# Steps to take for dealing with neighbor's aggressive dog? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 18, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171 "2013-09-18T19:46:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/21 "2013-09-19T01:54:30Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Pepper spray is indicated. +1 Aim at the eyes & keep spraying til it goes down. (Works on bad owners too, which 99 times out of 100 is the underlying issue.) ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/22 "2013-09-19T05:43:24Z")
> [@Frapp](#): > > The neighbors couldn’t care less. I’ve actually heard them in the yard once talking about it as such. Getting them a trainer would just be enabling their complete and utter laziness. Every one of them doesn’t work. They just collect from the state. Well, with the exception for one who works 15ish hour days if you include his commute. Move. Move yesterday. In the mean time go down to the auto store and buy a [T-handled tire repair tool](http://www.amazon.com/Victor-22-5-00106-8-Heavy-Tubeless-Repair/dp/B000AMOEGY/ref=sr_1_9?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1379569290&sr=1-9). If shit happens and the dog lunges at you feed him your arm for something to aim at then jam the pointed end of the tool in it’s throat. This is not a dog you want to lose a fight with. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2013, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/23 "2013-09-19T05:51:21Z")
this reminds me of a neighbor who had a pit bull. It would jump the fence and wait for me as I exited my garage. I kept a set of pruners next to the door. The owner didn’t give a shit. I spoke to him across the fence while the dog was actively jumping toward me and I was literally keeping the dog from clearing the fence by holding the pruners against it’s throat. Didn’t faze the guy one whit. He moved soon after. ---
**Author:** ![Semper\_Fido](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Semper\_Fido](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Semper_Fido)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/24 "2015-02-11T23:17:56Z")
Most of the advice given here, I’m guessing, are from people who’ve never dealt with an aggressive dog. Or even owned a dog and know how they think. I wonder why they bothered posting, unless they like they way their words look on the screen. Unfortunately, a very aggressive dog moved in across the street one day, and it came at me so fast, I didn’t have time to go get pepper spray. I could have either shot it, or blinded it by gouging its eyes out (it takes a mere 7 pounds of pressure). Sadly, the incident happened so fast, it was pure instinct, and I shot it. In hindsight, perhaps it was for the best. What kind of life would a blind dog have? But, the point is, if the dog comes at you, you can get to its eyes, and blind it. It will never bother you again. But I suggest carrying pepper spray, then calling the police. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/25 "2015-02-12T00:38:50Z")
killed a zombie dog ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/26 "2015-02-12T00:45:12Z")
This was posted on 09-18-2013, so I would think the OP got this taken care of by now. ---
**Author:** ![chacoguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/27 "2015-02-12T00:53:55Z")
> [@Semper\_Fido](#): > > I could have either shot it, or blinded it by gouging its eyes out (it takes a mere 7 pounds of pressure). [/FONT] How on earth would this test ever be allowed to take place? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/28 "2015-02-12T00:57:48Z")
First you need a dog . . . ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/29 "2015-02-12T01:18:43Z")
> [@Semper\_Fido](#): > > Most of the advice given here, I’m guessing, are from people who’ve never dealt with an aggressive dog. Or even owned a dog and know how they think. I wonder why they bothered posting, unless they like they way their words look on the screen. Oh, do tell us all. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/30 "2015-02-12T01:30:23Z")
> [@chacoguy](#): > > How on earth would this test ever be allowed to take place? Cadavers. And I may not have a cite, but I’m pretty sure that statement is bunk, anyway. (As someone who has indeed subdued many an aggressive dog.) ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/31 "2015-02-12T01:54:20Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Cadavers. And I may not have a cite, but I’m pretty sure that statement is bunk, anyway. (As someone who has indeed subdued many an aggressive dog.) I hear you. [Joe Isuzu] Hi! I’ve NEVER had a job that took me to different neighborhoods with unleashed aggressive dogs! No, they were just sweet lil puppy-kins that would stand up and dance if you whistled a happy tune! And those Nasty cans of pepper/mace? Why, they were never, ever used; what we used sprinkled Rainbows and Streamers! Oh, how the puppies Rolled with Glee! I’m sure Neckbeard-Judo would have SO scared them whimpering under their beds. And you know? That’s Mean! You Have My Word On It. [/Joe Isuzu] ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/32 "2015-02-12T02:09:09Z")
Documentation ----- its always the right call. Any chance of letting the owner know and have him interact with you and the dog? Most dogs automatically fall in love with me for some reason but one neighbor had this large mixed breed that just went nuts whenever I walked past. I set up with the owner that we took the dog to the park and all three played frisbee together. The dog was never totally friendly but at least after we did that a couple times he wasn’t aggressive either. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/33 "2015-02-12T16:08:10Z")
> [@Semper\_Fido](#): > > I wonder why they bothered posting, unless they like they way their words look on the screen. I like they way my words look on the screen. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/34 "2015-02-13T00:55:28Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I like they way my words look on the screen. I prefer how they sound in writing. But then again, I am a little odd like that. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/35 "2015-02-13T02:58:39Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Do you ever yell at the dog or act aggressively at it, or do you always act pretty scared and submissive with it? > > If you’re always feeling and acting scared, try asserting yourself and yelling in your loudest, deepest, yellingist voice. > > You can also consider carrying a stick (like a short broom handle or a paint roller extender) to protect yourself if you’re being lunged at. Hold it in both hands and basically clothesline the dog if it invades your space. You can also always knee it too, if it gets that close and jumps. I’'ll do that to my own dog (knee) when she is being wound up and agressive…it won’t hurt them. > > I’m not advocating that you reach out to the dog and poke it with a stick, swat it with a stick or antagonize the dog with a stick. Just defend yourself with it if it comes close enough. > > I’m sure there are better answers about how to control your neighbors or how to fix the situation as a whole, but trying to get the dog to stop harassing you (by yelling) and keeping yourself from being mauled is something you can do too. Do NOT do any of this. Yelling will make a dog looking for a fight sure that he has one. Just don’t do any of this. You can’t win a fight with an aggressive bully breed dog. DO get the authorities involved. Now would be a very good time. Video would be an excellent idea, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/36 "2015-02-13T09:38:24Z")
So, OP, how did the whole thing play out? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/37 "2015-02-13T18:19:47Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I like they way my words look on the screen. **Does this screen make my words look fat?** ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/38 "2015-02-14T00:17:08Z")
I use this company’s stationary ultrasonic bark stopper - they work. Have not used this particular product. > **[Good Life Inc – Humane bark control products & pest repellents in Amazon.](https://goodlifeinc.com/?id=4092&bc=no)** > > The best humane bark control products and pest repellents, now available on Amazon! Humane, non-shock solutions to control barking dogs. Prevent your neighbor’s dog from barking unnoticed, or train your own dog in a friendly, shock-free way. Discover... GoodLife OnGuard, $40 ---
**Author:** ![Lorene89095](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@Lorene89095](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorene89095)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/39 "2015-02-14T00:33:28Z")
Move,if you have not been killed by the dog from 2013 'til now ---
**Author:** ![Mortgage\_Lady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@Mortgage\_Lady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mortgage_Lady)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171/40 "2015-02-14T04:59:59Z")
Honestly, as a lifetime pitbull owner…they are protective & territorial. They also sense your body language which heightens the situation. You really should speak with your neighbors about doing meet & greets so you & the dog can develop a relationship. Bring some treats! Once the dog knows you’re not a threat you won’t even exist to them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steps-to-take-for-dealing-with-neighbors-aggressive-dog/669171.md?page=1)