Rant about neighbor

uno wrote:Good neighbourly relations are, to me, VERY important and I feel this takes work and restraint and consideration by all parties.

First and foremost is to make sure that your dog is NEVER doing what you don't want someone else's dogs to do. Yes, your dog might have wandered over because that's where the gang was headed and he just followed the gang to their house. The reason for your dog being there does not matter however. The fact that he is there after you've complained, eek, that's kind of bad.

Where we live here on these little acreages, all in sight of each other, dogs ARE a problem for chicken keepers (like myself). [color=red]SO this is how I deal with new neighbours or dog neighbours who let their dogs wander. I say, "I do not want my dog to be a problem to you. I want my own dog to stay home and if he ever shows up here PLEASE DO NOT BE NICE TO HIM! Pick up a stick or rock or brick and thump him and make sure he knows he is NOT WELCOME at your house! And if your dogs show up at my house and harrass my livestock I will open fire on them with the paintball gun. The paintball gun will not kill them, but it will hurt like hell. I do not want to shoot anyone;s dog in a way that will cause real injury or harm, but I WILL impress upon your dgos that hey better NOT show up at my house."

By telling your neighbour to go ahead and kick your dog's ass, it takes some sting out of telling them that you are going to open fire on their dogs. Fair is fair. It shows that your dog is held to the same standard you expect of theirs. You can even ofer to loan them the paintball gun to shoot your own dog with if needed![/color=red]

It sounds like things are tense and uncomfortable already. THat is too bad. At this point it would take a big act of humility to call neighbour and say "We have gotten off on the wrong foot here. I really do not want to shoot your dogs, but I can't have them in the turkey pen. Can you think of something I could do that would scare your dogs or discourage them from coming here?" This approach sounds like you are owning their responsibility for their dogs. But not really. What you are doing is graciously and tactfully creating an opportunity for them to not be hostile, not be defensive, not feel attacked. It gives them the chance, if they have any grace themselves, to respond with a considered and more neighbourly response. It's you offering an olive branch and you hope they are good enough people to take it.

You could say something like "I have friends who have shot at dogs with rock salt. It doesn't kill them but it burns and scares them. Do you know anything about that? HAve you ever used salt in a gun? I don't even think we have a gun for shooting salt..." Again, an opportunity for them to do some problem solving with you and even if they have nothing to add, perhaps your kindness and grace will prompt them to keep a better eye on their dogs. And if not, if the dogs are still a problem, then you are free to do whatever you must, knowing that you went above and beyond the call of duty in attempting to resolve this problem peacefully and with no dogs being harmed.