Last night my DH happen to look out the window and seen a woman feeding our dog. He alerts me to it, so I went outside and told her to stop and that she should ask before feeding or giving treats. She apologized and left. A hour later she comes back apologizes again with cookies and tells me she works for a small animal vet. She was thinling about what I said and agreed that she should of never done that, plus it was only the 2nd time she has done that with my dog because she seems so friendly. Really!!!
We all make mistakes and it sounds like your neighbor is truly sorry for her lapse in judgement.
So… what is the problem?
It was nice of her to come back and apologize.
And? She sounds like a good neighbor to have. Make friends.
That was nice that she said she was sorry.
Trubandloki, I personally would not want someone feeding my dog as he is allergic to chicken and if he had flair ups and I was unaware of some extra goodies given to him unbeknownst to me, it would have me perplexed.
Plus, its just bad form to feed a stranger’s dog treats.
She sounds like the kind of neighbor that is good to have. Yes, she messed up, and should never have fed your dog treats. But, lots of people would have gone all huffy on you and refused to admit that they did anything wrong. It’s never nice to have situations develop where neighbors harbor bad feelings. This woman thought about what you said, apologized and I would bet that she won’t do it again without asking you first. If it were me, I’d probably try to develop at least a pleasant, speaking acquaintanceship.
I understand your initial reaction - but this might be a situation in which to try to make lemonade. She likes your dog - but took criticism/correction well. Maybe there is a potential pet-sitter, or pet-sitter backup, in the making.
LOL, I read the “alerted” as the dog alerted to the presence with stranger-with-treats.
Then I realized it was husband.
Then I mentally pictured husband in the classic alerting-dog position 
How does it happen that someone can be feeding your dog outside and you don’t know it? The dog is loose, the neighbor is trespassing? Just curious, maybe she was throwing it over the fence but still, weird…
Sounds like a classy neighbor, responding the way she did.
Perhaps your dog was barking growling or uncomfortable with her walking by so she tossed treats to counter condition. Carrying treats when I walk helps me feel I have a tool in my toolbox if a loose dog is coming at me.
With all the unhealth treats (from China) in the stores, I would not want anyone feeding my dog without my knowledge.
My dog who eats everything (like marley) is recovering from another bout of an upset stomach. My DH laughed at me for saying something, but it’s not fair to the dog to get sick again because someone thought they would be nice. Plus with all the crazy people out there feeding tainted treats, um no.
We live in a townhome with a shared back yard. DH bought a tie out thinking she would be happier spending a little more time relaxing in the sun. I’m glad she won’t do it again, but I’m sure if it was your horse you would react the same way
If you’re that worried, can you train your dog not to accept treats or pick up food lying around unless given the OK signal?
[QUOTE=Louise;7247982]
If you’re that worried, can you train your dog not to accept treats or pick up food lying around unless given the OK signal?[/QUOTE]
Yep. It’s not very hard to do.
My first thought was exactly what cowboymom said and since you explained your living situation, I would absolutely be teaching the dog not to take food/treats without the ok sign.
[QUOTE=MunchingonHay;7247421]
That was nice that she said she was sorry.
Trubandloki, I personally would not want someone feeding my dog as he is allergic to chicken and if he had flair ups and I was unaware of some extra goodies given to him unbeknownst to me, it would have me perplexed.
Plus, its just bad form to feed a stranger’s dog treats.[/QUOTE]
It is bad form to feed a strangers dog for sure. It is bad form to give a carrot to a horse that is not yours with out asking first too.
That does not mean the person who did it is a bad person. It means the person made a mistake.
It sounds like in this case the person who made the mistake feels bad for making it and is very apologetic so why treat them like they are a villain?
[QUOTE=spotted draft x filly;7247962]My dog who eats everything (like marley) is recovering from another bout of an upset stomach. My DH laughed at me for saying something, but it’s not fair to the dog to get sick again because someone thought they would be nice. Plus with all the crazy people out there feeding tainted treats, um no.
We live in a townhome with a shared back yard. DH bought a tie out thinking she would be happier spending a little more time relaxing in the sun. I’m glad she won’t do it again, but I’m sure if it was your horse you would react the same way[/QUOTE]
I would do what you did (if someone fed my horse without my permission). Then when the person who fed my horse reacted like this person did I would feel like not only do I have a good neighbor who made a silly mistake but I taught them something that will benefit them and other horses/dogs.
I most certainly would not be all upset and have my panties all bunched like this person intentionally did something to hurt my horse/dog.
It says a ton that this neighbor came over and apologized again later on.
[QUOTE=spotted draft x filly;7247962]
My dog who eats everything (like marley) is recovering from another bout of an upset stomach. My DH laughed at me for saying something, but it’s not fair to the dog to get sick again because someone thought they would be nice. Plus with all the crazy people out there feeding tainted treats, um no.
We live in a townhome with a shared back yard. DH bought a tie out thinking she would be happier spending a little more time relaxing in the sun. I’m glad she won’t do it again, but I’m sure if it was your horse you would react the same way[/QUOTE]
You mean, if someone apologized and made me cookies, I’d continue to rant about it?
Hmm. I might do that, But I’d be ashamed of it and hope that some day I’d grow up.
I’d make a little sign to sit out with the dog that says “Please don’t feed the dog” maybe with a little explanation…
it would be so much easier than training any of my dogs not to take a treat! LOL
Could you give the neighbor a bag of treats and have her use those to feed the dog? Perhaps if she becomes comfortable with the dog, you could let the dog loose in the shared backyard (with her permission), instead of having to tie the poor dog out.
[QUOTE=spotted draft x filly;7247962]
DH bought a tie out thinking she would be happier spending a little more time relaxing in the sun. I’m glad she won’t do it again, but I’m sure if it was your horse you would react the same way[/QUOTE]
I think the dog owner has some responsibility. Just last week, I was walking my dogs on the sidewalk where we encountered an unattended puppy staked out in its front yard. Puppy barked and aggressed. I stood still and waited for the pup’s noise to draw the owner out. No luck. Puppy could nearly reach sidewalk as it charged repeatedly. I hoped the stake would hold.
Finally, I made a leap of faith. I tossed a kibble at the puppy then scooted my dogs by as quickly as I could. I have a dog with food allergies so I wondered if the pup would have GI upset. I also wondered if the owner knew she was teaching her pup to be aggressive. I can’t wait for the adult version <eye roll>.
akb there isn’t a fence
