Need help as non dog owner

[nomdegrrr1]

Next door but one have three pedigree English bulldogs that get out. They chased the man next door so that he had to jump over a fence to get away.

The yard the dogs are in is small and cluttered. I don't think that they get much training and I don't think that they get much walks. The gate is sometimes held together with string or propped up by wheelie bins.

I think that the dogs are sweeties by nature. And I know that their owner has their hands full. But I suspect that if they got out then they would see me as trespassing on their patch and chase me - and I am old, knackered and have iffy joints. I'd be a chew toy. I'm nervous about dogs as I was bitten on the face by a dog when I was little.

Can I ask for suggestions to deter the dogs if they get out and at me that doesn't hurt the dogs, please. I don't want to have a go at either dogs or owner, but I don't want to be a snack either. All help appreciated.

This works

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174138341264?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338364431&toolid=11000&_ul=UK&customid=Cj0KCQiAw8OeBhCeARIsAGxWtUx0qSiZZi2reZsTKtQwuxLfLHgbOGJEKN4YbjeVMVS6PvbTFc-556EaAmilEALw_wcB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAw8OeBhCeARIsAGxWtUx0qSiZZi2reZsTKtQwuxLfLHgbOGJEKN4YbjeVMVS6PvbTFc-556EaAmilEALw_wcB

@ToBeOrNotToBee Thank you. It doesn't hurt the dog, does it?

(I may be scared of them but I am a complete softy).

You could also try just throwing down some treats on the floor away from you. Anything will do but smelly the better so hotdogs cut into pieces. The more your throw the longer they will be distracted from you.

Many dogs will go to the treats which would give you time to calmly remove yourself from the situation.

I am sorry you are feeling unsettled in your own home. Are your neighbours the sort you could mention this too?

Are you talking about this type of dog? Because if so, I don't think you need to worry much, because they likely have so many breathing issues that they can barely run to the end of the drive.

I like the idea of giving them treats. I'll get some to keep with me.

What kind of relationship do you have with the owners, could you explain to them how you feel and that you are nervous around dogs. Maybe you could arrange to meet the dogs in the owners garden with them present.

I'm old, fat, knackered with an iffy knee. They chased the bloke next door so effectively that he lost them by jumping over a fence. I suspect that they'll outrun me.

There are a couple of slimish looking younger dogs. It broke my heart this morning because while I was effectively trapped in my car, they were getting so much pleasure in getting out of the garden.

It's not a brilliant relationship. And part of the problem is that I'm scared of the dogs who are in the yard and between me and the door I would need to knock on. I don't have any phone numbers or social media.

To be honest, I don't think that they believe it's a problem. It's a problem to me and my son, because we don't want to be bitten. It doesn't seem to register with them that their dogs might (a) bite and (b) do damage. They just say they can't help stuff because the gate is broken.

Their property is rented and the landlord doesn't have a brilliant reputation. We own and it would be currently tricky to move.

Not an expert but apparently running is the worst thing you can do. If they are trained they may sit if you tell them too. Throwing treats is a good suggestion I would talk to the owner and see if you can get to know the dogs might help?

It sounds like their needs, as dogs, aren’t being met OP. Recommend calling RSPCA. The RSPCA have a general advice and information line: 0300 1234 555

As a dog owner, their owner must make sure fencing is adequate and dogs cannot escape. You are worried that the dogs may chase you and you have already seen that they have chased a man - this means the dogs are out of control. Dog control

I know you are a self described softy, but please do the right thing for the dogs .

Stand your ground, look 'tall' and don't underestimate the power of an angry voice shouting at them. It does not hurt them but it does cross their minds that they are not welcome (which is their default).

If they are getting out frequently, this is a safety issue for the dogs. I would consider contacting RSPCA, who can help owners with advice and sometimes funding towards keeping animals safe and happy.

After all, legally, if a dog is "out of control" in public, such as making someone think they are at risk of injury (like your neighbour feeling eh had to jump a fence). They are breaking the law, so a friendly RSPCA officer offering advice and help may be needed. Feels harsh, but honestly, they do try to get owners' help rather than prosecute

Thanks for all the advice.

I've checked previously. The dog warden has been and had a word, which has no effect. The dogs are always eventually called off so not out of control, therefore the police aren't interested. I did ring the RSPCA but their recorded message was clear that it was absolute emergencies only.

I feel for both the dog and the owner. The owner has a lot on their plate, but I feel that the dogs are neglected. I'm not a dog owner, and I've never been around dogs, but they don't seem to cuddle them or fuss them or anything. My brother fosters dogs (he's not nearby) and he gives them all the cuddles and scritches they can take.

I think I'll go back to the RSPCA if it will get the dogs some help.

The RSPCA are awful and won't care about dogs occasionally escaping the garden but otherwise doing no damage. We have dogs around here who get out at least twice a day, the owners have been reported but because the dog is healthy and fed, they don't do a thing.

As long as they have food, water and shelter they really won't care, sadly.

Firstly, it's great to see you're dealing with this in a fairly calm manner.

The dogs shouldn't be getting out in the first place; you could consider calling the local authority dog warden about this. The most likely outcome is that they will get the owners to improve their fences.

Running is the worst thing you can do. With your dodgy joints, there's no chance you'll outrun them, and the "thrill of the chase" is a very real thing (see also: my dog who always chases squirrels and cats but slows down if he gets a bit too close because he doesn't know what to do next....).

Chances are they're running up to you because they're bored, and you're the most exciting thing in the vicinity. The best thing you can do is to be very, very boring. What do I mean by that? Stand still, turn your back on them (repeatedly if needs be), fold your arms and don't scream or shout. Basically, do your best impression of a tree. I've used this on everything from overfriendly dogs that jump up to barking ones which are less than friendly, and it's very effective. It's also very non confrontational so if the dog is unfriendly you will deescalate matters.

I know you're nervous about dog bites. I'm going to give you a bit of info so that if you ever did feel teeth, you're less likely to panic and make things worse. Firstly, all dogs when young will chew as part of a developmental stage; it's known as puppy biting and it's just like when toddlers go through a stage of sticking everything in their mouths. Most dogs stop doing this as adults, through a combination of growing up and training. Some continue a bit longer than they should; I used to have a neighbour with a free range dog who periodically gave my arm a gentle chew but meant nothing nasty by it. Secondly, the good news is that dogs naturally have what's known as bite inhibition; they'll chew a bit as part of play but not as hard as they can because they don't want to cause damage.

From your description, it sounds like the chances of them running up to you, jumping up to say hello and even getting your trousers dirty is relatively high (and it's unacceptable, but not the end of the world), but the chances of them doing you an actual injury by biting are very very low.

The product @ToBeOrNotToBee linked to is very vague on the composition of what's in the spray, but it's a bad idea as
A) a dog which is disoriented as the marketing blurb suggests may bite when it otherwise wouldn't
B) if it's pepper spray, CS gas or similar you're committing a criminal offence by having it.
C) it's almost certain to make relationships with your neighbour go south and quickly

I would avoid the spray as there are three dogs. You can't possibly take out all three at once and if one gets disoriented and then aggressive you could have a dog fight and the risk of redirected aggression on your hands.

Not an expert but have always heard the walk tall, stay calm and look away ( don't look straight at a dog i.e. in the eyes that freaks them out).

But I wd also notify dog Warden again and let police know if they are getting our of the garden and are out of control. Be a stuck record. It's important for everyone's safety.

Their property is rented and the landlord doesn't have a brilliant reputation. We own and it would be currently tricky to move.

As they're renting the gate issue does become a bit trickier for them to get sorted. It's the landlord's responsibility, but a lot of landlords are a bit shit and won't even deal with things like damp, so this is low down on the scale of landlord induced disrepair.

Technically the landlord could claim from their deposit if they replaced the gate, even if it was in a better condition than when they left. The claim would be to return the property to the condition it was at the start of the tenancy, minus fair wear and tear. This is more likely if they replaced it with a different product (e.g. wooden not metal gate).

Do you think the existing gate is fixable (e.g. with a new set of hinges) or is it totally knackered? If fixable, could you or another neighbour offer to help them fix it? Hinges are cheap, but they might not have tools or any DIY skills whatsoever.

@LastOfTheChristmasWine
Do you think the existing gate is fixable (e.g. with a new set of hinges) or is it totally knackered? If fixable, could you or another neighbour offer to help them fix it? Hinges are cheap, but they might not have tools or any DIY skills whatsoever.

The gate is toast. It's absolutely finished. Part of the problem is that it's been jury rigged so many times that now it only stays in place with the wheelie bins holding it up. They would be better off getting something sturdy and longer than the gate if all they were going to do was prop it open. I suppose they need to keep some sort of easy open access for post etc, but it's ridiculous.

It's hard, because I know that the owner is having a tough time but I'm getting more and more worried.

I really appreciate all the tips. I'll keep them all in mind. I'll also get onto the dog warden.

I would avoid the spray as there are three dogs. You can't possibly take out all three at once and if one gets disoriented and then aggressive you could have a dog fight and the risk of redirected aggression on your hands.

I definitely agree with this. It's bound to end badly.

My DH was going canoeing in the Yukon where you are advised to take "bear spray" to deter "curious" bears. The leaflet provided on keeping safe around bears amongst other things reminded you that the bear had to be down wind of the bear spray to be of any use, I had visions of you politely asking your hopefully "curious" bear if he minded moving downwind before using said spray. I think you might have a similar problem with pepper spray for dogs.

I'm not sure that I would be good with any sort of spray. First, I'm not sure I'd be calm enough to spray it. Second, I would be worried about the dog (yes, I know it's daft) and probably not spray enough to deter. Third, I make a mess of spraying de-icer on the windscreen so I'm not sure how accurate I'd be. I still am worried about getting bitten.

I really appreciate all the posts.

English Bulldogs tend not to be aggressive - I suspect that, if they don't get any exercise, they're just giddy and excitable to be out and seeing new people.

Obviously I'm not saying their behaviour is okay but I wouldn't be worried about a bite - more them jumping up and being overly excited.

Oh do sod right off.

English bulldogs are the kindest, sweetest souls.
People like you make me sick.
I own and have known many EBs and never, had anyone attacked by one.
They do not have breathing issues - if they are bred properly, they will have a long and happy life. My girl walked many miles with us.
Sadly, she's being PTS tomorrow - nothing to do with her heart or breathing.

Try not to worry about the dogs - call the landlord to change the gate, or secure your perimeter if you're that worried.
The best thing you can do is give them attention, a calm manner always works better with dogs.

Please can you respect that I am absolutely terrified. Other people in the area are scared. The dogs have aggressively chased others.

As I have mentioned, the landlord where the dogs live doesn't have a good reputation. The houses they manage are notorious for being in disrepair. There is no way that the landlord will mend their gate. I don't know what you mean by secure the perimeter. I have a front door, a yard, a working gate, a stretch of pavement and a car.

And please believe me when I say that I'm scared. Genuinely, I'm absolutely terrified. I was bit on the face when I was a kid and I've never got over it and giving attention in a calm manner when shaking with fear is not something I can manage. All I wanted to do is try and get some idea of how to deal with the situation without hurting the dogs.

I'm sorry that you're losing your dog. It must be heartbreaking and my heart goes out to you.

Keep a dog dazer in your pocket - you can get them on amazon/ebay. They emit a high pitched sound that we cannot hear, but dogs can - they don't like it and run off.