I have a lab/pit mix that is 2yrs old. She is a very friendly dog, she stays in a fenced in yard during the day while myself and my husband are at work. Last week, we had this new couple move in next door. And now everyday when we get home there are new "toys" in our yard. So they keep throwing toys over the yard. My dog has enough toys that we get her, and also she has stopped eating her food. I put food out in the morning for her when we leave, and when I get back in the evening the food is there untouched. Is there are law against my neighbors "meddling" in my dogs life?

Is she barking because she misses her mommy and daddy? If so, your neighbors might be trying to bribe her with toys to keep her quiet. Just a thought. If I were you, I would politely ask your neighbors to stop providing your dog with toys because you are trying to train her and you do not want her to be distracted or harmed by possibly choking on something they've given her. I don't know where you live but if it's cold outside you might want to bring your dog inside where it's warm. I know my dogs tend to bark more when it's cold outside.

Leaving a dog in a fenced yard has long been common, but may not be that good of an idea. Barking, boredom, inclement weather, escaping, theft, etc. are all problems, plus it is vulnerable to all sorts of abuse. What are you feeding it, and are you careful to select safe toys? How much are they feeding it? I think they have no more business messing with your dog than say deciding your house needs painting, and painting it.

There is vehement disagreement here on what constitutes a proper diet for a dog, but I think all the others will back me on the idea that a dog needs a carefully selected diet to provide complete and balanced nutrition and not so much of it you can't easily feel the ribs. Usually a Lab or Lab mix, uninterested in its food, is a grossly over fed dog on its way to a shorter life. Whether it is barking or not, they have no business messing with your dog. If barking is a problem, they should take other steps. You are obligated to prevent your dog from disturbing your neighbors. They are obligated to leave it alone.

Confronting them is more a people problem than a dog problem. I do not claim any special talents at people problems. If anything, I would be too likely to start with ''You messa with my dog, and I messa with your face!''. Maybe others can make better suggestions. I will stick to describing the problems and other solutions where I have extensive training and experience.

What sorts of toys are they giving the dog? Most of the stuff from the pet store should never be given to a strong chewing dog, and certainly never unsupervised. A friend was operated on today for an obstructed bowel. I am not sure if I should tell his daughter to cut off her dad's rawhides as a joke.
Many dogs are operated on to remove a chunk of rawhide. My dogs are never left outside when I am not around, but I would be very upset if I caught somebody giving them food or toys.

I feel best about a dog left by itself being in a crate, but I think 4-5 hours is as long as it should go without a break. If nobody can make it home over lunch, perhaps you could find a trustworthy neighbor or a professional dog walker to give it a mid day break. I like doggy day care too.