Dog Problems

I’ll be the first to admit that Maya is a bit neurotic, she always has been.  We adopted her right after her first birthday from a family who kept her in their backyard the entire time they had her.  From the minute we brought her home she’s never left mine or Aaron’s side.  If I’m in the bedroom and Aaron’s in the bathroom Maya lays in the hall so she can be near us both.  Meanwhile Marley’s off in la la land stealing bananas off of the kitchen counter or making herself cozy on our bed (where she’s also not allowed).

Anyway, for whatever reason, Maya is very very protective of our yard.  When people walk by, especially with other dogs, she goes crazy.  She sprints from one side of the yard to the other barking like a psycho.  What’s strange though is that she’s not even fazed by some people.  I think she has gotten used to a few walkers, and one even tells her to “shhh” and she listens.  Meanwhile Marley’s off gnawing on a piece of bark, eating some grass, or ripping branches off of the apple tree oblivious.  

Well, yesterday someone in our neighborhood possibly our next door neighbor was walking by and Maya went crazy.  He proceeded to tell me “Well maybe if you took her out and ran her more she wouldn’t do that.”  I laughed a little and said, “Maybe, but even then I don’t think she’d be different” and he said, “Well it would get some of that energy out” and kept walking.  Thank you sir for the advice. 

Clearly he doesn’t know Maya.  She’s a yellow lab who, after incredibly long walks, is still insane yet is also a complete sweet pea when she warms up to you .  Maybe I’m just sensitive because I love Maya so much, or maybe it’s because I didn’t sleep the night before because said neighbor’s dog barked ALL NIGHT LONG while they were gone, or maybe it’s because this neighbor has not been my favorite ever since I caught them spraying Maya with their hose through the fence.  Whatever the reason is, this really annoyed me and it’s safe to say I won’t be heartbroken when their house finally sells.

Maya’s high energy is part of her personality and doesn’t really bother me.  Do any of you dog owners have suggestions for handling her barking fits at walkers though? Thank you for letting me vent, I'll be back with a meal plan tomorrow.