my neighbor

[roman]

i am so angry right now. i just got new neighbors about 2 weeks ago and the woman is always saying how cute niko is and how she wants to just take him away (the first time she said it jokingly) now things are getting more seriouse.

today she said that max shouldn't go out in the back yard anymore and niko should be in the backyard alone while i take max for a walk (i walk them at the same time) than she asked if she had permission to do "gardening work" around my backyard that may sound like a nice gesture but she dosent even garden her own lawn.

i cant stand it anymore! i really think she is trying to steal my dog!

what do you guys think?

i am so mad

[blues brothers]

ooh this is a real tricky one i feel for you having a neighbour like that you dont know if to trust them or not i wouldnt let your babe be in the back alone at any time especially if she has shown this much interests in your babe be careful she could be a genuine person and then she may not be its not worth taking any chances

[roman]

i dont know them at all. they saw me walking them one time and then after that it's been exactly what i wrote. i am not even putting max in the yard alone. i will take 6-7 walks a day if i have to. and no way would we have her do "yard work" in or aound my house.

[blues brothers]

ooh this is a horrible thing to happen to you,its not nice when total stangers take an intersts in your babes good on you for not letting her anywhere near your yard and if you have to walk more than your usual walks aday then go ahead it wont hurt your babes and it will give you reasurance that they are safe with you,is there anyone you know who could walk with you

[ginastags2315]

It's hard to tell... she might just be being nice, but she might really want to steal him. I wouldn't leave him in the yard alone. If you can, you should probably take Max and Niko for walks together... that way there's no chance of her getting Niko. IMO, it seems like she really would steal him. If things get worse with her, you might want to call the police... even if there's no proof of her actually wanting to steal him, it might scare her enough to leave you alone.

[Cassiepeia]

Keeping a record of who she is and what interest she has in Niko might be a good idea too. In case something happens you will have her name to give the police.
As has been said before, she could just be like us and want to spend time with him, or she could actually want to steal him. Given that pet theft is common these days I would put it past anyone. I agree that if she gets more intrusive perhaps calling the police and at least letting them know about your concerns could be a good idea.

In the mean time, why not have a talk to her about him. Brag about him a bit and mention how devastating it would be if you lost him and how disgusted you are with the scum that steal people's furry family members. Perhaps that will make her back off a bit? Or at least think twice. I hope, if theft is in her mind, she at least has a little compassion in her.

Cass.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Is Niko microchipped? That won't ensure that you get him back if she steals him (I overheard a vet tech at the vet we go to telling someone how her little Chi that was microchipped and had tags, and even a sweater on was stolen. She got out of the yard for a couple minutes and some neighbors picked her up. The tech was NEVER able to get her dog back because the police wouldn't go in to check the dog's microchip!), but it would help.

You need to write down and date these things you've observed/heard so far using objective statements (not "the creepy next door neighbor lady..." ) and be very descriptive. Make sure you have photos of Niko handy, too.

And it goes without saying that Niko shouldn't ever be left in the backyard. Is it possible to lock your gates? And do you have any neighbors you do know that you could tell the story you just told us, so they're kind of a witness that you had no intention of giving Niko to her?

Be careful!

[roman]

i always walk max and niko together. when they were in the back yard they were together. no way would i trust niko alone in the yard alone he is the type that will come to you when called but if he doesnt know you well enough he will run the other way

he is microchipped as of 3 months ago

i will keep a log like you suggested and will be telling my other neighbors who have dogs.

thanks you guys, you really know how to help when it comes to bad things. i really hope she isnt some crazy woman that will just steal a dog and she just wants to see and play with him once in a while....under supervision

[KennelMom]

I think, usually people who are going to steal someone's dog don't usually warn them about it. They just steal it. I think she's probably just teasing you a little bit. I joke all the time with people (my regular boarders) that I'm just going to keep their dog one of these days...obviously I'm just joking, but it's my way of telling them I really like their dog.

I really hope your pup isn't in any danger. You may want to say something about it to her...that, even if it is a joke, it bothers you when she says X, Y, Z .

[Sayuri]

I'd like to think she's not serious as well, but - at least from the way it sounds here - her statements come off as a bit bizarre. Who's business is it but yours when Niko gets walked and whether or not he gets walked alone?

I like the ideas that other posters have provided - definitely don't leave him alone, keep your gate secured, and let her know that your yardwork is getting done just fine. Microchips and a record of the statements made sound good as well. Better to be safe than sorry!

[AVA]

Don't you have a fence? I wouldn't let that neighbor anywhere near my animals, I feel like you do, I think she wants to steal your dog.
Besides, your not obligated to be nice to her just because she's your neighbor, just moving in two weeks ago, hmmmm, is it a rental?
Lock the doors, report anything suspicious and keeps notes. Ok, so now I'm in panic mode for you, does that help? Just kidding, but seriously I would not trust a new neighbor so soon.

[roman]

well sofar i havent seen my neihbor since posting this well actually i should say i havent seen their car so i dont know if they went away or something.

of course i have a fence lol it is a big white one that you cant even see through and it has 2 doors that are always locked.

i think the reason i was mostely mad was because when does a brand new neighbor really talk to some one like that?

[trainingrixie]

she sounds like a whacko to me! I'd punch her in the face! j/k! (kind of kidding i mean.hehehe) But you have to be careful not to tick her off by saying the wrong thing cuz that might antagonize her and make her thieve niko. Just stay on your toes and keep track of incidents as everyone has already said.

[mrsgrubby]

I sure hope you have told your parents all about this. It is very scary!