What would you do? (Neighbor issue)
Kinda long... sorry
We live within the City limits in a small town. (no red-lights in the entire county) Anyway... we have 4 dogs... 3 chocolate labs and 1 catahoula. Our rear Caddy-corner neighbor came to the door last night complaining about our dogs. She said they have been barking non-stop in their pen for over 2 weeks (pen was only constructed last saturday 5 days ago)Pen is about 25'x 20'. They are in the backyard alot too. She stated that my dogs have awakened her the last 2 mornings at 6-6:30 (they were inside the house sleeping until after 7 am both mornings) Now I agree that they do bark at people walking past our fence and even at her and her husband when they are in their back yard, BUT as I attempted to explain to her a dog will bark at anything perceived as a threat or not understood. I asked her if she would simply speak to the dogs when she goes outside as to let them know she is not a threat. She said it's not her problem to solve....
Ok so they dont bark at the neighbors on the other side... who do say hi to them...they dont bark at the garbage people, one of whom I had a conversation about them on new years eve. The garbage person stated that the dogs barked until she spoke to them and now dont bark at all anymore. That conversation was BEFORE the conversation with my neighbor. I even tried to explain that when a dog barks, like at the mailman, and then the mailman leaves that the dog feels as if it has done its job. She said she disagreed with me on that and that she didnt like my idea of her talking to the dogs... well I asked her if she had any suggestions or what she would like for me to do and again she said it was not her problem to solve.
Today... her husband was standing about 20'from the pen(still on his property) looking at the dogs, with a bunch of brush and small trees between them, but not saying a word to them.... it freaked the dogs out. He left after a few minutes and maybe 1/2 hour later I heard them barking and he was standing there again just looking... I stood where he could not see me and he never said a word to let the dogs know he was not a threat. He just stood there faceing them about 1/2 in view. I went outside and brought them in the house. ( yes I did make an outloud remark "I know babies you just dont know what that is over there do you? It will be ok" Of course I am not always home when they are outside and keeping them inside all the time is not really a realistic option. They are big dogs that need to run.
I called a local LEO and talked to him about what had happened.. but he had no ideas for me. I figure maybe I would print off somethings showing her what I said about talking to the dogs is true and send it to her. I would rather go face to face but she got so pissed last night when I told her it could not have been my dogs since they were inside that I dont think she would be willing to talk to me.
Now we have dogs all over the neighborhood. Ours and a guy who does rescue are the only ones that are in fenced areas. The rest run the neighborhood and/or are on chains. I know of 3 within a block, owned by different people that have bite history.
So please o wise Gunbroker people... give me your suggestions on what you would do in this situation.
We live within the City limits in a small town. (no red-lights in the entire county) Anyway... we have 4 dogs... 3 chocolate labs and 1 catahoula. Our rear Caddy-corner neighbor came to the door last night complaining about our dogs. She said they have been barking non-stop in their pen for over 2 weeks (pen was only constructed last saturday 5 days ago)Pen is about 25'x 20'. They are in the backyard alot too. She stated that my dogs have awakened her the last 2 mornings at 6-6:30 (they were inside the house sleeping until after 7 am both mornings) Now I agree that they do bark at people walking past our fence and even at her and her husband when they are in their back yard, BUT as I attempted to explain to her a dog will bark at anything perceived as a threat or not understood. I asked her if she would simply speak to the dogs when she goes outside as to let them know she is not a threat. She said it's not her problem to solve....
Ok so they dont bark at the neighbors on the other side... who do say hi to them...they dont bark at the garbage people, one of whom I had a conversation about them on new years eve. The garbage person stated that the dogs barked until she spoke to them and now dont bark at all anymore. That conversation was BEFORE the conversation with my neighbor. I even tried to explain that when a dog barks, like at the mailman, and then the mailman leaves that the dog feels as if it has done its job. She said she disagreed with me on that and that she didnt like my idea of her talking to the dogs... well I asked her if she had any suggestions or what she would like for me to do and again she said it was not her problem to solve.
Today... her husband was standing about 20'from the pen(still on his property) looking at the dogs, with a bunch of brush and small trees between them, but not saying a word to them.... it freaked the dogs out. He left after a few minutes and maybe 1/2 hour later I heard them barking and he was standing there again just looking... I stood where he could not see me and he never said a word to let the dogs know he was not a threat. He just stood there faceing them about 1/2 in view. I went outside and brought them in the house. ( yes I did make an outloud remark "I know babies you just dont know what that is over there do you? It will be ok" Of course I am not always home when they are outside and keeping them inside all the time is not really a realistic option. They are big dogs that need to run.
I called a local LEO and talked to him about what had happened.. but he had no ideas for me. I figure maybe I would print off somethings showing her what I said about talking to the dogs is true and send it to her. I would rather go face to face but she got so pissed last night when I told her it could not have been my dogs since they were inside that I dont think she would be willing to talk to me.
Now we have dogs all over the neighborhood. Ours and a guy who does rescue are the only ones that are in fenced areas. The rest run the neighborhood and/or are on chains. I know of 3 within a block, owned by different people that have bite history.
So please o wise Gunbroker people... give me your suggestions on what you would do in this situation.
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All the details are insignificant. It really boils down to the dogs barking at your neighbors.
You admit the dogs bark at them in their back yard.
The neighbors should not have to take care of the problem this is your responsibility.
It is times like this when animals get hurt and everyone says it was not the animals fault but the owner's.0 -
quote:Originally posted by iluvguns
How were your neighbors instigating the dogs? You posted that he was on HIS property, 20 feet from the cage, just staring. He wasn't yelling or throwing things. He can stand on his property anywhere he wants.
No question the man is "within his rights" to stand on his own property and stare at the dogs, but it is instigation. The dogs take staring as a threat or challenge.
gagirl: You are correct that it would be easier to solve the problem if you could get the cooperation of the neighbors, and it doesn't sound like that's off to a good start. Maybe it's worth another try to get their help, but if you think you might get angry and make the situation worse, then don't. Have you considered trying to get a third party to mediate. Maybe a professional dog trainer could help.0 -
On second thought maybe you could put the shock collar on your neighbors???!!! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Rocky4winds
On second thought maybe you could put the shock collar on your neighbors???!!!
[:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
All the details are insignificant. It really boils down to the dogs barking at your neighbors.
You admit the dogs bark at them in their back yard.
The neighbors should not have to take care of the problem this is your responsibility.
It is times like this when animals get hurt and everyone says it was not the animals fault but the owner's.
You are not understanding that the neighbors are yelling and throwing things at the dogs and then complaining about the dogs barking at them. AND BLAMEING MY DOGS FOR BARKING WHEN THEY ARE NOT OUTSIDE OR EVEN HOME!0 -
Hey Nadine...have you tried using a No Bark Collar...it will train your dogs not to bark. You could probably take the collar off immediately upon entering the house and they would more than likely learn that they can bark inside the home, but not outside of it. 0 -
I seriously doubt that your neighbors are making up a story that it is your dogs that are barking as others have suggested. As someone who has put up with barking dogs for 8 years directly behind me (hound dogs) I totally sympathize with the neighbor.
I have had to call them 3 times to ask them to keep the dogs quiet. They are usually not an issue at night and these are the times I have called. They bark during the day at pretty much anything and get into "moods" where they bark more than others.
We like the neighbor so this helps a lot. If it is possible to strike up a friendship with them that would help a lot.
Others have mentioned and I agree for you to get the shock collars, most dogs will stop barking within days of getting these.0 -
Sounds deeper than the dogs. Did you get along before the dogs arrived? Do they get along with the other neighbors? [?] 0 -
ok some of you need to pay CLOSE attention... OVER 1/2 HER COMPLAINTS NEVER HAPPENED! THE DOGS WERE EITHER NOT OUTSIDE OR NOT HOME!
How do you deal with a neighbor blameing you for things that are not your fault?0 -
quote:Originally posted by stubnoid
Sounds deeper than the dogs. Did you get along before the dogs arrived? Do they get along with the other neighbors? [?]
Dogs were here first. We get along with all the other neighbors and last night was the first time I ever spoke with this couple.
Also I dont want my dogs NOT to bark at things outside if they ARE a threat so bark collars are off the list. They do not just bark at "stuff" only at these people.0 -
big stick [:(!] 0 -
So, why don't you try the collars as many have suggested? 0 -
I am betting the neighbor has no dog(s). They don't have anything else to do but complain. Once the dog issue is over something else will come up. Hummm... what to do? Don't know your property size but fence the adjoining properties. Paint the backside Pink with black dots. If your dogs can't see them they won't bark. Obviously both of you are not going to get along so nip it in the bud. Block their view from your property. 0 -
Take away the dog issue.... Do you get along with them? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by gagirl
How do you deal with a neighbor blameing you for things that are not your fault?
I'll stick to my original response....
There's three options that will solve the problem.
1) privacy fence
2) get rid of the dogs
3) you or they move0 -
quote:Originally posted by stubnoid
Take away the dog issue.... Do you get along with them?
I have no issue with these people outside of this. I cant say that I get along with them or that I dont since this was the first dealing I had with them. We even made it where the guy cant throw things at the dogs without ever saying anything to him about it.0 -
go over and hit on her husband, she'll move[:D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by gagirl
quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
All the details are insignificant. It really boils down to the dogs barking at your neighbors.
You admit the dogs bark at them in their back yard.
The neighbors should not have to take care of the problem this is your responsibility.
It is times like this when animals get hurt and everyone says it was not the animals fault but the owner's.
You are not understanding that the neighbors are yelling and throwing things at the dogs and then complaining about the dogs barking at them. AND BLAMEING MY DOGS FOR BARKING WHEN THEY ARE NOT OUTSIDE OR EVEN HOME!
I understand this but it is all IRRELEVANT. Even if they stand in their backyard and stare for 24 yours a day, even if every other dog in the neighborhood is barking, even if your dogs are in your house and barking, even if the kennel is 1 minute or 100 years old. It is all IRRELEVANT
You admitted your dogs bark at them when they are standing in their back yard. End of story. Guilty as charged. Pay the fine. It is not your neighbors problem. It is your problem. It in not your neighbors responsibility to take action to make the dogs be quiet it is yours.
They probably came and talked to you upon the advice of their lawyer or the police. The judge can actually impound the dogs if it continues and gets to the courts.
Sorry if I seem rude but I am just having a problem justifying how it can be ok for your dogs to bark and disturb others and it not be your responsibility. There is no way you will get a court or anyone with common sense to agree with you that it is ok for your dogs to disturb others when they are on their property.
Kind of like when the kids here would ride their bikes up and down the alley and the neighbors dog would bark at them. One day it broke the leash and bit a kid. My ignorant neighbor say "it's not he dogs fault they were teasing him". BS-the owner is responsible. The neighbor in this case paid the fine, hospital bills, kennel boarding costs and was worried about getting sued after the judge was done with him.
anyway I am getting long winded here-
You admit your dogs bark at them when they are in their own backyard, why is this not your responsibility?0 -
quote:Originally posted by gagirl
ok some of you need to pay CLOSE attention... OVER 1/2 HER COMPLAINTS NEVER HAPPENED! THE DOGS WERE EITHER NOT OUTSIDE OR NOT HOME!
How do you deal with a neighbor blameing you for things that are not your fault?
But 1/2 the complaints did happen. That is what matters.
The way you deal with the neighbor is to take care of the true complaints. Once your dog stops bothering them you don't have to worry about it.0 -
gagirl, try the collars and move on with your life. Lots of good opinions and input for you here. You asked for advice; take it to heart and be proactive. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by gagirl
ok some of you need to pay CLOSE attention... OVER 1/2 HER COMPLAINTS NEVER HAPPENED! THE DOGS WERE EITHER NOT OUTSIDE OR NOT HOME!
How do you deal with a neighbor blameing you for things that are not your fault?
Sorry but I am a little skeptical about this. What would she possibly have to gain by making up that your dogs are barking? It has been my experience that most dog owners follow the mantra, "dogs will be dogs". Shrugging off annoying barking dogs that may not bother you but are the bain of your neighbors existence.
I once considered calling the barking dog neighbor behind me every night at 2:30am to see how they liked that annoyance. Dog owners have no idea how effing annoying it is to have to listen to a GD dog bark all the time. Even if your dogs are just going out and barking for 5 minutes to the neighbor this is an eternity.
Your neighbor does have legal options against you such as calling the SPCA who will eventually seize the animals if the barking is not controlled.0 -
There are those that would kill or disappear your dogs.
Right or wrong won't help when you wind up having three dead or missing pets.
And, even proving your neighbor did it, won't get the dogs back.
My advice is to do what it takes to mollify your neighbors.
Doug0 -
Keep a log of when they are outside, and if they are out front or in the back yard.
Change up when they are out, so that her complaints will not match when they are outside.
Tell her to call you Every Time they are bothering her, and prove to yourself that it positively cannot be your dogs.
Move the dog run.
Shock collars will train them to NEVER bark, just what you Don't Want living out in the country.0 -
Have you tried to introduce your dogs to the neighbors one at a time? You could explain that you are trying to get them to not bark by making friends with them. They may think that your dogs are more likable if they had a chance to meet them other than through the fence.
Unfortunately as long as they are on their own property you can't stop them from staring. Now if you were to videotape them aggravating your dogs it will go a long way with the police.
Our two retrievers did not bark at all until the lab across the street taught them.
Good luck.0 -
just spoke with animal control head on phone... he said as long as barking is not after 10 pm or before 5 am the dogs can bark all day per city ords. He used to be head of water dept and knows how well they are normally behaved as water meter is inside the fence and there was never an issue with the dogs barking or being agressive. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by gagirl
just spoke with animal control head on phone... he said as long as barking is not after 10 pm or before 5 am the dogs can bark all day per city ords. He used to be head of water dept and knows how well they are normally behaved as water meter is inside the fence and there was never an issue with the dogs barking or being agressive.
[sarcasm]Not that is being a good neighbor and responsible citizen[/sarcasm]
[:o)]0 -
Let me add that once my neighbor saw that I was making an attempt to control the barking with a collar he has not said another word about it.
It has been over a month ago.
I don't even need to use the collar anymore either after off and on use for a couple weeks my dogs will bark once or twice and they are done because the collar in=creasses in 10 levels of power. ! level for each bark.
I guess they could tolerate the first couple levels pretty well because they would bark once or twice and that was it.
Now without the Collar they are trained that bark 3 and 4 and 5 will get an unpleasant zap.
PetSmart trainers recommended these for my Labs and guarenteed them to work
They did not Lie.
Hope this helps.0 -
quote:Originally posted by rustyh
Have you tried to introduce your dogs to the neighbors one at a time? You could explain that you are trying to get them to not bark by making friends with them. They may think that your dogs are more likable if they had a chance to meet them other than through the fence.
Unfortunately as long as they are on their own property you can't stop them from staring. Now if you were to videotape them aggravating your dogs it will go a long way with the police.
Our two retrievers did not bark at all until the lab across the street taught them.
Good luck.
that is what I asked for them to do with me... but she is not willing...0 -
Sounds like a losing battle. You've been given some very sound advice in the posts. It's YOUR decision to make.[;)] 0 -
are you not willing to try the bark collars? 0
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