You find someone in your yard playing with your dog; how do you react?

[Sporky111]

This is a question that popped into my mind as I was working last week. I was delivering surveys door-to-door. I live in a rural area, and most people have a dog or two, so most places I went I'd be greeted by one or more friendly dogs that just demanded some attention. But one in particular made me stop and think.

I was on my way back to the car; there was nobody home at the house. And this dog walks in front of me and drops his ball. I give it a throw, and then I think to myself "what if the people who live here had just arrived and seen that?"

It strikes me as a very interesting question. On the one hand, this person is tresspassing and possibly suspicious. On the other, they are doing something really harmless. I want to know what you'd do.

So here's the scenario: as you arrive home, you see someone in your yard. You don't know this person, but they're playing with your dog. What do you do?

 

[Mr. Fancy Pants]

Say G'Day, have a chat, then let them get on with their day.

 

[Littlee300]

Tell me mom. Get something out of the fridge. Unconsciously pick up a knife for protection. (only if they are in my back yard or somethin') Sounds about right

 

[nukethetuna]

I inform them that all turds made on the sidewalk are his responsibility to clean while he entertains my pup!

I... I actually don't have a dog. Actually I'm very afraid of them.

 

[SonofaJohannes]

Equip my dog with lasers, for safety purposes of course.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Keep an eye on them, of course, but I'd probably go out into the yard just in case. If they're acting friendly enough, there's probably nothing to worry about.

I'm not a dog owner, though. I do suspect my cat would be friendly with more neighborhood people, but the only ones who usually walk by are also walking dogs, so I haven't had the opportunity to see.

 

[New Troll]

Hot female = join in with the games
Child = laugh my approval
Weird dude = treat them like a weird dude
Anyone else = ignore them, go inside and grab a cherry coke... home at last.

 

[emeraldrafael]

Thread title is kinda confusing since you're missing the one.

OT: immediately go on a defensive nature, ready to react at the second's notice and make some idle chit chat, trying to figure out who they are, why they're in my yard, and why my dog is playing iwth them.

 

[Pinky]

I've had kids come into my backyard and play with my dog... and she subsequently goes into their backyards and plays with them |D.
I don't mind... when she was a puppy I only exposed her to experienced dog people so she's good with all people.
(With the exception of the one time when I was walking her near a school and suddenly there was a child swarm. Happiest day of her life ever o_o)

 

[000Ronald]

That happened to me once, actually. My dog, Sirius, was playing with two little kids from across the street.

Of course, the thing about Sirius was that he was as big as I was, and strong enough to snap a steel chain (which he'd done). He also dragged my 300-odd pound friend around like a rag doll, abet on accident.

I was a little worried at first, but...seeing it made me happy. I didn't like having him chained out back, and it made me feel good that there was someone who wasn't afraid of him.

Then a different neighbor killed him. He managed to say something about "allergies" between my mother and sister screaming at him.

 

[linkx323]

My dogs would bite the hell out of them. i'll feel bad that they got hurt but if you're dumb enough to Go back there then you deserved it.

 

[kwyjibo22]

That happened to me once, actually. My dog, Sirius, was playing with two little kids from across the street.

Of course, the thing about Sirius was that he was as big as I was, and strong enough to snap a steel chain (which he'd done). He also dragged my 300-odd pound friend around like a rag doll, abet on accident.

I was a little worried at first, but...seeing it made me happy. I didn't like having him chained out back, and it made me feel good that there was someone who wasn't afraid of him.

Then a different neighbor killed him. He managed to say something about "allergies" between my mother and sister screaming at him.

Holy shit. Talk about a crazy story. What'd you do to him?

OT: I'll go with it being kids, and I'll just chuckle a little bit. It seems nicer than whatever the hell happened with Ronald.

 

[Sarge034]

I would wonder how they got my dog out of my house.....

Off topic- Whoa. I thought my captcha said "terminate you" and I was scared. Then I did a double take and saw it said "ternamet you".

 

[Kaymish]

wonder how i ended up with a dog then .. eww yck thats just not right

 

[Craorach]

"Get off my property."

Same thing I do to anyone I do not know and/or invite onto my land.

At least door to door salesmen have the fact that they are paid to be there, they get slightly more polite treatment (Will you please... ), anyone else gets one chance before I call the police.

 

[Aphex Demon]

Unless they were at my house for a purpose then I'd tell them to run along.

If they came to do a survey or whatever I wouldn't mind.

 

[latenightapplepie]

Wonder when and how I acquired a dog.

If I did have one, I don't think such an event would bother me. Most people are nice to dogs. And if I've raised the dog properly, it should be nice back.

 

[pieguy259]

"Why is that guy playing with my dog? And since when did I have a dog? Is this my house?"