About three weeks ago, I heard an unfamiliar bark in my yard. I went out to investigate and there she was - a very beautiful yet scary pitt bull that did not like that I had stepped out into my own yard. I thought she could have been a stray, but she was too well fed for that, and then found he belongs to my neighbor's son.
My neighbor Bill is a great guy. He's always there if you need him and doesn't mind asking for help if he needs it, too. Never had a problem with him at all. He puts up with my dogs (they don't charge at him, though) and always has a kind word for Queen Teddy, the yard cat. And..he doesn't mind my dogs because they stay on their side of the fence.
Well, Bill is seldom home, and to shorten this story, I decided to gain the dog's trust. It wasn't working. She charged at me every time I stepped outside. And foolish me, I just stood still. Frankly, I was afraid moving too fast would only incite her to the unthinkable.
I talked to her. Every now and then I had to chase her away from the cat, but that had to be done. She eventually started coming closer and I decided to lay in wait for Bill to come home (don't have his unlisted number) and ask him to put her in a kennel.
Wouldn't you know it...
Today when I got home, she came running like she always does. Spike and You were getting there hello pats and she charged right in the middle..and licked my hand. Apparently, You thought she was taste-testing, because he chased her away with bared teeth and lots of growls. But she came back..and this time, she let me pet her. An hour later, she went back to barking, charging and running circles around me.
I'm still very leary of her. I believe You would protect me if I needed it, but..I wouldn't trust her with my grandkids outside. I wonder why people bother to have pets that they don't socialize? And even more, I wonder why people have a breed that's known to be dangerous (although I've encountered pitts that were big babies) and let it run free? I guess Bill and I will have to talk.
5 comments:
We had to sign a paper with our homeowners insurance company that we do not own certain kinds of dogs, pitt bulls being one of them. I know a lot of people say they are great pets (never had one) but we also see on the news about children being mauled by them at times. Kind of poses a problem when its a neighbor. Hope he understands. Paula
Unfortunately fences do make good neighbors. I wish we had done that when we first moved into our house. My son had been playing for months at a next door neighbors house (when he was about five). I didn't know it but they got a chow at the pound, man that dog was mean it took a dislike to my son...latched onto the front of his chest and wouldn't let go. That was a day I would like to forget. Please make your neighbor restrain his dog, especially if your grandbaby is around...they really go for smaller animals and kids. My son still hates dogs to this day, which is a shame I love them. But you are right the neighbors did not think, they did not try to socialize the dog just hit it everytime it did something wrong which made it meaner. Have a great Christmas filled with love...love, Sandi
I don't like the sound of this. If you feel "leary" there's a reason. Please be careful and talk to Bill as soon as possible! Hugs, Martha
It's not exactly the breed of the dog, rather the owner who is always at fault. If you don't socialize your dog, love them, teach them different, all of them would be as mean as a pit given the chance. I agree talk to Bill, if the dog acts like it's going to charge you, it may instinctively just go after the cat.
Pickles is a working dog, but she is shy as can be. Yet when something worries her or she feels I'm in danger, I've heard that low growl that starts out small and rises to almost a roar in her chest. I have no doubt she would protect me in the instance I was in danger. (Hugs) Indigo
That would have been very scary. I'm glad she seems to be friendly to you and doesn't act aggressively toward the other dogs, but you definitely will have to have a talk with your neighbor. We had a stray turn up this week, and I don't think he's going anywhere.
Lori
Post a Comment