My dog is a neighborhood nuisance!
Okay---- so I have this dog. He is INCREDIBLY smart, and also VERY large (Irish Wolfhound/Mastiff). He has learned to open doors, windows, gate latches, etc in his great need for adventure. He's great if I ever need help finding my way out but my neighbors aren't very happy with his "wandering" (which I can completely understand). They've called the cops on him once in the past (4-5 months ago, if it matters) because I had left him inside while I took a quick run to grab some food... for him. He "escaped" and was lounging on the neighbors back porch and apparently pooped in their yard. So, she called the cops. The cops came and put him in the yard and left me with a warning. I promptly went to her house, cleaned up the mess and apologized profusely and she seemed fine with it.
SO, after installing new handles and latches... TODAY he apparently jumped through a SMALL 2nd floor bathroom window... and went back to Mrs. Neighbors back porch. And bless her heart, said he wouldn't let her out of the house. She said he was blocking the door and refused to let her leave and barked at her. I get it. He's a huge dog and the size alone can be intimidating. And yes, I know he barks at people, it's just the "hey, howya doin'?" bark, but I know, it doesn't matter. She was scared, I don't blame her. So, she called the cops on me---I was dead asleep at 5am when this happened. I didn't know what happened until AFTER the cops had left and I had time to digest all the information I was given. OH-Here's the kicker I know you've all been waiting for: they threatened to have animal control come out and confiscate him and possibly destroy him if it happened again because he's shown that he is aggressive (because he barked)
The question I'm trying to ask is:
A) How can I keep this dog in the house?
B) How can I NOT be a horrible irresponsible dog owner? (I promise, I'm not intentionally trying to be!)
C) can the cops really confiscate and possibly KILL my dog for barking at someone?
Please just give me thoughtful answers. Don't tell me I'm an A**hole for letting him run loose and terrorize. I don't.
And no kennel will fit him---believe me... I've tried.
If I have to, I will find him a new home... I hate to do that as he's already 3 years old, fully trained and I do kind of like him.