Neighbour HATES my dog!

[Canecorsomummy]

Hi everyone!

I’ve lived in my house for over 9 years now, have owned a poodle cross for 8 of those years. April last year I got a Cane Corso puppy, spoke to this certain neighbour informing her, gave her my number and told her if there was any problems with barking etc, especially if I’m not home, then go please let me know so I can resolve it but she has done nothing but cause me problems ever since.

Last year I was taking rubbish to the bins and the CC followed me out and was being fussed over by my neighbour on the other side of my house. 24 hours later the other neighbour put a computer typed letter through my letterbox stating the car park is not a place to walk a dog, it is illegal for her not to be on a lead and if she sees it happening again she is going to report me for having a out of control dog and her being a dangerous breed!! I sent her a text message explaining the law very basically for her and explaining under no circumstances will she be putting notes through my letterbox over something which could be dealt with by an adult conversation.

Well, since April this year she has made numerous reports to RSPCA claiming I’m neglecting her, abusing her and now a report to Social Services claiming I’m not only neglecting my CC, but she is a dangerous breed and I have a young child in my home!

I have absolutely had enough now!! My back door is normally open 24 hours as I have an enclosed garden but I’m petrified to allow the dog to be able to go in and out at her free will because of this neighbour, petrified I’m going to be approached by rspca/police when I’m out walking her ….

I just don’t know what to do now.

No she’s not my first dog, I have been around police trained GSD my whole life as well as having large breeds are family pets.

I have also previously said, I’m a dog walker, I take her on these walks with me apart from one who o don’t allow off lead because he doesn’t have recall.

she 100% gets everything she needs and more

Sorry I was meant to quote yours for another poster

Canecorsomummy - FGS! Says it all really.

Your poor neighbour.

Cover yourself OP - get cameras at the front and back of the house, and start logging any contact she has with you.

I’d of went one further and have them dotted round the house inside too.

Ok, well if you are a confident handler then it’s up to you what breed you have, sounds like your neighbour might think it is a banned breed maybe or has been scared by some news reports about other similar looking breeds? I know GSD can be a rather challenging breed as well in terms of effort needed to give them what they need so you clearly have relevant experience.

I apologise I wasn’t saying I judge you specifically when I wrote the last post, only inexperienced dog owners who select breeds who need a lot of care and experience to look after their needs.

I'd put money on 'when she came to me' meaning 'when I bought her for cheap off gumtree'.

No need to apologise, it was a completely acceptable question

Can you not suggest having an open conversation with her to clear the air and discuss exactly what her concerns are ? I wouldn't be keen on living next door to a CC but if you have done the things you say you have (secure fence, always being on the lead, training etc) then you have done more than most dog owners.

If you live in a council property it might be worth asking housing for mediation ?

If she continues I'd maybe speak to citizens advice or discuss with a solicitor ?

Google again. It’s not.

Under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act, there are 3 banned breeds (Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentina and Fila Brasileiro) and 2 banned breed types (Pitbull type and XL bully type).

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/65/section/1

Actually I would NEVER by any animal off a site like gumtree or any social media. I also believe breeding is a massive contribution to dogs health/aggression issues and the government needs to do something about it

Wow!!! The ignorant responses to this thread are unbelievable almost to the point of amusement (albeit not for the OP I'm sure!).....I wonder how many of the people responding in that way here have ANY first hand experience of any breed of dog?

OP you sound to me like a very experienced and responsible dog owner.

As for your neighbour, what a sad woman she must be to be causing so much of an issue, she has obviously reported this many times to multiple agencies, who will ALL have taken any complaint of this nature seriously. If they have not pursued a course of action that speaks volumes.

I think it's been mentioned here already, but I would get cameras covering the back and front of your house. And I would make a report to the police for harassment. It may also be worth speaking to citizens advice for some advice as to how to best protect yourself and your dogs, and DC, from this and any further issues this crazy neighbour makes now or in the future.

Good luck with the neighbour and please ignore the idiotic comments you are getting here xx

So she is allowed off lead then on these walks?

Even the picture posted previously frightens me never mind living next to one.

She is fully trained around recall, even off lead she will not leave my side without my command so yes I do let her off lead but never around children, cyclists, sports and will always put her back on lead without being asked when I feel she needs to be

I’m not the op and won’t speak for her, but there is no reason why she shouldn’t allow her dog off lead in a suitable place which allows it if it is as well trained as she claims (not disbelieving you OP, just acknowledging that none of us can truly know from the written word)

OP you sound very reasonable but personally I wouldn’t be able to relax in my own street if I was your neighbour. I’m not sure you understand the kind of anxiety that kind of dog causes to some people. Even if you’re doing everything by the book - I would be doing everything your neighbour is doing, just as a last resort before selling my house and moving somewhere else.

For those getting answers off Google saying the breed is banned (it isn’t) Google also gives below:

The short answer is that Cane Corsos aren't inherently aggressive. When raised well, a Cane Coro can turn out to be a well-behaved canine overall.

Perhaps similar to Staffordshire Bull Terriers who are a beautiful gentle breed when raised right, there can be misunderstanding when some dogs look a certain way.

The only thing not misunderstood is they are not for the novice owner, which OP has said she isn’t.

Wow these replies.
A few reasonable questions and then one big pile on.

@Canecorsomummy you seem to have good links with your community police, so I would ask their advice about the best way to approach things. Maybe they have an informal chat with her to reassure her about her concerns and explain that she's veering into harassment territory.

A cane corso. 'any breed of dog is a risk'. Yes I guess they are all capable of attacking no matter what the breed. The difference is the size and weight of a cane corso. Could you manage, if your dog turned on anyone, to pull it off and get it under control? I doubt it given the powerfulness of that breed of dog. Personally I would never own a dog that I could not overpower should I need to.

My only advice to you OP, and you are probably already aware of this, is that as your dog is coming up to 2 years of age, as a large breed and as a female dog, you really really really need to observe her and keep on top of it. This is the time when your dog will fully come through with her real personality. Which may be different than what you have observed so far. She might not change much in behaviour but it's better to expect that she might. More strong willed, more independent, less attached to you, real obvious increased protective traits for her 'tribe' against humans, other dogs, other animals or anything that can breathe or more inclined to resource guard (anything that she wants from a leaf on the ground to a cushion or her food).
Basically now is the time you need to be 200% on it and be ready to address any potential new issues that could easily become the norm for the rest of her life.

My DH was walking our dogs a few weeks ago and some random guy offered him a, supposedly, Cane Corso puppy really, really cheaply. It must be the breed of the moment?

Great idea - then we can all witness the viral video of it mauling her to death just like Nicole Morey's beasts did not long ago. They actually ripped her arm off and she was still writhing around.

No understand exactly what you’re saying! I would never intentionally put another person in danger from my dogs, same as I would never intentionally put my dogs in any danger

Regardless whether they're banned or not, and the neighbours hysterics aside, Cane Corsos can be extremely dangerous if they get out of control.
Back in the day, and in another country, I had an interest in kynology and was into big breeds, obedience and protection training for service and guard dogs etc.

I had a Dogo Argentino, American Staffordshire terrier and also a Doberman. But I'd never consider a Cane Corso or a Fila Brasiliero - the breeds were created for work as guard dogs and have a very strong guarding instinct that can take over in one instant. Their sole propensity for instantaneous aggression in the instant they determine they need to protect their territory or family group, combined with their size and the potential damage they can effect, make them only suitable for very experienced handlers.
OP, I would suggest finding some professional dog trainers that have experience with those breeds (good luck with that in the UK),or at least have been doing protection/guarding training for some time, to get your dog through such course to train both the dog and yourself to behave and react in tricky situations...

You talk about being an experienced and responsible dog owner, but your opening post confirmed the dog was off lead following you to a car park.

No responsible or experienced dog owner would allow that to happen, it shows negligence and poor judgment.

I grew up with GSD's and always had them on lead anywhere, where any person could potentially be walking nearby.

Sadly if large breeds do get a bad reputation, it's down to owners like you who don't watch them like a hawk with zero opportunity for an accident to happen. Only takes one!