesn't like the tall grass. I offered to mow it for them every few weeks, if they will put him out there. The father asked why my dogs would go after his if they are not dog aggressive. I explained that my dogs are territorial and protective. They see another animal in their yard and house as a threat, especially when it is growling and barking at me and them. My dogs will be registered in the county, as dangerous dogs, if they hurt or kill this dog, even though it comes in our garage, if the door is open and on our property. I explained that I reported their dog a few months ago for chasing and nipping my 2.5 year old grandson, when he was in my driveway. I also explained that they are forcing me to report them again for still letting their dog run loose. I am not trying to hurt them or their dog, but I cannot allow mine to be hurt through their actions. I think they finaly understood and said they would not let him out loose anymore. The father apologized for the incident with his son and said they are not letting him play in the back yard alone anymore. We will see how this works. I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Kathy