Discussions

I have a neighbor across our street where our community mailbox is kept and every time someone tries to get mail from the mailbox she let's her dogs out.. they are not friendly dogs.. (not really big either) but they follow you up and down the fence as you go to the mailbox and when you get off the sidewalk she calls her dogs in...  
In the winter there will be a path shoveled for the dogs.  
 
This is really annoying and not sure what to do. I have been at my house for 10 years and It has been like this for years since she moved in..

Have you tried talking to the dogs in a calm voice each time you walk to the box ?  
 
Just strike up general conversation, asked them how they're doing, hows the weather, if they have plans besides barking at you, what it must be like living with their owner.  
 
It might help familiarize you to them and you could end up becoming their friend, the owner does sound like piece of work though

Take treats with you and give them each one. They will start to be friendlier each time you come by.

Call the dog catcher!

the dogs can not get near you to bite you they are in their own yard am I understanding correctly ? it's just the barking that is annoying ? I would rather put up with the barking rather then if it was a biting thing .sounds like the owner enjoys letting her dogs out just to see what they do for her it's entertaining nothing better to do .  
as far as treats that would be a no no for me the dog owner would probably not like that .

oops sorry sent to the wrong poster .

If you are wanting to make friends with the dogs. Use treats. It doesn’t matter if the dog owner doesn’t like it. She doesn’t seemed worried about your feelings, I wouldn’t worry about hers.

No treats, no "nice talks" with the dogs and no talking to the owners. If the people there are deliberately "sending the dogs out" every time you get the mail.... well, it's turned into a game for them and their dogs, so make it a game. Make some gruff grunts and tap, shake and scratch at the fence to get them all riled up to the point that they're literally pooping during the barking excitement. (it's so much fun) If those people think your involvement in playing is too much for the dogs, they'll just keep them inside the next time your out.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Is the fence a chain link one so they can see you? Or a horizontal, open fence, or a closed, high tight fence?  
 
Neighbour must enjoy letting the dogs out for their own excitement. Maybe extra exercise for those puppers. Sadly, it's not their fault but the habits of the owner.  
 
What happens at the Community mailbox when the Canada Post Worker or others show up?  
 
I'd shrug it off. Chalk it up to your greeting each day. lol

Yes it seems when anyone gets the mail she will let them out. I have tried the sweet talk with the dogs (it was 1 until recently she got another) it just doesn't work...    
   
It is also the place where the kids get picked up for the school bus..  
Bu what happens if the dogs got out?? If they act this aggressive what will they do ??

Would you consider a dog whistle for while you’re outside? It may help.  
 
A conversation with animal control might be worth it?

If the owner doesn't like you giving the dogs treats that may be the ticket for her keeping them indoors while you get your mail. Sadly though alot of dogs attitudes are a reflection of the people they live with.

Why make the dogs pay for the owners backward thinking, the poor dogs probably can't wait to get out of the house away from the owner and feel the need to espouse their feelings to the nice people walking by.  
 
Taunting and aggravating the dogs will just reinforce the owners mentality, maybe leading to them biting a stranger if they did get loose.  
 
Edited by hutchster, 2023-07-02 19:07:33

......give treats without the owners permission, I sure wouldn't like it if someone did to my dogs! Talk to the owners would be the better idea......

You can give treats to a dog. Ask any delivery driver!

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Sounds like the owner is the problem but two wrongs don’t make things right. As mentioned previously the best course of action is to involve animal control and let them have a talk with the dogs owner about what sounds like their own antisocial behaviour, their responsibilities towards other people and their responsibilities regarding proper treatment of the animals they are caring for.

Just a theory but I’m assuming the dogs can go out whenever they “ask”.  
They likely can see out the window and if someone comes along they start barking like crazy to get out and the owner complies.

I think the poster above me is right. I highly doubt someone is sitting by the window just waiting for someone to walk to the mailbox to let their dogs out. Sounds more like the dogs are laying around and when they start barking when they see someone they are allowed outside. Horrible dog ownership in my opinion….

is this location?

Last time she was calling the dogs to come outside... I have 2 cats.. they don't hiss and spit at strangers when they come in the house they come up and sniff and purr and rub....