does anyone use contractors to mow their yard?

[dpenning]

My hubby brought up a good point to me last night. He asked me what will happen when we have a new puppy and the guys come in to mow the yard. With my current dogs it is not a problem, they just run outside, bark at them a couple times then run back in the doggie door. How do you handle it with a mastiff?! We are not always home when they come to mow.

 

[PuppyPaws]

Very good question. I will let others with experience in this, answer. I would say that first off, it would be very important to find a good breeder to ensure the best possible chances of getting a pup with the best temperment.

 

[dpenning]

The the only breeder I've actually spoken with uses her dogs for therapy work and educational programs in school which gives me a good feeling as that is something I would like to do as well. But that being said, she said they are still guard dogs at heart and when a ups guy came into her yard her dogs didn't let them get very far. Didn't bite or anything but definitely got the guys attention and he stopped in his tracks. The yard guys usually come on Friday afternoons so after lunch I could close the doggie door. It may not even be a problem if they kind of grow up with each other. As a puppy I'm thinking she will be more afraid of the mowers and stuff than they will of her. As she grows they'll see her get bigger so hopefully they won't be too afraid of her.

 

[Caleb]

Sometimes I travel and my wife and I have discussed this same issue. If we need to hire people to mow the yard, we would have them do the front yard only. Strangers coming into the backyard is not an option at all. We were even told by the power company that the final push for them converting to the digital meters that can be read from the office, was our Cane Corso. Fact is, its not a good idea to put faith in a mastiff with a good temperament when it comes to the slight possibility of him biting someone who has authorization to be on your property. Sucks because even if someone breaks into your home, and is bit by your dog, the dog will have to be registered as a "biter", and if it happens again, the dog will be put down. You know your situation better than I, but I dont take any chances with my dog at all. Its for his protection as well. BTW, My friends Doberman is a registered "biter" because he got after a guy who was steeling his lawnmower and the guy got hurt running from the dog...didnt even get bit. Now a good dog has one more chance to stay alive. Terrible.

 

[dpenning]

Wow, we don't even own a mower any more since we both have allergies. Anyone else? I suppose I could mow the side yard where the doggie door goes into but what a hassle. This will take some consideration. Would love any additional input from others.

 

[PuppyPaws]

Could the dogs stay inside in a crate maybe just for the afternoon when the mowers will be there???

 

[dpenning]

Yeah, that was an option I mentioned earlier is just come home at lunch and close the doggie door. The mowers almost always come after lunch but we never really know when they are going to show up. Often it is Friday night while we are out to dinner. We have some time since I don't want to get a pup until Nov/December timeframe so I'll start paying better attention to when they come.

 

[Cody]

I have a company come in the winter to scoop poop. I know when it gets to -40 I won't be outside
I know the day and time they come and the dogs are ALWAYS in the house when that happens.
No one comes into our yard without permission, locks on gates.

 

[PuppyPaws]

Sounds like that might work. I have a feeling if you have a good relationship with the contractors and they find out that you will have a mastiff, they would be willing to work with you and stick to a schedule for mowing. If they do a lot of this type of work, they probably have already run into some dog issues. It reallly is in everyone's best interest to come when expected. I really think its great you are planning so early for this dog. That's Awesome. More people should do such.

 

[Dogue]

What type of mastiff do you have? I would keep your dog inside the house or if you're at work and can't come home I'd kennel him in a dog run with chain and lock while your lawn is getting mowed. However, if you need to kennel your dogs often while you're not at home to prevent them from doing what is natural (i.e. protecting home and property) you probably shouldn't have a guard dog. Just a side note, if someone, be it mailman, ups driver, vacuum cleaner salesman, came into my yard (6 ft. fence with chain and lock) or house without permission and Miel didn't knock the person down and/or hold him down by brute strength or biting I would say that's not proper temperament.

 

[dpenning]

What type of mastiff do you have? I would keep your dog inside the house or if you're at work and can't come home I'd kennel him in a dog run with chain and lock while your lawn is getting mowed. However, if you need to kennel your dogs often while you're not at home to prevent them from doing what is natural (i.e. protecting home and property) you probably shouldn't have a guard dog. Just a side note, if someone, be it mailman, ups driver, vacuum cleaner salesman, came into my yard (6 ft. fence with chain and lock) or house without permission and Miel didn't knock the person down and/or hold him down by brute strength or biting I would say that's not proper temperament.

I don't have one yet, still trying to determine if it is the right dog for me. Thanks for your input.

 

[Cody]

What type of mastiff do you have? I would keep your dog inside the house or if you're at work and can't come home I'd kennel him in a dog run with chain and lock while your lawn is getting mowed. However, if you need to kennel your dogs often while you're not at home to prevent them from doing what is natural (i.e. protecting home and property) you probably shouldn't have a guard dog. Just a side note, if someone, be it mailman, ups driver, vacuum cleaner salesman, came into my yard (6 ft. fence with chain and lock) or house without permission and Miel didn't knock the person down and/or hold him down by brute strength or biting I would say that's not proper temperament.

Yup I agree, they are supposed to be working breeds, guardian breeds.
That is why my gate is locked and my door is deadbolted (that and our Boxer can and has, opened the front round door knobs to let himself out for a stroll).
I also DO NOT leave my dogs in the yard when I am not at home, I am WAY too paranoid to do that.

 

[Caleb]

Yup I agree, they are supposed to be working breeds, guardian breeds.
That is why my gate is locked and my door is deadbolted (that and our Boxer can and has, opened the front round door knobs to let himself out for a stroll).
I also DO NOT leave my dogs in the yard when I am not at home, I am WAY too paranoid to do that.

We have actually gotten away from leaving the dog in the yard as well. We are lucky enough to be able to trust him alone in the house. He is very good. We have left him alone in the house for over 6 hours once.

 

[AKBull]

I remember years back when I had my EM and BM. They had free roam of the back yard and I would come home for lunch. Well, one day I come home and as I'm about to turn the corner to my street, I see the gas co. guy leaping over the front fence. He cleared the 4' fence with inches to spare. Not a second later here comes dumb and dumber in full persuit. I get to the house and guy is gasping for air "those your dogs?!" ayup "you need to put a sign on the fence!" you mean like the sign right there that you jumped over? ... "can you put them in the house please..". The front and back yards were seperated by wooden fence divider. He opened it. Surprise!

Sorry this doesn't address your post, but it just brought back that memory.