Guest Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 On Sunday morning I was washing up and heard Rose squarking. Looked out and saw nothing untoward, so carried on washing up. She was still making a noise so I looked again and saw a dog trying to get over our fence It was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The girls were in a right flap. I shouted Dan (I am petrified of dogs) he ran out with Harry and Jules H & J put the girls in the cube and Dan dealt with the dog We have conifers at the bottom of the garden and we have put up a wire fence to keep the girls in This dog had escaped from its own garden through their fence and was trying to get over our wire fence Luckily he didn't I went round to the owners of the dogs house and told them what had happened They were unduly worried and told me it was a friendly little puppy I told them I had 2 children who play in the garden a lot and 7 chickens and I DO NOT want to have their dog in my garden Dan had to lift this dog over the fence back to its owners, he did say he seemed friendly enough but my neighbour told me otherwise. He had visited her garden on another occasion and was very growly I hate to think what could have happened if he had managed to get over the fence, probably nothing but I don't want to have to take that risk Anybody have any ideas about keeping other peoples dogs off your property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 What are the chances of building up the wire fencing on your side? Also - what about a water gun so that if the dog comes up to the fence whilst you are in the garden a quick spray may deter him from your fence? Staffies are lovely dogs (its the owners who can be the problem, but dont get me started) - but however friendly they are I wouldnt trust them with my free ranging chooks - they are terriers after all! Try and get the dog owners on your side - bribe them with some eggs whilst explaining that even if the dog is a lovely friendly one he might see your free ranging chooks, want to "play" with them and cause mayhem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I agree....have the hosepipe primed. A few icy blasts might give him the message. It's a tricky one as to whether the responsibility is yours to keep the dog out or the owners to keep him in. Maybe a bit of barbed wire might do the trick! Just kidding. I wouldn't want a Staffordshire Bull Terrier near my children never mind the hens....so I'd be inclined to fill in any holes I find myself to be on the safe side. Let's hope his owners see reason and make sure he doesn't bother you again. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 It's definitely their responsibility to keep the dog IN their garden! however, it's always best to keep things with neighbours on friendly terms if you can. I think it's worth explaining that dogs may kill hens, and that even dogs which are friendly, brilliant with children and so on, just cannot resist chasing a hen because it is bred into them. (Stress that it's the dog's nature, and not their fault). They may simply not realise how likely this is to happen if he gets into your garden - compliment them on what a lovely dog he is and what a lot of TERRIER he seems to have in him! Other people on here have trained their own dogs with water-pistols, so that sounds like a good idea and it won't do him any harm. On the bright side - I bet that will keep foxes away from your garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 We have a double fence and the dog was trapped in the middle. It had come through the fence of the house at the back of us. Not the dog owners fence I don't know what else we could do These people are a bit of a nuisence. Last year for instance they set fire to this huge conifer that was in their garden the smoke was incredible and our garden was completely covered in this acrid smoke. This again got the grils sqwarking Dan got the hosepipe and sprayed the tree to try and put it out. Unfortunately at the same time the man who lived there popped his head over the fence and got a drenching We have just got rid of all our holly bushes. I think we will have to reinstate them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I have a dog who has been a fantastic escape artist - and alot of money has been spent on new fences to put a stop to it BUT I was always on the case quite quickly and had a neighbour been intimidated by him would never had let him out in the garden on his own because its my responsibility. With regard to chickens though - the same dog, Dylan was terrible when they first arrived because they were in 'his' garden and he is quite terratorial. I think he could have harmed them if given the chance. The water gun worked - he goes out now when they are free ranging and totally avoids them - in fact he's gone the extreme opposite and won't go past them unless I call him So, I echo the others - get a Supersoaker! Or, what about Foxwatch? Aren't dogs supposed to hear that frequency too? Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Staffies are lovely dogs (its the owners who can be the problem, but dont get me started) - but however friendly they are I wouldnt trust them with my free ranging chooks - they are terriers after all! They are - we have one Millie is a sweetheart & she comes into the hen pen with me to see the hens every day. However,I don't leave her with them if they are free ranging - asking for trouble if you ask me. I also certainly would not want a strange Staffie in my garden, & the Staffie we had before Millie was a nightmare with other animals You need to take some sort of action to secure the garden, as the chase & catch instint is very strong in these dogs & it will be back..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I totally agree with Mel and Olly on this one. However well the dog is trained, its instinct will take over when it sees feathered flappy things. My lurcher had a terrier mentaility and was very well trained; I would never have let her near chooks though as she was trained to chase small animals. A sensible talk with the neighbours-of-the-burning-bush and a super soaker are in order. Pyracantha has lovely long thorns and pretty, bright berries in the winter - it is virtually impenetrable when growm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Pyracantha has lovely long thorns and pretty, bright berries in the winter - it is virtually impenetrable when growm. Brilliant suggestion Claret. All the benefits of barbed wire without any of the anti- social implications. A fox watch might do the trick....but didn't you send one back because it bothered your cat.....or am I confusing you with someone else. How about some of **this**. I quite like the smell myself but dogs are supposed to hate it. If you put it at the perimeter your cat might avoid it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 (edited) Thank you all for your replies I think the super soaker is a good idea I don't think a sensible talk with this family would really do any good. I don't they are particularly bothered with being 'responsible good neighbours'. They did say they would repair the hole that the dog came through and we will reinforce the fence at the back and get some prickly bushes. I do love our chooks and would hate anything to happen to them but I am a little more concerned that this dog will harm one of the children Lets hope this is the last we see of him though We did try the Fox Watch but it did send the cat a bit weird Edited January 28, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Becka Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Not all dogs would worry about a supersoaker or hose. Mine would think you were possibly the best thing since sliced bread! Although it's an owners responsibility to keep their dog under control, I would reinforce the fence as they sound like they think everyone should think their dog is trustworthy. I have two big dogs that have co-existed with cats and hens very reliably but you never know what goes on in a dog's mind and when it might just snap. I'd err on the side of caution, better safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Some years back (pre-chickens) someone backing onto us used to leave their little dog in the garden all day, yapping. The poor thing was always breaking out and runnning riot in other peoples gardens, I took it back on more than one occasion. When I went into the kitchen to find it in there, eating the cat food (the door was open) I took it back and told them that the next time it was in my garden, I'd take it to the police station... not seen it since (which is worrying ) Shame really, it was a sweet dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 We did try the Fox Watch but it did send the cat a bit weird Sorry shouldnt laugh but .... I have a 'Dog Stop' spray if you want it? Its like an attack alarm and is used to scare them and interupt unwanted behaviour. Im positive its in a drawer somewhere. As others have suggested the water spray is good - it works a treat on the bears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Sorry to derail your thread Debs...but bloomin 'eck Emma...I had only just got used to your new avatar...... I'm too old for change...... Sorry...back on track! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 We did try the Fox Watch but it did send the cat a bit weird Sorry shouldnt laugh but .... I have a 'Dog Stop' spray if you want it? Its like an attack alarm and is used to scare them and interupt unwanted behaviour. Im positive its in a drawer somewhere. As others have suggested the water spray is good - it works a treat on the bears! It was a shame for poor old Spook, we switched it on and his ears went flat and he just bolted for the other end of the garden Would love the Dog Stop if you have it PS I was a bit thrown with the avatar as well Em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I couldnt keep the Christmas sheep with the waggling ears - Christmas was ages ago I lost my yellow furry critter thing when the laptop was rebuilt so Kermit was next in line! Kermit is King!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lailapet Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I took it back and told them that the next time it was in my garden, I'd take it to the police station... not seen it since (which is worrying ) Shame really, it was a sweet dog. We had a hunting type dog running loose around here quite a lot when we first moved in. The kids loved it, it was a sweet dog and Sophia took it back to its owners and was given ice cream as a thank you and so on. When our free ranging chickens disappeared a lady called me to say she had seen that dog chasing them and I almost went over to their farm to "have it out with them". But it's a small community and my landlord had to see them about something else and mentioned to them about the chickens and that I had said I would call the police next time I saw the dog around here. Strays are not allowed and they would have got a fine. Haven't seen the dog since - think she was put down. Now I'm glad I never did anything about it as I can't be sure the dog was responsible for the chickens disappearing - I did see a beautifully healthy looking fox in broad daylight in the field behind our house not a week later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...