help needed with neighbour from hell

murphy266

have 2 dogs a rott and a staff the 1 st thing i did when i move into our house was to build a wall around the back to keep the dogs from getting out.then the neighbour started complaning that she was afraid too leave the kids out during the day because my dogs were barking and trying to jump the wall. so i have put up a 3ft fence on top of the wall so your looking at a 7 half foot wall.thought that would sort the problem but now she is back in tell me i have to do some bout the dogs in the back her kids still cant go out. so i told her to txt me any time she wants too leave the kids out and i will bring the dogs in this worked for a while too but she is complaining again she is in fear of 2 dangerous dogs terrifly her kids. is there any more i can do and can she report me for have the breeds in my back

star-pants

I honestly don't know about her reporting you.

From what you've said you've done more than most would do, you've built a wall, and a fence on top of that, and you've told her she call text anytime and you'll accomodate her.
If it's all secure and your dogs can't get into her garden, I'm not sure why she's being so aggressive about this. IF you'd a flimsy fence or somethng, yeah, you'd want to protect your children, but you can't keep your dogs couped up.

I'm not sure what more you can do tbh

Pat Mustard

She seems to have an irrational fear of your dogs, unless we are missing some major details. I don't think that there is much that you can do for her, apart from suggest that she should get some help, which she will hardly take kindly.

Maybe it would be best not pay her too much attention.

It seems unlikely that you have anything to worry about from her, unless she decides to make a complaint about excessive barking. You will know yourself whether that is a problem.

The Sweeper

Beware that if your dogs are barking and jumping at the wall when her kids are out the back, you are guilty of having 'nuisance' dogs. It was a surprise to me to learn it, but under the definition of things that are a 'nuisance' it includes your dog, even if it's restrained on your own property, showing aggression and barking at passers by. The consensus is that people have a right to go about their business during the day without your dog going baldheaded at them - even if it can't get to them and it's on your property and under your control.

(So for instance, if you know someone with a large dog behind a gate, and every time you walk past that gate the dog goes bananas at you, you have grounds for a complaint against the dog's owner.)

I have to assume your dogs are barking and going a bit mental when her kids are out squealing and running about - because if the two of them were lying outside the back door asleep and not even twitching an ear when your kids were out, well she wouldn't even know they're there.

So what's really happening? If you describe it honestly, the folks on this forum can give you everything from suggestions on keeping your dogs occupied to ways of stopping them barking and so on and so forth.

Interceptor

Minesajackdaniels wrote: »

It was a surprise to me to learn it, but under the definition of things that are a 'nuisance' it includes your dog, even if it's restrained on your own property, showing aggression and barking at passers by.

Do you have a link, reference or document with this? I'd like to staple it to someones head.

OP - you have to get on with your neighbours - if your dogs are barking at them constantly and you don't do something about it then you aren't being a responsible dog owner. Buy an anti-bark collar, put a seconary fence inside the first one or move house to somewhere you won't have neighbours.

'cptr

andreac

What exactly are your dogs doin that is annoying her? if they arent doing anything other than being a dog in the garden then there isnt much she can do. You have built a fence to preven them from getting out, what more does she want??
You cant lock them up just because she is afraid of them. Its your property so unless the dogs are being viscous and trying to get through the fence or something, tell her to mind her own business.

Whispered

I have to say while I sympathise with you, if your dogs are showing agression, or even excessive excitement, even through this fence I can sympathise with your neighbour too.

Our neighbour has a dog, she's a lab. We cannot be out the back with her, she cries and howls through the fence even with the neighbour in the kitchen looking out. I'm finding it very difficult to train my dog with the cats as everytime the cat moves in my garden, the neighbours dog goes off on one, trying to slam through the fence, growling & barking. This sets Harley off and he chases. He's fine in the house with them though. If we walk up the garden she snarls and barks at us too.

It's very very annoying trying to do anything in the garden with her and while her dog is on her property it is still up to her to have some level of control over the dog at ALL times.

fionav3

Seconding what the other posters asked, are your dogs barking at the wall or jumping at the fence trying to get through it? If so, they can be labelled nuisance dogs. However, if your dogs aren't doing anything more than giving the occasional bark, it's possible your neighbour has an aversion to rottie's and staffie's. Unfortunately, these breeds get an unfair amount of bad press and people can have really terrible perceptions of them. Are your dogs friendly with strangers? If so, it might be a nice idea to invite your neighbour over and actually see the dogs so that she can see they mean no harm. Oft times, when the fear is removed, folks who are wary of certain breeds will, while not exactly embracing them, at least accept them.

NewFrockTuesday

Apols for off topic question...but are rothweilers legal to own? I passed a guy walking one the other ay - they are evil looking beasts. Id hate to be on the recieving end of an attack - I dont think anyone would stand a chance against at the very least a serious mauling.

Whispered

^^^ LOL, some people are priceless.
Yes they are "legal". Please do some research into the breed, perhaps if you start a thread and ask some genuine questions instead of branding peoples well loved pets as "evil looking beasts" (which is very rude IMO) you will learn how they are naturally docile and relaxed animals. Very easy to deal with when properly socialised and suprisingly clever.

andreac

Are you for real?????? How can you say that, they are far from evil looking.

Yes they are legal to own, there is no dog that is illegal to own in this country, its people like you who give these dogs a bad name!!! :mad::mad:

Have you ever been around a rottie and approached one?? Just because you think they look like evil beasts doesnt mean they are.

The Sweeper

Interceptor wrote: »

Do you have a link, reference or document with this? I'd like to staple it to someones head.

OP - you have to get on with your neighbours - if your dogs are barking at them constantly and you don't do something about it then you aren't being a responsible dog owner. Buy an anti-bark collar, put a seconary fence inside the first one or move house to somewhere you won't have neighbours.

'cptr

I think it's specifically because the statue is so loose, to be honest. The statute states:

25.—(1) Where, on a complaint being made to the District Court by any person, it appears that a nuisance has been created as a result of excessive barking by a dog, the court may—
[GA]
( a ) order the occupier of the premises in which the dog is kept to abate the nuisance by exercising due control over the dog;
[GA]
( b ) make an order limiting for such period as may be specified in the order the number of dogs to be kept by the respondent on his premises;
[GA]
( c ) direct that the dog be delivered to a dog warden to be dealt with by him in accordance with the provisions of this Act as if the dog were an unwanted dog.
[GA]
(2) Before any person makes a complaint to the District Court in relation to a nuisance caused by the excessive barking of a dog, he shall serve notice in the prescribed form, within such time as may he specified in the notice, of his intention to make such a complaint on the occupier of the premises in which the dog is kept.

If you're having a problem with a dog, call the dog warden and have a chat to them about it. The laws between England, Ireland and Australia are very similar. I had reason to approach my local dog warden and look into the statutes here with my local councils. Our statute is nearly identical to the Irish statute, and the room for interpretation comes under the point of 'nuisance created by excessive barking'.

I mean, what's excessive? And what impact does that excess need to have on your life before it's a nuisance?

Part of the complaint procedure is to keep a 'barking dog diary', where you literally record time, date, place, environmental factors, number of barks and what you think the dog was barking at. If the answer to that is "me, minding my own business" or "me, hanging my washing out" or basically you doing anything normal on your own property which you can't do in peace because your neighbour's dog stands barking and growling at the fence line, you have grounds for complaint.

NewFrockTuesday

Ah Im sorry! I didnt mean any offence - but it is my opinion tbh - I do think they are evil looking - I cant apologise for my opinion but I do apologise if I upset anyone. I know they are well loved pets of some - the affection each owner feel on this board is always very obvious.


It was a genuine question! Please dont accuse me of trolling - if you have a problem with my post report it.

Honey-ec

Deepsense wrote: »

Apols for off topic question...but are rothweilers legal to own? I passed a guy walking one the other ay - they are evil looking beasts. Id hate to be on the recieving end of an attack - I dont think anyone would stand a chance against at the very least a serious mauling.

Deepsense, I'm really surprised at this post from you.

I'd hate to be on the receiving end of an attack from any large dog. A Lab will do the same amount of damage as a Rottie of the same size.

How exactly are they "evil looking beasts"? They're an extremely handsome and noble looking dog that just happens to have been demonised by the press.

They were originally bred as a cattle herding dog and have an extremely docile nature. Any dog, regardless of breed, can be turned into an aggressive specimen if an idiot obsessed with appearing "hard" sets his mind to it.

Whispered

A persons opinion is a persons opinion, that is true and of course you are entitled to it, but sometimes an opinion can be ill informed.

You should ask some questions about the breed, perhaps meet a well behaved rottie or 2, they are absolutely lovely animals.

Any dog can be agressive depending on the circumstances and it is the owners responsibility to be able to control their dog in such circumstances. A large dog (be it a rottie or a lab) needs an owner who is mentally strong enough to deal with this. Most rotties are no more dangerous than an ill behaved terrier.

andreac

cork 08 8.jpg


2669_74610547236_672577236_2111020_3451798_s.jpg

Thats my rottie.


How can you say that these dogs look evil? i dont get it, they are a beautiful looking dog, and far from evil.

NewFrockTuesday

Ok - Im sorry. I obviously insulted you rottie fans - I really didnt mean to. My words while offensive were not meant to be and I could have made a much better selection of words to describe the rottie I saw. So my humble apologies to anyone I offended. Peace.

andreac

Thats ok, id love you to meet my fella as hes a fab dog with an amazing personality to match. They really are great dogs once they dont get into the wrong hands.

NewFrockTuesday

Im not afraid of dogs as a rule, but I do have to say andreac - and please dont take this the wrong way - I would be intimidated by one. Theyre very big.

Your photos are lovely

andreac

Thank you:) as a matter of interest are you afraid of boxers, labradors or german shepherds? as they are similar in size, the rottie would be bit heavier alright.
Im just wondering why the size of a dog would scare you? I love big dogs, the bigger the better for me.:D

NewFrockTuesday

Anything biggr than I could beat off with a big stick. I own a cat with numerous issues and tbh, hes probably the most dangerous animal I know. Your dog sounds like a softie...Pat would make mince meat out of him

murphy266

hey thanks all for advice picked one or things from ye all and its nice too see not every1 has the same opinion as oter users from other sites have bout the breed of dogs i have thanks again

luckat

Thread creep on the aesthetics of rotties.

Back to the original question. To be honest, murphy, *you* sound like the neighbour from hell! You have scary dogs!

What can you do? Basically, I'd talk to your neighbour again, and again ask her to text you when the kids are coming out to the garden. But this time, go out and talk calmly to your dogs, and then go over and talk nicely to the kids, while petting your dogs - so the dogs know that the kids are not The Invaders but trusted friends.

If your dogs bark (much less hurl themselves threateningly at the fence!) I'd go out and gently scold them: "Now, now, boys, don't be silly, Monica and Jimmy are friends." - and call to the kids "Hi Monica, hi Jimmy!" and *calm the situation down*.

Good strategy here, too, by the way: http://clickertraining.com/node/237

cloudy day

Deepsense wrote: »

Ah Im sorry! I didnt mean any offence - but it is my opinion tbh - I do think they are evil looking - I cant apologise for my opinion but I do apologise if I upset anyone. I know they are well loved pets of some - the affection each owner feel on this board is always very obvious.


It was a genuine question! Please dont accuse me of trolling - if you have a problem with my post report it.

know what you mean. I have a brindle boxer with a black face. She's as soft as a brush. I keep saying she's eveil looking, the kids go mad with me.

cloudy day

murphy266 wrote: »

have 2 dogs a rott and a staff the 1 st thing i did when i move into our house was to build a wall around the back to keep the dogs from getting out.then the neighbour started complaning that she was afraid too leave the kids out during the day because my dogs were barking and trying to jump the wall. so i have put up a 3ft fence on top of the wall so your looking at a 7 half foot wall.thought that would sort the problem but now she is back in tell me i have to do some bout the dogs in the back her kids still cant go out. so i told her to txt me any time she wants too leave the kids out and i will bring the dogs in this worked for a while too but she is complaining again she is in fear of 2 dangerous dogs terrifly her kids. is there any more i can do and can she report me for have the breeds in my back

Are the dogs barking and trying to jump the wall though, that's the thing. If they are, and you were my neighbour, I'm sorry I would not be happy. there is nothing more frightening to children than fighting dogs and dog that appear aggressive. Some kids have a pathological fear of dogs. We had two at our kids party the other day. Now none of my dogs were barking at them as we have kids and they love kids.

However, a neighbours dog approached our fence the other day (roaming, we live in country) and started fighting through the fence with our dogs and all hell broke lose, mine nearly bust through the fence. They would never normally be this aggressive but they were triggered by the other dogs aggression.

Point is, if your dogs are not used to the screaming and excitement of kids it may be winding them up. If it's only a 4 ft wall, that's not very high, a rottie would be able to look over it wouldn't he ? If the kids are seeing his head popping over wall and if he's barking and jumping, ( I'm not saying he is) they are bound to be scared.

If they are laying around in your garden taking no notice and not barking, well I don't think you have a problem.

I love large dogs, but I don't trust strange dogs. my husband would be afraid of Rotties. It's just the way things are.

Hope it gets sorted for ya without to many probs.

murphy266

i can understand people be afraid of rotts and staff i have 2 kids of my own age 2 and 9 so dogs are well used to kids. i have gone over too the wall with the kids next door. we dont hear the dogs barking when we are there and the kids playing outside. i have introduced the rott to her youngest child who is nearly 5 and all she kept saying was that he was so cute. before i get off i would never leave any of my dogs alone with any any kid with out me being there