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@Bao: We have a German Shepherd mix. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but German Shepherds are known escape artists. I don't think there is anything you can do except for hope for the best. I would think if you made a show of bringing her back every day and mentioned the windows / doors thing, they would hopefully do the neighborly thing and at least attempt to address it. Our Shepherd can easily jump a 6 foot fence (and has!!!).

Training made the biggest difference for our girl. Shepherds LOVE boundaries and thrive with firm guidance.

What do you think about giving a "new dog" present with an information tag and a book on German Shepherds?

https://www.amazon.com/German-Shepherds-Dummies-Caroline-Coile/dp/0764552805

ETA: Get some treats. Shepherds are super smart and ours can learn a new command in about a day. You could probably teach the dog the up / down command pretty fast and address the window thing.

I would just tell them that you're worried he's going to get hit by a car and ask them if he's jumping over the fence or managing some other escape. With our older dog our fence was too low so we ended up installing an electric fence as a second fence and that stopped the jumping. With our younger dog, she was super creative and we've had to figure out how she escapes.

Some of it is just the pups age but I'd tell them every time it happens (can you have them come get her or are they not home?) so they realize how frequently it's going on and figure out what the pup needs.

Maybe the next time you have to bring her back over, tell them that you saw a close call that she almost got hit? Maybe that will sound the alarm in them...

@Bao: Acck! Do they know that?!

@Bao: Ugh that is so awful I mean; once in a blue moon, it can happen; my dog as a puppy as totally ran off/escaped too, but we were running after her looking for her like crazy people!

@Bao: Dang. These people should absolutely not have dogs, especially a highly intelligent, sensitive, active breed like a German.

If the dog does not have access to water/shelter it is something you can call animal control about - they will leave notice on the house that they were there.

With regard to getting out. Ugh...we deal with our neighbors dog who is not contained (they stopped using the electric fence over a year ago). The dog has no concept of the street. I'm terrified my LO is going to witness the dog getting hit.

Anyways - everytime there is an incident I let the owner know...it hasnt done anything yet but I'm hoping eventually she gets the hint. In your case, Id get their number, I'd just say "I cant bring her back easily with two kids at home - so I'll call you when she wanders into my yard".

In most cities dogs are required to be on leashes or contained - you could look into that and mention it to the husband and COP...

I agree to tell them you can't bring the dog back all the time but will call to tell them. Maybe when the responsibility is on them they will try to keep her home a little better.
This does make me very sad for the dog. Our neighbor was lax about keeping his dogs in the yard and one was hit and killed. Same thing with our old neighbor's cat but she snuck into our house a couple times and almost got eaten by our dog before she got hit by a car. So sad

I'd call animal control. The dog deserves to be protected and if the family isn't taking proper care of the dog, they don't deserve to have it.

I've had issues with a neighbor's dog and after two years of frustration, I finally looked up our town's bylaws. Apparently they were in violation of many of them, particularly that the dog was unattended when outside. Then barking, chasing and nipping at the heels of everyone who walked by. I contacted animal control, and they checked it out immediately. They went over to the house, gave them a copy of the bylaws, and I haven't seen the dog outside on his own since!

Yep. Animal control time. My other inclination is to steal that dog.

ETA: Just so no one thinks I'm nuts, I wouldn't actually steal the dog unless it became a dire situation and animal control did nothing.

@mrsjd: yeah, dog theft was also my reaction to reading this thread. she deserves better (and sounds like she's looking for it from the OP!)

@Bao: but in the real world vs fantasy world, I'd call animal control and alert them about the broken gate/loose pet since these fools won't get their act together and are putting the puppy in danger.

I would not hesitate to call animal control in this case, I have done it before when neighbours were leaving their dog in the condo for the whole weekend and it would bark and cry anytime someone was in the hall

Next time the dog was on my property, I would call the precinct where the husband works and ask them to leave a message for him, since I didn't have his number, to come get his dog and fix the fence

People who get dogs just to let them live outside, alone, drive me crazy. What's even the point of having a pet if you ignore it?? I'm sure that's why their previous dog barked all the time.

Honestly, I'd be super tempted to take it to the shelter. A young puppy like that is sure to get adopted and it doesn't sound like the neighbor would care enough to look for it.

Realistically though, you should just talk to the neighbor. Tell them the dog is at your house constantly, is jumping on your door/window, and you're upset about it. Let them know that if they don't keep the dog contained that you'll call someone about it. It sounds harsh, but letting the dog run around isn't safe for the dog, drivers, or people walking in the neighborhood.

I don't think telling him you are concerned about the dogs safety is going to do much. They obviously don't see so concerned about that. I would put it more that you don't want the dog on your property. Say that if they don't you contact the police... I'm assuming he's a local cop and wouldn't want to be talked to my a coworker or boss about neglecting his dog.

Unfortunately our neighbors' cute, but annoying escape artist got hit two weekends ago. She had to be put down. It was so sad for the dog, the drivers, the owners and us, since it all happened right in front of our house. In the past when she escaped, we always took her home and these owners cared. They tried everything, including a 10-foot enclosure but eventually the dog and her partner in crime dug under and got out anyway. They are now putting their other escape artist on a shock collar. Sad but he just narrowly avoided getting hit when the other one did. It's just my opinion but DH and I feel that dog owners should do whatever it takes! Even owners who care a lot might have an uncontrollable situation, but if I thought my neighbors were being careless (letting a puppy unsupervised outside, let alone wandering, is careless to me! Just my opinion!!) it would not be something I could let slide. Especially after the sad death of our neighbor's wanderer etched in our hearts and minds....we would feel compelled to make them (and help them) be better owners. If they resisted, we would let them know we were reporting it to animal control....which is harsh but the right thing in my mind if they don't care.