Bad dog or bad neighbor?

[Fluffy]

Everytime Lora takes BJ out, she has to go between our two houses to get to the back yard. This errupts mass chaos in my house. The weiners don't feel that they have "the right" to walk in between the houses, and go BONKERS. Barking, and clawing at the door and making a HUGE rukus until they are gone. Now that the weather is warmer, its even worse w/ the doors and windows open. When possible, I will hurry up and close the door to avoid as much noise from them as possible, however they still make a huge fuss. Lora thinks its HILARIOUS and it really pisses me off! She's not the one that the other neighbors will be complaining about!! Not to mention the fact that I have caught her ON SEVERAL occasions sitting on my porch, talking on her cell phone whilst BJ does his buisness. It wouldn't be that big of a deal, if my dogs didn't go absolutely crazy. Last night when I got home from the store, there she was, sitting on the porch while my poor babies were going absolutely nuts. I could hear them barking before I even got out of the car. Now, this morning, she went by and Heidi was being her normal jumping at the door self (before I could get to it to close it). She must have landed wrong and stoved her leg a little bit. She yelped and limped around for a few seconds, and then she was ok. I did look her leg over, put a little pressure on it and it was not bothering her at all so I think she is just fine, HOWEVER....it could have been a lot worse!! I do not know what to do about the neighbor's lack of respect OR my dogs obnoxcious behavior!! I'm afraid they are really going to get hurt one of these times!! Not to mention all the noise and commotioin they are making!! I don't know what to do to keep them from "protecting their territory." Once again, Heidi is the instigator. She really doesn't like BJ at all, and often times I think she doesn't like Lora either. She is not quite as bad when Joel is out w/ Stormer, but then again they don't have to walk between the houses. And yes, if other people walk through, they do go crazy all though not quite as bad. Please help me!! I can't stand the thought of having to hibernate w/ my windows and doors locked all summer!!!!

[Jen]

I hate to say it but I think some training is in order for your two. Do they ever quiet on command? We trained Tasha on that one and she's pretty good. You may need the help of a spray bottle of water to assist you at first. But I think that's the best solution all around--teaching them quiet on command and making sure you enforce it EVERY time the dog and owner go by your place (when you're home).

[Fluffy]

"Quiet" DID work with Buddy until we moved here...I used the penny jar and a QUIET w/ him (he's TERRIFIED of the penny jar). I will get a squirt bottle today when we run errands. Also, I've heard that mixing a bit of vinigar in with the water will help too (Buddy will just open his mouth and drink the water), but I was unsure if that was safe or not??

[Chris]

Why does your neighbor have to sit on your back porch? Do you live in a duplex or townhouse?

While I think a little training is in order, I also think that your neighbor needs to stay off of your porch. If she thinks that what Heidi is doing is "funny" she is not only mean spirited but she is encouraging Heidi's behavior by rewarding her by laughing at her, or saying anything at all in an encouraging voice or even drawing attention to Heidi.

To me anyways, it is so hard to train a dog when you can't seem to cut off the positive reinforcement.

I don't know how well it would go over if you explained to your neighbor to not be so encouraging. I am assume that it won't.

[Chris]

Vinegar stings their eyes and doesn't smell so good.. The theory is that they will remember that low sting and it will work faster

[Helen]

I mix vinegar in the spray bottle, but I never spray him in the eyes. He just doesn't like the smell. I always spray him on his body somewhere, not near the face. That works well enough for us.

I think that you need to work on Buddy and Heidi. Pretty much no matter where you live, there will always be people walking by your house at one time or another.

But, I agree that sitting on your porch is crossing the line, so I would talk to her about that.

Good luck!

[Tex]

I agree with all the ideas mentioned already, but especially talking to your neighbor.....it kinda parallels our household right now.....I'm reading Cesar's book and trying to apply some of his techiniques and then John comes in and undoes everything! It's about to drive me crazy.......so I feel ya. I say talk to your neighbor in a calm and friendly manner and explain the situation, if she gets rude or won't cooperate, call JanUet, she'll fix her!

[laura]

I think you should talk to your neighbor too...she should not sit on the porch and if she could find another way to walk the dogs it would be ...well, neighborly!

[samandissy]

I think you should do all of the mentioned suggestions, but I would get a mat that is very uncomfortable to sit on. You know those really stiff brushed ones or with broken glass and spikes.. That would at least keep her bum off the porch.

[Frzframe]

but mine bark their fool heads off at the neighbors who are behind their fence. I've worked with Mitzi and Dudley a lot to keep from going crazy or having the neighbors get upset (they are very nice by the way). I've done the quite route and when they didn't listen then they had to come inside which they hate. They've been pretty good since I got the anti-barking collar and will listen to me even better and will quite down when I tell them to. If they don't then I bring out the collar for a refreasher course in manners and it only takes one time wearing it to remind them to be good outside. :)

[Chris]

I forgot about collars.

A citronella collar worked very well for Alex.