Naughty Dog Chronicles: Weekly Farm Update

Some days on a farm are the dream. 

You wake up with a great cup of coffee, feed the animals, and watch the day arrive before you. Then it’s on to the things you love: gathering food from the garden, collecting eggs, taking Rowan out for a little training, and riding him bareback to get him more comfortable with a rider.

Those are the days that remind us why we do the hard things — why we put up with harsh weather, plants that won’t thrive, or neighbors testing us with their “naughty” dogs. (Though honestly, naughty isn’t the right word here. Around here, “naughty” means stealing a bagel off your plate, not becoming aggressive with livestock.)

This past week started off just like that — great. My pet care business, All Around Adventures, has been thriving. New clients are coming in, my employees are finding their rhythm, and I’m needed less and less in town (about 30 minutes away). We have a new office, I’m getting my manager set up to handle the admin work, and things are growing in the right direction. On the farm, the animals were happy and healthy. No issues. But, as life goes, things can go a little sideways.

One morning, I came out to find a chicken stuck between our fence and the neighbor’s fence. (We built double fencing after their dogs attacked my sister’s puppy.) I motioned for my husband to stay quiet so we wouldn’t draw attention from the dogs. It was a blessing she was even alive. But then I noticed something: the black “blob” next to her wasn’t trash — it was a dog, guarding her like a prize it had claimed.

My husband managed to shove the chicken back through to our side. She was in rough shape — mauled with deep gashes under her wings, missing feathers, and limping. I don’t know how long she had been trapped there, but long enough for the pack to lose interest… except for one dog who had settled in beside her, waiting for round two.

Dealing with neighbors is never easy, especially when it involves big issues. I tend to be a “sweep it under the rug and move on” type of person. Less conflict, less awkwardness. If their dogs chased Rowan along the fence, I fixed it by adding electric fencing — even if it meant losing a quarter acre of grazing. If their dogs barked at 3 a.m. for hours, I tried to ignore it. When they attacked my sister’s puppy, we worked it out and told them it was ok, she came out unscathed and accidents happen, just add some fencing on their side so it doesn't happen again. They added fencing but it still allows for the dogs to reach their heads onto our property. Fine, they tried so we ignore that because we are careful, we will keep future dogs and small animals away from that side of our property. I mean, we managed Bentley the OG naughty dog without any issues for 10 years, a few neighbor dogs can't get that bad (I think I was gaslighting myself?)

But this time was different. A chicken likely won’t survive, and things need to change. What makes it harder is that the neighbors see me as the problem, complaining about it or that I am possibly making up the issues? instead of acknowledging their three heeler mixes are menaces, torturing their own chickens and ducks and now trying to murder mine. I told them calmly but firmly — because in Montana, dogs that harass livestock can legally be put down. I don’t want that, I just want them to take responsibility and not lash out at me. We’ll move the chickens to a safer spot, but that takes time, and other projects were already in the works. Now, it has to be the priority.

Through this, I’ve realized I’m more of a people pleaser than I ever thought. I love making life easier for others — I started a whole business about it basically. Watching people's animals while they’re away to give peace of mind, ensuring I can help out in any way I can. But when it comes to standing up for myself and my own animals, I’m learning that avoiding conflict doesn’t always protect them and definitely doesn't make change happen. Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who balances me out and isn’t afraid to speak up when we’ve been wronged but I am learning how to find my own voice too.

A feud with neighbors isn’t ideal. They’re not going anywhere, and neither are we. I don’t want to live with the constant worry that their dogs will get out, dig under the fence, or attack Rowan, future dogs, or more chickens. I name almost all of my chickens (not always practical, but I love them), and Rowan is only three — still learning, still nervous around dogs. I don’t want him carrying fear into his training. And I certainly don’t want any more bad horse accidents in my future.

Bentley OG Naughty Dog coexisting with Chickens just fine. He had trouble with animals in general, but we put in the work because every life on our farm is important and the chickens deserve to live without fear. Bentley did great but was always supervised and that was our responsibility we took very seriously. He never injured a single bird - even though the rooster tried to start MANY fights lol

To say I’m learning lessons this year would be an understatement. Farm life isn’t always coffee on the porch and thriving gardens — sometimes it’s tough conversations, setting boundaries, and finding your voice. That’s part of the growing, too.

Have you ever dealt with something like this? I’d love to hear how you handled it.