Our neighbors around the corner have a black lab that they have been trying to keep inside their back fence for months now. But, she always digs her way out and stays in our front yard.
Everytime we go in and out our fenced in back yard, this dog is constantly there... waiting for her chance to get in!

The other day, I heard a commotion in the backyard, and apparently the dog had dug her way INSIDE our backyard!!!
So we finally got her out and filled in the area that she got in from... and tonight she was back in again! She dug yet another hole under the fence.

It is really weird bc her owners can't seem to keep her IN their fence for digging out... and we can't keep her OUT of our fence from digging her way in.

I think that the owner has cancer, and she is unable to keep up with her dog...and I think that lately she must not be doing so well bc her dog has been around here for over a week now.. where as in the past she usually sends her husband around here to fetch the dog when she gets out.

At the moment, the doggy is sitting on our back door steps peeping through the window. I finally decided that maybe she is hungry, so I fed her something.

Another strange thing is... when my husband went out earlier to take the trash out, she followed him all around the backyard, and at one point even brought him an empty water bottle to put in the trash!

It is quite evident that this dog is super smart! And I just can't understand why she is persistant in wanting to be around my family, especially going through added effort to dig her way IN our backyard! Might I add too that we do have 3 children (ages 9 yr old twins and an 11 yr old). I don't know if this breed of dog is attracted to children.. but it appears to be the case as well

Does anyone have any ideas as to maybe why she has adopted us? I don't have much experience with being a dog owner or haven't been around dogs alot (mostly cats)... so I don't really know much about them, as far as behavior.

Thanks!

Sounds to me that she is craving attention that her current owners aren't able to provide her. Dogs are extremely social animals that need to be included as valued members of a family group. They need the mental stimulation of new places, new people and novel situations. They need to walk and explore and interact in intensive games with both humans and dogs, and they need the opportunity to learn and face challenging situations. The rule is, the smarter the dog, the more he needs these things. Hope this helps David

Thank you, David, for your reply

She definately is doing all she can to be near my family everytime we go outside, so her seeking attention could be the reasoning behind it all, as you said. Of course, my kids play with her some when she is here.. and I pet her alot and talk to her hehe
She is to the point.. especially this week... where she sits in my driveway and everytime I arrive home, she jumps up and sits by my car door waiting for me to get out
And today when I drove off, she was trailing behind the car... then stopped a little ways, turned around and sat back in the driveway



I do know that I have never witnessed her owners walking her and things like that, so maybe that could be a factor as well... also they don't have any children, so maybe the fact that we do plays a role in it as well.

But, yes.. I agree that she is trying for some attention that she is possibly not getting by her owners.

She really isn't a bother... she is very playful and good natured. She appears to be well taken care of, so I think you are probably right

I think tomorrow I will go around to her owners house and make sure everything is ok, and let them know the weird things she has been doing LOL (not that I would be complaining bc she is really not a bother at all.. but I think that they will find it really amusing seeings as the whole 'digging out of their fence to get out and digging into our fence to get in' is just kinda funny in a way hehe).

Again... thanks bunches!! :-D

before this poor dog gets hit by a car & killed someone needs to take responsibility here.

if you are interested in taking the dog in as your own, they may be relieved if her health is bad. perhaps his is too & thats why he hasn't been coming after the dog.

sounds like a win win to me. you understand the dog cannot be outside without supervision as you know what she'll do if she is bored.

if you do decide to do that, make sure you get some sort of "bill of sale", something showing they gave you the dog. also, be sure to get the vet records - she may well be behind in vaccines etc. be sure to find out if she is spayed

if you are sure you don't want the dog then she should go to a shelter or rescue so she is off the street.

As far as myself adopting her... this is not my intention really. However, seeings as how she has made her way in the safe haven of my backyard once again tonight (which is where I will continue to allow her to stay until I speak with her owners tomorrow) I don't see any reason why we couldn't make this a permanent situation..provided her current owners express their inability to care for her any longer :-D


Otherwise... you are correct and I would not want to see her harmed in any way whatsoever. So, if I find that it's just that they have been too busy or not noticed her gone (which is hard for me to fathom your pet missing for days and not noticing it!).... then I will express to them the concern of her being hit by a car or something. If I find that they can no longer care for her and would like to find someone who would consider caring for her... I will then discuss my interest in her

I am really not sure if her owners know that she enjoys being here, and therefore are becoming less concerned with her running away bc of this or if there truly is an issue of question in that they just can't care for her any longer. But either way... they do need to make their intentions known bc if they are just letting her running away become a norm bc they know she is at my home, then this is not good bc as you said.. she definately needs to be off the streets. And if they cannot care for her any longer, then perhaps I could ease their concerns for her well-being by taking her in as I am strongly considering if the need be.


Hey, I have always wanted a Black Lab anyway hehe Maybe this is all happening for a reason! As well as she is just perfect for my kids to play with in the backyard! AND.. I could use a companion to go walk with me during the day Ahh listen at me... always getting my cart b4 my horses LOL

I will update as soon as I talk with her owner in the AM!

Thanks!!

Oh, I just wanted to add too that I hope I am not sounding too judgemental toward her current owners. They really try their best to keep her inside their fence, and have always been pretty prompt to catch her if she gets out.

I guess this is why I have become extra concerned.

Perhaps if she is really too much for them to handle, then I pray that I can help them by taking her in... as well as I am sure we would be able to provide to her what they are not able to.

Perhaps if she is really too much for them to handle, then I pray that I can help them by taking her in... as well as I am sure we would be able to provide to her what they are not able to


that was pretty much my point! lol just don't forget to do the things I told you to do. the paper transferring ownership is very important. get the vet records changed immediately & find out if she is microchipped & spayed

Kimmy, keep us informed on how this turns out. I wish the best for the dog and for your neighbor.

David