Before Smoo arrived we obviously puppy proofed our garden. We have a large garden which has two gates to it, both are Smoo proof but we discourage him from being around them.

Theres a lady who walks her dog past one of the gates and even though Ive asked she still calls Smoo to the gate encouraging him to jump up!!

Its really upsetting me, though I know he cannot get out alone I suppose Im a bit afraid someone may open the gate for him! I never leave him out in the garden alone so have always been there to ask her not to and to get Smoo away but Im just so fed up of having the same conversation with this women.

Im fast running out of tactful ways to tell her!

Can you borrow a noisy GSD or Rottie for a day? That may work and should give you a laugh.

put a sign up  or I would ignore her and call the dog in when she appears she will soon get the message , if you have asked her nicely and she  has ignored you, then you may have to be blunt.

The children in my avenue wouldnt leave my cat alone , I know they only wanted to stroke him but he wasnt fussed and it really got on my nerves I was worried that he would run into the road to get away . So I told then straight to leave him and now I just give them 'the look' I would give my own kids when I meant what I said. LOL

can you put a padlock on the gate and a great big sign 

Are you able to put a barrier across so that your dog can no longer reach the gate.

> can you put a padlock on the gate and a great big sign 

This would be my suggestion too

I would board the gate, it will help stop any barking at passersby and passing dogs as he gets older, and discourage people from approaching you dog and property.

Also if he can't be seen it reduces the security risk of him being stolen.

^ Agree with Brainless :-) Good luck.

smaller area than yours, but we padlock both of our gates.

I have always padlocked the gate too risky that someone might open it and dogs let our to be run over.

padlock and a electric wire on the top for encouraging people lol :D

> and a electric wire on the top

   

Nice one!!

Thank you for your replies, Ive bought a couple of padlocks now for both gates and as hubby has a day off today we are going to do something so Smoo cant even get near the gates .... hubby just doesnt know it yet lol!!

beckah  -keeping the gates locked is a very good idea. I know of a dog was being looked after by a friend of the family for the holidays. Someone had left a gate open and it got out and run down and killed. Strange dog in strange garden maybe increased the risk but it isn't a chance I would be willing to take. I would always be worried sick if the gates were open or shut.

Ailsa