One of these:

Shoot the dog with an air rifle (BB or pellet with a flat tip).

Collect any "deposits" from neighbors dog and return to owners (on fire if desired).

Call the local dog catcher next time the dog is on your front yard.

Put the fence up.

If the trees are on his side nothing you can really do there. The most reasonable action would be the installation of a fence. Since most outdoor activity occurs when the garden is going I wouldn't mess with another row of trees there.

I agree with the gun idea, especially if the dog came over and attacked my dog - I'd shoot it to wound, and have the neighbor come over and get it and have the 5,000 vet bill - that should end any and all incursions. I wouldn't put up a fence unless the neighbor is a dim-bulb and won't keep the dog out even after repeated conversations. You can't do anything about the limbed-up trees.

Dan

Shoot the dog with an air rifle (BB or pellet with a flat tip).
I'd hate to hurt the dog (their furbaby), and would really fear some worse retaliation toward my dogs. I was not told that my dogs go onto their property, but was told that my dogs go near their dog, (property line) taunting their dog) because it can't cross the electronic fence without getting a bad shock.

Collect any "deposits" from neighbors dog and return to owners (on fire if desired).
There really are no problem deposits. What with my 3 dogs, I don't know who deposited what, where...lol

Call the local dog catcher next time the dog is on your front yard.
Their policy is to place a trap in the yard of the resident complaining....often several days after getting the complaint call. That would do nothing but catch my dogs in it.

Put the fence up.
I'm leaning toward that, and even have some rolls of old rusty stuff...perfect for the invasive honeysuckle, that is everywhere here to climb on, thus making the wire fence somewhat private. I've also thought about planting some native hazelnuts just on my side that would be good for the wildlife and with a lot of luck, I may get a few nuts too.

I wouldn't put up a fence unless the neighbor is a dim-bulb and won't keep the dog out even after repeated conversations.
I'd just as soon not have to have any more conversations, unless it is just to let them know what I'm doing as I put up fence and maybe make plantings. The 'wife' was the one that really ripped into me with the most recent phone call. Husband has always been nice and even thankful and apologetic in the past. Possible he too, now is 'tiffed' with me since wife went on such a rant.

You can't do anything about the limbed-up trees.
That's what I thought....sigh

I didn't mention in my initial post, that I was in tears on the phone while she ripped into me, and I was the one apologizing and explaining that I didn't want our dogs to cause trouble between us as neighbors.

I did not mention that their dog was off their property and on to mine by 400 FEET!

I didn't mention to her (neighbor) that it would might be in the best interest of their dog, if they cared about it, to just be thankful I called as sometime their dog 'could' get severely hurt if my 3 dogs really ganged up on it, defending themself (themselves) and their 'territory, iykwim.

If it is simply a matter of keeping the special collar batteries on hand, and replacing it when I call, what on earth is their big beef about? Why have the electronic fence if they aren't going to keep the battery replaced so it will work to contain their dog to both keep it safe, and keep it from possibly being a dangerous nuisance to me, furbabies, or even possibly others?

The one time I pulled in their drive (a couple of years ago) and headed toward their front door, the dog growled at me, and I slowly backed away, and back to my vehicle. I would never trust it, at their house or at mine. A stun gun has come to mind, but if 2, 3, or 4 dogs were in a fighting freezy, I'd be afraid of stunning one of mine. Are stun guns even available to the average person? Legal here?

The problem happens most often when I am working in a daffodil bed on the east side of my yard, where the dog can see me and my dogs for hours. Often it will just sit at the edge of its range and give a slow and constant bark, bark, bark for hours which makes me nearly nuts. I imagine it sitting there might be causing the collar to beep a warning for hours, thus causing it to go dead....thus the trouble starts!

Maybe I should make them aware that if their dog injures one of mine in any way, on my property, that they 'will' be responsible for any and all vet bills.

"I'd hate to hurt the dog (their furbaby), and would really fear some worse retaliation toward my dogs. I was not told that my dogs go onto their property, but was told that my dogs go near their dog, (property line) taunting their dog) because it can't cross the electronic fence without getting a bad shock."

Well that is the great thing about BB and flat tipped pellets (under low pressure). They don't break the skin.

with 400 feet ... plant your own new line of trees ON YOUR PROPERTY ...

file a police report about the dog ...

that is the solution to the tree issue ... in the tree forum ... i am not sure about the non-tree suggestions ... lol .. but if it makes you fell better to vent ... go for it ...

ken

lol cheryl do you eat meat? Do you know how animals are slaughtered? And you think a little bb shot is gonna cause physical and/or psychological damage to the dog?

Shooting anything with the methods I described sting for a bit but are not permanent. I have been shot with a bb gun several times when I was young and dumb. Not gonna leave a mark, neighbors will not know anything happened (lawsuit lol no way), and dog will think twice before coming over again.

Easiest solution still is to put the fence up, but I would shoot any dog or any other critter that messed with my pets if they ventured onto my property. Just because an animal is doing what comes natural to them DOES NOT mean it is OK to do on your property lol

Thank you all. I think a quick inexpensive fence separating our properties on that side might be the best thing for now. I can consider what additional to plant between now and fall or next spring.

I know White Pines are fast growing, but might there be as good as or better choices from the list at the link below? maybe some staggered trees and hazelnuts? Might Red Pine, or Virginia Pine also be good options? Others?

but if it makes you fell better to vent ... go for it ...
Thanks...I'm feeling a bit better after considering the options.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trees for wildlife food and cover, etc

400' of lawn?

You need to start planting more trees and conifers!

I second calling the sheriff.

I love dogs but have a low tolerance for angry dogs in residential settings.

Buy a few dozen batteries and give them to your neighbor as a gift to keep the dog collar working. Tell them you are afraid of their dog and are buying a pistol. I recommend one of these compact shotgun shell firing "judge" revolvers if you can find one. Excellent for short distance defense.

This is not an animal cruelty issue when my safety is involved. Poorly trained over aggressive dogs are the result of stupid owners. Don't go hunting it, but you have a responsibility to yourself.

Just be friendly and look afraid of the dog.

***********************

About the trees, have your property professionally mapped before you do too much. In my yard there are fragments of the boundary markers. If I was in a dispute over what was where I would want to know for sure.

Oh, and yes, plant more trees! Some bushes might even fill in the spot if the line ends up being on your side.

400' of lawn?
No, it is cropland and that piece coupled with adjoining property behind my back yard is rented to a farmer. If I make additional plantings, it will cut into the acreage agreed upon, just as if all of a sudden I decided I needed more yard and claimed some of the crop land.

Will reply more later...gotta run for now.

Thanks again to all.

Buy a few dozen batteries and give them to your neighbor as a gift to keep the dog collar working.

It is between $5 and $10 for a pack of 2 batteries, but I did consider buying and giving them one pack (of 2) anyway in good faith.

The fence is the answer, as long as it is good enough.

If they have nice tall pines, some smaller flowering trees with nice fall foliage and flowering bushes would contrast very nicely against the evergreen background. Have fun with it :)

That fence provide a much needed peace of mind for your gardening.

Good luck!

I'd go with a fence. Potential for retaliation against your digs is too high.

Besides, dogs don't know about property lines/ownership, and if their boxer mix can come on your and attack your elderly lab, it stands to reason that:

1.) Your dogs aren't contained behind a fence, so they can potentially wander off-grounds, though perhaps thus far they haven't.

2.) A stray dog or pack of same could come around and do the same sort of thing that boxer mix did.

Fencing costs money, but then, peace of mind often does.

Richard.

Hi Chemocurl, a wire fence is a good idea for the dog. On your side of the fence, if you can give up some of the field from the farmer, I would plant a privacy screen or living fence, probably a couple rows of evergreen and deciduous trees, and then inside that a mix of native and ornamental shrubs.

I have 6 American hazelnuts (Corylus americana) that have been growing from seedlings and are about 5-6 years old now. This is a nice shrub, grows pretty fast, and flowers young and early in the Spring. Another great native shrub is American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). This grows very fast for a shrub and flowers young, which is really gratifying especially since I have yet to see a flower on the Dogwoods which are the same age. It suckers so you could create a living fence. The berries are fabulous, and any berries you don't harvest will be eaten by a parade of many species of birds that love the fruit.

1. Positively identify where your property line is located & whose side the trees are on. Then request no more pruning if they are on your side, put your fence in the same line as the trees, or interplant smaller bushes/evergreens/trees in the same line as the existing trees, keep quiet if they are on the neighbor's.

2. Bushes or trees will not block the dog from visiting you. It will require a fence. They will improve privacy and look more attractive than a fence, at the cost of some of the land you have rented out if you can't put them in the same line as the existing trees, but only a fence will keep the dog out. You might speak to the husband about splitting the cost of the fence. Around here, when fencing a property line, you stand on the line looking out. The half of the property line on your right is your responsibility, when the neighbor does the same, the part to his right (your left) is his responsibility. This is usually resolved by one person buying the materials, the other putting the fence in. Works out to 1/2 and 1/2. If the neighbor won't work with you to solve the problem, put up the ugliest fence you can create that will still be effective, then plant a screen to hide the fence from your view and let the neighbor enjoy it.

3. Your state may differ, but in my state, you have a right to protect your property and livestock. If the neighbor's dog attacks and harms your dog on your property, the neighbor is responsible for the vet bills and all damages. It is neighborly to warn the neighbor that their dog is wandering, and sometimes you have to make it clearer that you will take all necessary action to protect your property, but the neighbor is still responsible for the damages regardless. You may eliminate the neighbor's dog when he attacks your dog on your property. Here, the victim has a right to self defense and protection of property. Doesn't seem to be the case everywhere.

4. Foremost, make sure your dogs are trained not to roam off your property, which it sounds like they are. Otherwise, you are just as irresponsible as your neighbor.

Once again, I highly recommend that you do not take legal advice from a tree message board.

I can tell you from first hand experience that "putting up the ugliest fence you can create," while it sounds like a fun way to get revenge, it actually can get you sued, as it did with us and one of our neighbors we had a dispute with.
And as it turns out, it actually was a bona fide complaint as the owner can sue you for putting up an eyesore and claim damages for loss of property value and if they can prove that you did it on purpose to get revenge, which you obiously would be, then you could lose the case and it could cost you thousands of dollars.

If you cannot get your animal control or police department to resolve the problem, you need an actual lawyer to try to resolve this amicably. If you bypass this critical step and take matters into your own hands, you can also get sued and be found liable for not even trying to.

And once again, DO NOT. I repeat, DO NOT shoot their dog.
That is kicking and rolling around in a giant mound of fire ants.
It will NOT solve this problem, it WILL get you sued, they WILL do nasty things to get even with you and you will never feel safe in your house again. And that's if you're lucky and they don't shoot you first.

Don't forget, getting sued means spending thousands of dollars, yes thousands, on lawyers. And it may take years to ever get a judgment.

Take pictures and video of the dog on your property. This may be satisfactory evidence to have them cited for an unrestrained animal if a courtesy/warning letter doesn't suffice. Ask animal control for help.

Thank you all for your many ideas and valuable input. I appreciate it, and whatever I do, I will proceed with caution and try to handle it in the nicest way possible. I'm not looking for trouble and don't want to make enemies of those neighbors anymore than they are now.

I may be mistaken but it looks like now the dog no longer has the range to come beyond the trees and on to my property. I could be mistaken though, as it is quite a ways away, and would have to check it out further (some way) to know for sure. Possibly one or the other of them, (husband or wife) thought about the possible ramifications of their dog being dangerous to me, my dogs, and whoever else it might come across while it was out of its electronic confinement, roaming freely. I guess it is 'possible' that they will keep a good watch on the batteries getting low, as there is a low battery indicator, but I won't hold my breath on that and will be quite watchful, to protect myself and my furbabies.

I may ask if they would care to go in half on some sort of an inexpensive wire fence, under the trees, and then take it from there. Once a fence is in place, I can then concentrate on the planting for privacy as well as wildlife. Until there is a fence in place though, I would not even attempt to go near that property line, as big, scary, and possibly dangerous as that dog is. I wouldn't trust it to not cross the electronic boundary, and thus attack me. Even one attack would be too many for me.

Thanks again everyone.

Sue

"I may ask if they would care to go in half on some sort of an inexpensive wire fence, under the trees, and then take it from there."

I guess my parents' 'people-phobic' teachings had an impact, but let me ask this...do you really want to 'co-own' a fence with other people you don't even like that well?

Sometimes it's not practical to pay it all yourself. Were it me, I'd much prefer that than 'co-owning' a fence.

Richard.

Knowing what I know now, as hard as this may be to do, one possible first avenue I would explore is to welcome them to the neighborhood in person. Maybe bring them some little gift like a pie. Then ask "who's this I keep finding in my garden?" (referring to the dog) And at this point they should be pretty well disarmed. They might not even be aware of what's going on. After that I'm guessing they might be pretty receptive to changing something.

And I highly doubt it's the batteries. The dog is bored, probably never gets any stimulation or goes on any walks and knows that one quick little zap is worth it to get to go exploring and terrorizing the neighborhood. Humans underestimate dogs and how quickly they figure things out.

do you really want to 'co-own' a fence with other people you don't even like that well?
Well I figured I'd own the right half, facing the property line, and they would own the 'right half' when they were facing the line. I don't know why it would bother me about co-ownership...maybe because they could take their half down at any time? If so, I'd just build it back and I would own it all. As it is, if they own half, and I own the other half, it is going to have to switch from one side of the trees to the other side at the midpoint, since the trees are on the line. Is there something else to consider that I am missing?

one possible first avenue I would explore is to welcome them to the neighborhood in person.
It is too late for that as they have been there for several (not sure exactly how many) years. In the past, he asked, and I even allowed him to turkey hunt in my woods. No more though.

And I highly doubt it's the batteries. The dog is bored, probably never gets any stimulation or goes on any walks and knows that one quick little zap is worth it to get to go exploring and terrorizing the neighborhood. Humans underestimate dogs and how quickly they figure things out.
You could be right. When the dog sits there for hours on end, just sitting and barking in my direction when I am in site, they have never paid any attention to it in any way, or distracted it from just sitting and barking. It is like they are not even aware they have the dog and don't notice the incessant barking, even though it makes me feel like screaming.