Neighbour's dog

smileytiger

We are dog lovers - we have 2 a rottie/retreiver cross & a heinz 57 - both well loved and re homed from the rescue centre.

Up til now we've never had an issue (and to be honest haven't got an issue )with our neighbours who rent the semi attached to ours. They're a nice family 3 kids & dogs.

They got a puppy a couple of months ago and it's taken to barking at the cows in the field. (our houses back onto a farm) Not that strange i suppose - but it can keep this up for quite a long time - it's a St Bernard so is quite loud although still only a puppy. It sits in the garden barking away - even when neighbours are in and no one says/does anything.

One day last week after dog had been barking solidly for 40 mins my OH had a word with neigbour and asked if she could stop dog barking - ie take it inside.

Now they won't speak to us & it's spiralling into a huge issue.

Compounded by the fact that our house is on the market & the last thing i want is a big fall out with them before we sell.

Starting to get a bit stressed out about it - we've got on really well before now & been invited round for drinks etc.

Should i try to smooth this over by talking to them and trying to find out what's the issue??

Confused as we've overheard them telling others that OH had had a 'right go' at her - when he just asked her to quieten the dog - didn't even raise his voice.

Any thoughts appreciated as more stress is the last thing i need right now

Mr_Thrifty

Well, what did she expect. Dogs that constantly bark are a menace.

amcluesent

Very bad situation.

The ghastly mutt will all too likely be making a damned racket when you have viewers round.

You are skating on thin ice regarding disclosing a neighbour 'complaint' to any buyer's solicitors.

Why, oh why are dog owners completely oblivious to the barking and shi**ing all over?

Ivana_Tinkle

How horrid for you.

Presumably they're feeling defensive because they don't really know what they're doing with the dog. You've got 2 choices really: either ignore it all or try and make friends with them. If you can be bothered doing the latter, you could say that you overheard them saying you'd had a go at them (clearly you were meant to!) and you're so very, terribly, awfully sorry it came across that way as you didn't mean it to and would hate to fall out over something so trivial blah blah blah...

At least that way you might stay friendly enough that you can give them a few tips on dealing with the dog and perhaps even ask them to take it out when you have viewings.

I don't know if this will be any help, but a few of our neighbours have been decidedly frosty with us since we put our house on the market. I don't know what it is (jealousy? feeling abandoned? God knows!), but I've just tried to rise above it as, at the end of the day, it's their issue, not ours.

maninthestreet

Can't you get one of those high-pitched whilstles that only dogs can hear? Everytime it starts barking, go outside and blow loudly on it.

smileytiger

Thanks for the replies - i just think it's a stupid thing to fall out over.

Neighbours hubby works away & when he's home there's no issues he always keeps dogs under control etc.

I think he's come home and she's told him god knows what & now he's telling other people we're snobs and not down to earth. My dad (bless him) was a docker - trust me i'm anything but a snob:D

Maybe i'll try and have a word with him - and see if my OH has upset his OH.

I wouldn't care as we've been emptying the loft ready for moving - we've given them toys n stuff we've found for the kids that belonged to ours ( i'd forgotten they were up there..lol) and all of a sudden it's like we're public enemy no 1.

Hoping it'll all blow over...

Eve4ever

amcluesent wrote: »

Very bad situation.

The ghastly mutt will all too likely be making a damned racket when you have viewers round.

You are skating on thin ice regarding disclosing a neighbour 'complaint' to any buyer's solicitors.

Why, oh why are dog owners completely oblivious to the barking and shi**ing all over?

Ok, slight over exaggeration and sweeping statement!

This hasn't developed into a neighbour dispute yet, and judging by the OP's posts, it's unlikely to.

OP - It's always best to defuse a situation, why don't you call round with a bottle of wine or box of chocs and explain you didn't want to have a go at them. If it doesn't work, then just let it be and don't get dragged into any heated discussions. As the dog is a puppy, the chances are it will soon tire of barking at something it sees every day.

There is nothing to say that we all have to be on "bosom buddy" terms with our neighbours, just because they don't want to talk to you doesn't mean you have to declare it to potential purchasers.

jaffa30

amcluesent wrote: »

Very bad situation.

The ghastly mutt will all too likely be making a damned racket when you have viewers round.

You are skating on thin ice regarding disclosing a neighbour 'complaint' to any buyer's solicitors.

Why, oh why are dog owners completely oblivious to the barking and shi**ing all over?
Wow what a generalization about dog owners

Why it isnt a offical complaint its a quiet word with a neighbour..

jonewer

robatwork

Is that for the neighbour or the dog?

jaffa30

robatwork wrote: »

Is that for the neighbour or the dog?

Both lol