Elderly neighbours just got a massive Rottweiler that seems untrained

[MassiveKennelFUp]

My elderly neighbours and live in adult DD have just got themselves a fully grown Rottweiler.

Every time I go into my garden, or my dog goes in, it runs down the side of the fence barking and what I call a blood curdling growl. It’s out at 6am, till late.

I’m scared it’s going to jump the fence and kill my dog, or one of us. It sounds like it wants to kill.

If the neighbours are in the garden the dog will get a weak “stop it”.

I’ve made sure it can’t get under the fence and growing my hedge 1000 metres high.

Is there anything I can do about it?

How high / safe is your fence ??

Reinforce your fence is probably the only thing you can do.

Can you talk to them about your concerns?
Im guessing not otherwise you'd have already done that but I don't want to assume so i thought id ask.

Can you not report it as a dangerous dog?

If you are really concerned about the possibility of it being / getting out of control then you could ring the police on the non emergency number 101 and speak to someone for advice.

Rottweilers are very vocal dogs, YouTube the “rottie rumble”, they make a terrifying noise and bare teeth even when they’re extremely happy.
However, you don’t know that dog so be very careful, they can do some serious damage.
Could you speak to your neighbours to gain some information? Ask if it’s a rescue or are they dog-sitting etc.

Dog Warden?

Fence is about 6 ft high. My fence is fine and I’m growing my hedge as high as I can and if they don’t like it I’ll tell them it’s to keep the dog out.

I think it’s a rescue and it’s been there months.

I have 2 Rottweilers they are lovely dogs but they do growl a lot and smile as I call it it’s a rottie thing! Saying that Rottweilers need a lot of training cos they are a stubborn dog breed and like to be boss!

Ive got a Rottweiler and as menacing as he may look he’s a big baby , that said when nextdoors little rat size dog winds him up you’d think he was gonna kill it , you’re being very judgy of his breed though , can your speak to your neighbour ( nicely ) about him and see what situation is ?

On what grounds? Nothing has actually happened!!

On what grounds ? It hasn’t done anything ?

Also to add rottie as are very intelligent and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation so hopefully this dogs needs are being met, doesn’t sound like they are though , if in garden all day 😔

Have you considered talking to your neighbours about it?

As it’s going to be a long term issue, and witnessing the same currently third hand with a friend, this is what I would do;

Engage with them in a friendly non-judgemental way on neutral territory, ask, or engineer it that you are alone outside and ask if you can walk with them.
Ask if you can give the dog some treats, make a fuss of him, befriend him, be associated with toys and friendly times (without your own dog).

If it goes well, you might later be able to introduce your dog - but on neutral territory.

The Rottweiler might then be less problematic in the garden going forwards.

(we all have a nearby dog owner who refuses to let their dogs do an initial meet and gradual socialisation / familiarisation - with the result that all neighbouring dogs are needlessly terrified of “the monster the other side of their garden fence” - that they have never actually met, and life is miserable for all the dogs and all the owners

I really don't think you can do anything because your neighbours, despite being elderly (!) have a dog that 'seems' to be untrained. Not even if they have a 'live-in adult DD' and the dog is already an adult (?!).

I'm not clear how you know it's not the adult DD's dog (would that make it better? Are you implying they are too elderly to look after a dog?). And I'm not clear why it's a bad thing they went for an adult dog rather than a puppy. If the dog 'seems' untrained then, honestly, it sounds as if you are guessing. If there's a real problem, fine. But you can't report someone just because you get the vapours about people owning dogs.

I don’t really care who owns the dog. I’d just like to walk out my front door without that dog growling at me and barking at me or my dog. It’s really nerving.

I wouldn’t let my dog growl at my neighbours like that.

FYI I’ve NEVER seen that dog taken for a walk.

Well you asked what could be done about it. Surely the best way is to actually speak to your neighbours. @VWT5 has given a great suggestion IMO.
If they’ve only just got the dog, as in it’s very recent, he may need some time to settle and adjust.
Rotties can seem intimidating but the right ones/best trained are lovely dogs

I mean this kindly, you have one solid chance here and now to fake/pretend you love their dog and try to get off now at the outset on a good workable solution that works for all of you.

If you don’t want to try, I guess you potentially could have up to say a decade of stress and unpleasantness ahead?.

(I've watched the same from afar with friends for more than 2 decades). Give it a chance…

Judgy much - little rat sized dog?!

And yours sounds as though it might, but hey, probably won’t, kill said dog? But it’s rat sized dog’s fault

You acknowledge your dog looks menacing. He may be a big baby. However he could inflict a lot more damage than a little dog

OP should be able to have peaceful enjoyment of her garden

However, @MassiveKennelFUp you want a solution maybe give @VWT5‘s ideas a go. And yes, I know the poster I’ve quoted suggested a nice chat too.

Well yeah it is as rat dog nextdoor to me starts it … lol

Absolutely agree everyone should have quiet enjoyment of their garden , OP & ME included 🤣

A rottweiler won't jump a 6 foot fence

More likely go through the fence.
Report ungodly times of barking to the council.

As PP have said, speak to your neighbours.
If it’s a rescue it will take time to settle in so the barking may be a combination of the whole new situation, as well as hearing you.
A dog that barked as soon as I walked outside wvery single time would annoy me too, and I’d also be putting measures in place to ensure the fence was safe. But definitely speak to your neighbours, meet the dog, ask a few questions, mention he’s quite loud etc etc.
Some people aren’t bothered by a dog that barks so might not even see it as a problem.

You can’t report a dangerous dog when it hasn’t done anything except bark and growl.
If the noise is excessive the only thing you could do is report it to the council as a noise issue?:

This reminds me of years ago when we had a Doberman when I was a child. She was the softest thing in the word. Had a big bark but no bite that I ever saw. She got out the back garden once when we had popped out and sat in the front garden smiling and waiting patiently for us to come home. The next door neighbours went ballistic claiming they were too scared to leave the house.

Having said that OP, you shouldn’t feel unsafe or uncomfortable on your own property but may need to take a softly, softly approach in the first instance by speaking to the neighbours and things may not be as bad as you feared.

It does sound as though the dog’s needs aren’t being met though if it’s never walked. I find people can be very precious about their pets (including me) so tread carefully if you don’t want massive neighbour issues for a long time to come.

OP why don't you try to get to know the dog ? Go round and speak to your neighbours, communication will help instead of being terrified in your own garden.

I understand your fear I am terrified of Rottweilers and Dobermans always have been, however, my friend has a Doberman now and she is absolutely beautiful nothing like I thought she was going too be.