Discussions

Go over one day and get introduced to the dog

We have 2 dogs and when someone new comes over they loose their minds. The people that come and go on a regular basis get no reaction.  
 
Hopefully once summer comes and you become a regular occurrence then there shouldn’t be any barking. Maybe feed dog treats approved by the owners?

I think you have come to a really good conclusion. Take the time to talk reasonably with the owner about your concerns, and just be honest about how it makes you nervous and not as enjoyable to be in your yard. Ask the owner to work with you in getting his dog more comfortable with you so he doesn't lose it through the fence when you are in your yard. Both you and the dog should be able to use your yards and enjoy your time there, and I'm sure the owner would agree and hopefully work with you and the dog you so can!

You sound a bit ridiculous, to be honest. It’s a dog behind a fence barking.. dogs often bark when people walk by their fence.  
 
Now if the dog is outside nuisance barking all day that’s something to complain about.. but a simple bark here and there to warn of strangers and visitors is entirely normal and not “aggressive”

The fear you feel can be sensed by the dog but fear and hate is something dogs can't distinguish between. To them it's the same thing. For a dog, protecting it's pack and territory is it's first instinct, hence the barking at the fence. the fence is his worlds boundary. Meeting the dog without the fence will most likely be different because taking the fence away removes the stress of the dogs instinct away and you will see the harmless dog your neighbors are telling you he is and he will see you not as a threat next time he see you through the fence.

If you don't already know the dogs name I'd ask, and any time you're out in the yard at the same time as the dog say hi to it by name, that worked for all the neighborhood dogs around me.

I’d say it depends on upbringing and breed. I have one particular dog (a great pyrenees) and that main purpose of that bread is to protect life stock and property. She barks as soon as she sees someone, but a quick “Thank you, Nola, we are fine. INDOOR VOICE” she shuts up, but it’s her natural instincts to warn us and to scare away any threats. My other dog will cry because he’s excited and wants you to come in the fence and throw his ball. His cry sounds like a bizarre creature screech as he attempts to get his ball under the fence to you. My third doesn’t give a damn, you wouldn’t even know she existed.

of this dog trust your instincts! Many years ago we had a neighbour who owned a pit. My mother loved all animals but this dog always worried me not just because he was a pit but because when I tried to pet him he never acknowledged me, he never sniffed my hand like most dogs will when first meeting them, he had no reaction at all. It turns out he attacked his owner's parent's small dog and almost ripped the wee dog's leg off.  
 
Glad that there is a fence between, but the owners should be stopping their dog's barking or at least trying to curb it.

Barking is what dogs do. Our Maltese will bark if he feels threatened or unsure of some people. He is the friendliest dog otherwise. As others have said...get to know this dog with the owners present. Treats work wonders.

Barking is what dogs do. Our Maltese will bark if he feels threatened or unsure of some people. He is the friendliest dog otherwise. As others have said...get to know this dog with the owners present. Treats work wonders.

Beware. Approximately 2000 people a day are attacked by dogs in North America. Most owners will tell you that their dog won't hurt a flea. Just sayin' ! And, the barking, well, most dog owners do not take the time to train their dogs. We used to have neighbors who would leave their dog outside all day long, while they were away working, shopping, etc.. The people had absolutely no respect for any of the neighbors, just thinking of themselves. Get the phone number for the Animal Control people.

This will sound stupid but talk to the dog if its out in thier yard and barking. Once the dog gets use to your voice and stuff the barking should stop my neighbors dog use to bark and aggressively hit the fence when i was in my yard i just started say hey (the dogs name) and then after awhile got emberassed everytime they'd bark and it was just me. The dog is just protective of the space and neighborhoods basically.

You gotta make an attempt to go and see this dog. It’s already been noted that if you fear it the dog will sense it and just play off that fear. I got a little terrier and a mixed breed and they both bark. We live in an area that isn’t the best so I don’t mind their barking it keeps people out of my yard.

I’m a dog owner and have been reading this thread. I live in a rural area and don’t have close neighbours , but if I did I would not want them to have to live in fear of my dogs. I would feel responsible for their right to enjoy their own property. Perhaps you could just ask them to take the dog inside. If they don’t appreciate how you feel and do something about it then call on Animal Control or whatever authorities that can help you. The dog is threatening you and I think you are right in being apprehensive.

It’s called “territorial” and protecting their yard. Has nothing to do with the breed