Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Your Neck of the Woods Chat- Memorial Day 2012, 1 by Chantell

Chantell wrote:
Yes...they are protecting their yard - their family etc etc. The fact that the teenager (right or wrong) was running from them only makes the situation worse. The best of dogs are dogs and their prey drive WILL kick in esp.when guarding their 'stuff' and when there's more then one dog. It then becomes pack mentality with prey drive kicked in. Cocktail for disaster. SS if they've never bothered you - chances are they won't. They're barking might be just that - barking. 2 of the 4 I have (only one is actually mine - and she's not a barker) will bark if they see anything moving - human or animal. Drives me insane - I'm constantly correcting them. None of them are 'vicious' dogs (I have 2 rotties, a pitt x lab, and an Akita mix) - nor have they ever bitten anyone...but they are protective of their yard. It's a dog thing. Avoiding eye contact with the dogs and sudden movement...simply ignoring them and going about your business as you have is the perfect way to react to their barking. Going over and expressing your concerns is spot on - I would want someone to come to me if they were frightened of my dogs and you will be helping your other neighbor out as well. MY yard is surrounded by a 6' board on board fence.