Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 4/8/2008

Question
I live in an old neighborhood where the houses are pretty close together.  My neighbor's dog is very aggressive and always bothers us everytime we enter our own house.  It barks very loudly, and approaches the fence.  Most of the time if I approach the fence it will back away but no doubt keep barking.  They also own an English Bulldog that is quite sweet.  A few times I have went into their back yard to pet the bulldog and the larger dog (looks kind of like a mastif?) is curious and will get really close, and even touched me once, but then always jumps away startled and barks like mad for awhile, even when I don't move an inch.  Anyway, my question is this.  Is there anything I can do to win the dog's affection and/or trust so it stops harassing my wife and me?  My neighbors are not territorial and have me no problem with me visiting their yard.  Thanks!

Answer
The larger dog appears to have been startled by your presence in his territory (I assume without the owner present?) and has developed a fear response to you.  I don't suggest your going into anyone's yard with their dogs loose unless you have been invited and the owner is present.  Not only are you trespassing onto private property,but you are also setting yourself up for a bite.  Should the dog bite you, your neighbors would be within their legal right to charge you with trespassing which would release their homeowner's insurance from any obligation.  Should you persist in going onto their property, the dog will most likely develop a stronger fear reaction to you.  It would take some time and the owners' cooperation for you to rehabilitate this problem, which you have created.

If your neighbor's dogs' behavior is bothering you, you might speak to the neighbor about it.  Most jurisdictions in established neighborhoods have noise ordinances which prohibit any dog from barking more than fifteen minutes.  Additionally, keeping dogs outside all day long (as your question suggests is being done by your neighbor) might also be in violation of local ordinances.  You can ask your local humane society about this. Perhaps your neighbor might be willing to introduce this dog to you, while he is on leash OFF his territory, so that you can establish a more amicable relationship with him.