Dogs In Front Yards

[kiesha09]

When I moved to my new house about 4 years ago, on our first walk around the streets a dog that was in its front yard scaled its front fence and attacked my girl Kiesha requiring alot of stitches to her wounds. She was only 8 months old at the time and it brought about all sorts of fear reactivity issues with dogs and especially dogs behind fences.

So for me dogs in front yards annoys the cr*p out of me.

It is only now 4 years on that I can finally walk her around the streets without her losing the plot but she will still always jump on the fence to try to see over incase there is a big bad doggy there trying to get her.

ETA - I like the post about the person who uses the dogs in front yards as a training opportunity. I too do that :laugh: but we have to keep going the same route so we know where they are

Edited November 9, 2012 by kiesha09

[Tazar]

My understanding is that a person must be able to get your front door without coming into contact with your dog. So if you have a door bell at the gate and the owner can come out, that is ok.

Has anyone else heard this? I am trying to remember where I heard it....

Guess it would be considered an offence if dogs at houses without bells at front gates are loose in the front yard???

[Purdie]

When my kids were little i was walking to kinder with pram and two little ones .The same route as usual when 2 Dobermann rushed up to a 4 foot front fence and went to town.Very very scary.I told the kids to not make eye contact as we crossed to the other side of the road.But really people should be able to walk the streets and feel safe.

What if i'd had another dog with me,or continued past,would they have jumped the fence or not,how am i to know that.You may think your dog is friendly or wouldn't jump a fence

but can you be 100%sure.Another time i see a Rottweiler in a front yard low brick fence i have to go the long way around to post a letter.Sure he may not have done anthing if i went past but was not going to test it.Why should people have to be scared and go out of their way because a dog owner can't secure their dogs behind a high enough fence.

Fair enough if the front fence is a good height to keep the dog in and you can see they cannot get over but 4 foot and under for big agile dogs in not good enough.

Our neighbour has a Standard Shnauzer and a Rottweiler and they are in the front yard often but there is an electric wire that keeps them well back from the fence so they bark but can't rush up to the fence or gate .

[Blackdogs]

I personally think that if they are in their front yard and you don't like their barking walk on the other side of the road. Not everyone has completely non-reactive dogs and lets face it people, dogs do bark. Short of having their voice box removed what do you suggest? I'm so tired of hearing people carry on about dogs and things they do naturally, some more than others. I have seen someone claim a dog tried to attack them and it was a large breed pup who was simply jumping up to try and play. Yes jumping up isn't great but it was a pup and still learning. All this ''I think it would attack me IF it got out' is nonsense. Did it attack you? No!! It's things like this that make me glad I live so far out of town. My dogs bark when strangers come to our house, I want to know when people are here, why would dogs in town behave any differently simply because they're in a smaller yard. Remember they they are dogs and will do what dogs do, regardless of whether you like it or not. Give them a break, everyone seems out to report everyone every chance they get. It's quite interesting reading information from dog behaviour experts about barking and how barking is normal in dogs, the situations we expect them to be in and not bark is not.

I agree. It seems dog people are less and less tolerant of each other. I usually like to stop and chat with dog people and if I see something I don't like or hear something I disagree with I politely bite my tongue or move on unless it really impacts upon me, then I politely communicate with the person. It seems though, and I'm not sure if it's the culture on this forum or if it's something I've been unaware of until now, that dog people are ever so ready to turn on each other or believe the worst about each other. It really bothers me how over-legislated we are with regards to dogs and dog ownership. You'd think rather than reporting each other we'd band together and be more understanding. It's almost like legislation has taken the place of communication. People don't have to negotiate and discuss because the laws, getting increasingly strict as they are, allow us to report people like petty school children dobbing on a playmate.

Of couse I'm not talking about serious incidents, here.

[kayla1]

My dogs are always in the backyard, never in the front yard even though it is fenced (I'm lucky to have a separate backyard).

I don't walk around the streets here now, but when I did there were some dogs in front yards behind fences that bothered me, such as the American bulldog that broke through a gate a couple of times to attack another dog and to charge a woman walking past. So I'm a bit wary of walking past houses with dogs in front yards.

[Esky the husky]

My understanding is that a person must be able to get your front door without coming into contact with your dog. So if you have a door bell at the gate and the owner can come out, that is ok.

Has anyone else heard this? I am trying to remember where I heard it....

Guess it would be considered an offence if dogs at houses without bells at front gates are loose in the front yard???

I don't see the problem when the owner isn't home to answer the door.

A lot of places around here are fenced like forts, with little intercoms on their gates and a view window in the fence so that the meter can be read without needing access.

I think with a lot of blocks getting smaller people have to use all the space they have wisely.

I use my front yard for training / excercise only ( and to have a husky free garden)

[JulesP]

Of couse I'm not talking about serious incidents, here.

The reason that I would report an inadequately contained dog is to prevent a serious incident. I am going to feel like shit if I read that some little old ladies dog has been mauled by this dog next week.

[melzawelza]

Are you sure it had a definite desire to inflict injury? Are you sure it wasn't that it just had a definite desire for you to go away?

IME dogs intent on inflicting injury have tended to be silent, no barking, just straight down to business.

I know what you mean about the dogs in front yards though, it can do your head in a bit. :-)

There is zero doubt in my mind that if it had got out that it would have bitten the dogs. It has been the only dog that has bothered me.

The rest have all been noise.

I do know what you mean, when you're experienced in dog behaviour and body language you can see the difference.

A few months prior to my dog being attacked the other week, I reported a large powerful dog that was kept behind nothing but star pickets and dog mesh. It was going off it's tree at my dog when I walked her past and it was much, much more than just a 'barking at the fence' type response.

I, like you had no doubt that the dog would defend it's territory should it get free (and it was trying to). I was so certain that I actually ran as fast as I could to get a head start on the dog as it was starting to push hard on the fence and I thought it might get through.

Cue a few weeks ago when the same dog broke free of it's owner up at the shops and crossed the busy road to come and attack my dog. I knew it months earlier and it was only confirmed for me that day, that that dog was not just barking, it was dog aggro and would attack if it escaped.

That said, if the dog was adequately contained I never would have reported it.

Edited November 9, 2012 by melzawelza

[Lugeanjaam]

My neighbour up until last week had 2 beautiful Aussie Bulldogs. Her house is on a corner block and they had access to the front yard. They barked, a lot. Every kid riding their bike, every mother with a pram, every dog walking past, every leaf blowing in the wind. Whilst I know the dogs and I am confident that they are friendly having 2 bulldogs going off at the fence can be very intimidating. I haven't seen them for the last few days. This morning I asked the owner about them. She said that she started receiving letters of complaint about their barking. These letters became increasingly threatening. She then found pieces of meat in her yard and the final straw for her was last weekend when she found about 20 pieces of chocolate thrown in her yard. She rehomed the young female to her ex and the male is kept indoors only allowed out under supervision. Scary stuff. There are some unhinged people out there who wouldn't think twice about hurting a dog if it annoyed them enough. I wouldn't have my dogs out the front, to many risks.

[Lisey]

My dogs are only in the front yard if I am with them - generally throwing the ball as its the best spot for it - it is fenced at the front but I put up side fences when I first moved in so they are always in the backyard when no-one is home. Mainly as I don't want it to be as obvious that I have dogs incase someone steals them or if someone comes in and then leaves a gate open.

I have a regular route that I go when walking them and I know where all the crazy barkers are - some of them I just know to walk on the other side of the road but others I have amended my route as I don't feel 100% safe walking past. Generally though I walk on quiet streets (car wise) so I often walk right in the middle of the road so I'm not too close to either front yards.

[Teebs]

I hate dogs in front yards. Being 25 weeks pregnant with a fear aggressive dog, I can no longer walk her.

Even just to get off my street I have to walk past at least two lots of fenced in dogs, so it's not a choice of walking a different direction.

The worst is a swf who is horrible. The owner has been in the paper in regards to how great the dog is because it will attack a person.

Kaos gets better every day, but if there is a new dog in a front yard she will pull me over. I hate that I have to wait for someone to come help me before I can take her for a walk

I think part of being a responsible dog owner is making sure your dog is not annoying others. There is no way I would allow my dogs access to a front yard. If I was on a corner block I would look at putting a second fence up to keep my dogs away from the main one

[Staffyluv]

My neighbour up until last week had 2 beautiful Aussie Bulldogs. Her house is on a corner block and they had access to the front yard. They barked, a lot. Every kid riding their bike, every mother with a pram, every dog walking past, every leaf blowing in the wind. Whilst I know the dogs and I am confident that they are friendly having 2 bulldogs going off at the fence can be very intimidating. I haven't seen them for the last few days. This morning I asked the owner about them. She said that she started receiving letters of complaint about their barking. These letters became increasingly threatening. She then found pieces of meat in her yard and the final straw for her was last weekend when she found about 20 pieces of chocolate thrown in her yard. She rehomed the young female to her ex and the male is kept indoors only allowed out under supervision. Scary stuff. There are some unhinged people out there who wouldn't think twice about hurting a dog if it annoyed them enough. I wouldn't have my dogs out the front, to many risks.

How horrible.. It's one thing to complain about the dogs barking but to try and injure or kill them is beyond words..

The two next door to us have been barking forever.. It is very annoying but council won't do anything because he knows them all..

I hate the way they charge the fence when anyone walks past but I also realise they are dogs and only doing what a lot of dogs do.. They are the product of their environment..

I can have my lad in the front yard and he gets excited when someone comes past but he doesn't bark and carry on or lunge at the people or other dogs...

The only time he barks at the front door if someone comes is when we don't hear it and he is waiting at the door on his own.

He will also bark when it gets dark if someone comes to the door..

Why is that some dogs do the lunging and barking, when others are jut happy to go up to the fence and say hi?

Edited November 9, 2012 by Staffyluv

[mixeduppup]

We actually built a fence to deny out dogs access to the front yard as they were getting really animated and making paths running up and down all the time. Our next door neighbours have 5 SWF and one big yard and they never shut up, they bark at everything. Our dogs will go check if those ones bark but rarely join in now as it's too far away and not worth it. We know if there's someone here now as the dogs bark only when people visit and not just when they walk past.

[juice]

My dogs can see out of my screen door in my garage right next to the front door, they throw themselves at the screen if anyone comes up the driveway.I don't need a doorbell :laugh:

If my front yard was fenced they would be free in it, but its not.

Its my yard, my property, i live alone, and i am darn glad they scare the crap out of people walking up the drive.

But they are not a danger to society. :D

edited to add, if it was fenced they would only be out there if i was home, and they didn't bark alot.

Edited November 9, 2012 by juice

[LizT]

My husband delivers parcel for a living and has to contend with dogs "meet 'n greets" all the time. Fortunately dogs are a good judge of character and they seem to really love him, a comment he receives daily from people..."Oh Fido really loves you"..I'm sure it's because he smells of our pack! :laugh:

The law does state that a person "with business" (deliveries, meter readers etc.) must have clear and unencumbered access to the front door of each home. This includes not tripping over hoses and kids bikes! This is why people have public liability insurance as part of their household insurance. If they have business at your home and your dog bites them on your property you are liable.

I believe someone with more legal nouse than I has mentioned on a previous thread that dogs are not permitted to be left in front yards.

My girls play in the front yard as it is a "tidier Cavalier friendly" yard than the back with simple access to our house, but we are on acreage and people walk on the road. Even so I never leave them out there unattended without being able to see them through my front door, just in case someone comes.

As to just walking past homes where dogs take offence at your dogs going past, this is territorial and to be expected.

They are telling you to "push off" and that this is their 'crib'. No one can walk past our home without our dogs barking at them...the GSD can 'seem' quite intimidating. It's all an act...but that is what he is paid the "Big Bucks" for. :) Incidently he is confined to the rear of the house.

I have actually planted a low hedge just in front of our fence so people walking on the road wont see us and we wont see them soon. :)

Edited November 9, 2012 by LizT

[Jetpoint GSP]

Some people on this forum are pretty report-happy. Dogs bark at fences. The dog has not escaped and attacked you. You cannot possibly predict what the dog will do and the dog is obviously contained. You have nothing to report. Mind your own business and cross the road if you don't like it.

ETA: My dogs sound fierce behind a fence, but they're very well socialised and friendly dogs.

This post has been edited by Blackdogs: 09 November 2012 - 08:49 AM

This ++++ my post got cut off but this was the essence !!

[LizT]

A dog can only be proved to be "inadequately contained" IF it actually gets out.

When I did the cencus years ago I had a problem with two dogs in a front yard...A Rottie and a Ridgeback. I could barely drop the paperwork into the letterbox without these two jumping at my hand a barking and slavering..very, very scary.

When working on that street during collection weeks later, these two dogs were out for a wander. The front gate was open, the owner was washing his car and they were walking up the footpath, they were the sweetest friendliest dogs you'd hope to see.

Quite different from the two dogs who objected to me approaching their front fence and letterbox.

Edited November 9, 2012 by LizT

[melzawelza]

There are times when a dog can be considered inadequately contained regardless of whether it has escaped or not. The one I described of a large 50kg+ dog being held back by chicken wire that it was physically pushing over is one; another was a dog kept in a front hard with NO fence at all, but raised a meter off the ground. Just because the dog hasn't jumped down YET doesn't mean it is adequately contained.

In some cases the council will not be able to do anything, but reporting it is still necessary in case the dog DOES escape in the future. Then there is a record and history of the fact.

I don't think anyone here is suggesting anyone report a dog that is well contained and very, very unlikely to escape.

[Dame Aussie]

There are times when a dog can be considered inadequately contained regardless of whether it has escaped or not. The one I described of a large 50kg+ dog being held back by chicken wire that it was physically pushing over is one; another was a dog kept in a front hard with NO fence at all, but raised a meter off the ground. Just because the dog hasn't jumped down YET doesn't mean it is adequately contained.

In some cases the council will not be able to do anything, but reporting it is still necessary in case the dog DOES escape in the future. Then there is a record and history of the fact.

I don't think anyone here is suggesting anyone report a dog that is well contained and very, very unlikely to escape.

Exactly.

One of the ones I spoke about occasionally has the gate to its yard open, how do I know that dog isn't going to freak out one day and leave it's yard? Imagine a little old lady with a tiny dog walking past this big dog going absolutely crazy at it with no barrier there?!

No I won't report it. but I definitely don't think it's acceptable,

Guess that makes me one of those "report happy dobbers" *rolleyes*

Edited November 9, 2012 by Aussie3

[Luke GSP]

A dog can only be proved to be "inadequately contained" IF it actually gets out.

All those that feel that just because a fence holds back the viscous beast this time, means that it is adequately contained, I am afraid that you are wrong, you and I might not have the ability, but there are some on this forum that despite not being structural engineers or having any other link to the building, fencing or construction industry, can tell at a glance whilst hurrying past with their dog, that a fence/method of containment is "not adequate" Maybe if the councils weren't busy with all these "potential" dangerous dogs, based on no more evidence than someones "opinion" they could get on with dealing with actual problems?

Maybe people should try and sort out their own insecurities and fears before appointing themselves judge and jury on the rest of society should they not conform to their views of what is adequate or acceptable? IF THE ANIMAL DID NOT GET OUT, THEN THE CONTAINMENT WAS ADEQUATE!

Just because something frightens YOU does not make it unsafe or dangerous. If it did then every theme park the world over would be closed overnight.