attack of the neighbor
By addysmum
@addysmum (1225)
Canada
September 13, 2007 1:34pm CST
Last week my neighbor showed up at my door waking me up from my nap with the baby (my husband was off but he was out with our oldest son). She started yelling at me about having enough of me and my dogs and the my dogs are attacking her through the fence. I was completely taken back by her attack. My dogs bark at noises, you know doing their job which I hate; I can't stand barking dogs so I stop them every time I hear them. There is a 8 foot solid board fence around my entire yard but her dog keeps pulling one of the boards out making a place for my dogs to get their heads through to bark. My youngest dog is very territorial and feels everything she can see is hers so when she can see through the fence she will bark even more. The neighbor claims that she is so afraid of my dogs that at night she won't put her dog out because she doesn't know if they will attack or not. She claims that she gets her husband or their tenant to put the dog out. I told her that is silly because my dogs are in at night from 7 pm until we get up in the morning around 7 am, with a bathroom outing before bed and they are in every time we go out so that they can earn their keep and do their job. They are not aggressive but the girls have started fighting recently which is my problem to deal with and I do every time they start up. The fights are because my old girl is alpha but she is 14 and the young girl is 4 and wants to be alpha. Well the solution to the neighbors complaints is now the young dog wears a bark collar and my husband spent a lot of money that we 1 didn't really have to spend and 2 shouldn't have to spend to put up a second solid board fence on our side so the dogs can't see her. Now there is 2 fences and I don't have my security system to let me know if someone is on my property. The little one starts all the barking now without her to start it the others don't do it either. I know that I am more of a farm dog owner then a city dog owner and feel that dogs need to sort out their troubles to some extent, I don't allow the fighting to go on but they have to work it out for it to end. I don't like barking but they do it to protect and I am one that believes I have dogs for that reason. I always say I have 180 lbs of dog that will meet you on the other side of the door if you are going to break in. Now I have no problem doing the things we have done if my dogs are bugging people and clearly they are bugging her it was the way she attacked me out of the blue when the dogs hadn't done anything all day, maybe bark in the house while we were out that morning (I should also add they were in with me at the time, I always have them in when I am alone and napping for my own safety and so I can hear them if they are going to fight or bark), I just don't think she needed to attack me like that. I didn't even know how to respond as I had just woke up or more to the point she woke me up so I was still trying to figure out what was going on when she was storming back up the road. All I can say is I really miss my country living where the neighbors dog barks back at mine and we all just get along because dogs will be dogs.
7 people like this
10 responses
@Silentnyt (4)
• United States
13 Sep 07
Hi,
Well, I am a dog lover and I understand your reaction to your neighbor. If you live in the country and don't have close neighbors to complain about dogs barking, it's no big deal. But if you live in the city or suburbs with close neighbors, most people don't want to hear dogs barking or fighting even if you stop them. It's the initial barking that drives neighbors nuts.
You mentioned not having a security system and your concern about people coming onto your property, trying to break in, and concern for your safety. You didn't mention what type of neighborhood you live in so if your neighborhood is considered to be safe, you might want to ask yourself if this fear is valid. Have there been problems with break ins or people getting robbed in your area?
At any rate, to keep peace with the fed up neighbor, keep the dogs inside. They will hear if a stranger approaches the property and will bark inside of the house.
4 people like this
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
13 Sep 07
Sorry I should have been a little clearer, I have a security system I just don't use it because I have dogs for that reason, people don't respond to sirens and the police don't call out to security alarms in our area unless the security company can prove a break in is happening. I live in a fairly safe neighborhood but every city has problems and ours just had a rash of break ins in the last month. As far as dogs barking all the neighborhood dogs bark all day long not just mine, as a matter of fact there is one that drives me nuts at night and it goes all night long, one of my other neighbors dog barks a crazy amount also. I will not keep my dogs in all day as that is cruel to them I bought a place with a yard for my kids and dogs and they have a right to use it. I do just as much to stop my dogs from fighting and barking as everyone else does, just because her dog hardly ever goes outside or out of his yard for walks doesn't mean mine have to be the same way. I should also say that her husband drives a jeep with no muffler and he wakes me up every morning at 3 AM when he is leaving for work. I agree with you I hate barking dogs that is the one thing I will not tolerate with my dogs and I come down hard on them for it. As I said I have done stuff to stop the barking but her being afraid they will attack is stupid because there is a fence in the way and they are to large to get through, that doesn't matter because we built a new fence on our side so now there is 2 fences. My problem was her attack on me for something that every dog in our area does, she didn't need to attack the way she did a simple request to take care of the problem without the rude comments. If she is sick of my dogs, well I'm sick of waking up to her jeep in the early morning, I'm sick of her dog wrecking the old fence. See what I mean everyone has things that bug their neighbors and talking to them to solve them is one thing but the way she went about it was not right. Thank you for your comments and I hope you don't think I am attacking you for your comments I am not but the computer doesn't so tone of voice just words. Have a great day.
2 people like this
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
13 Sep 07
Thanks soccermom, you are right with everything you said. A few years ago there was a bunch of break ins in the neighborhood I was living in and my house was the only one that didn't get robbed, the thieves tried to get into our house but when they kicked in the door they found my dogs then 4 and 1 and that was as far as they got. No I don't have dogs because my area is bad I have them because I love dogs and I feel safe with them. As I said come on in and meet my 180 lbs of dog and once you get passed them you will find me waiting to kick some butt. Have a great day.
2 people like this
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
13 Sep 07
Silent, what should it matter if she lives in a safe neighborhood or not? If it makes her feel safer to have a dog or two that's her right. I live in a very safe area and I have two dogs. Here's the kicker, a few months ago there was a rash of robberies in the area, and guess whose house didn't get broken into? Mine. And I happened to be the only person that had dogs.
I wouldn't keep my dogs in just to keep peace with the neighbor. It sounds to me like you are being a responsible pet owner by having a fence and it also sounds like the dogs aren't violating any laws by being outside barking all night. And am I correct in understanding it is the neighbors dog damaging the fence? If so, maybe you should point that out to her. Life is too short to worry about what the neighbors think. If they want to be petty, let them.
@alstaxidermy (269)
• United States
13 Sep 07
I'm sorry to hear about all of your troubles but take some comfort in the fact that some people are just plain stupid and thankfully you are NOT one of them!!! I too have a psycho neighbor (really, she's had the cops hear and they admitted she was on meds) so I knwo your pain - we go through it all of the time!!! Good luck though!!!
3 people like this
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
13 Sep 07
I had a crazy neighbor in Calgary. She would video us parking our 3 ton on our property (it was the only work truck we could bring home because it was under weight regs). She tried every day to get my car towed. She attacked her husband with a knife. Crazy lady. This neighbor is nothing like her just she should have been a lot less aggressive about my pets because like with my kids I am protective over my pets and will I bite you if you show your teeth at them. I am the ultimate mother bear so to speak.
3 people like this
@modomains (195)
• United States
14 Sep 07
I agree wholeheartedly with you about this. She is "medicated" alright and I think it's more than just prescriptions.
3 people like this
@alstaxidermy (269)
• United States
14 Sep 07
we just found out this evening through some creative research and such that our crazy neighbor (we refer to her as the downstairs deviant) has quite the little criminal record - even abandonment of her kid, breaking and entering, theft, violations of a restraining order. Oh joy! Time to move!! There is a point when if you can you should go! Just had to share it with someone! we always knew there was something wrong with her!
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
16 Sep 07
Well Sweet as far as I am concerned she has no right to attack you like that
I hope that you are ok by now and I hope that you will put it to her quite plainly that there are means and ways to talk to People
I am so sorry that this has happened to you and I hope it does not happen again
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
17 Sep 07
Thanks Gabs, I am fine, she just caught me off guard and I didn't have the chance to respond to her so I thought I would vent here. If she shows up here again I will be ready, I have fixed the barking and built a second fence so she has nothing to complain about but I have a lot to complain about her and her household. I really hate their jeep, I woke up to it this morning at 1 and then 3 and then 4:30. The guy that drives it works for a tow company so he comes and goes all night long. She has a tenant so I don't know if the jeep is hers and her husbands or if it belongs to the guy that lives with them.
2 people like this
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
18 Sep 07
Being stressed over her is the last thing on my mind. I have so much going on with sick kids, myself being sick and I just promised my grandma that I would take her to bible study starting next week. I don't have time for the neighbor and her sill mind games, when she has a real complaint then I will worry over her.
1 person likes this
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
14 Sep 07
Next time she steps foot onto your property acting like an crazy a*s. Be very calm and say, get off of my property or I will call the police. Your dog attacking her through the fence, lol. She should know that dogs bark. It's there only of way of communicating, so your dogs are only being friendly towards your crazy neighbor's dog by saying hello.
Good Luck with your crazy neighbor and this makes me so thankful I have understanding neighbors.
2 people like this
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
14 Sep 07
Just remember if she goes nutty again on you, just say get off my property before I call the cops. Or when her dog is barking go over to her house and act all crazy at her, lol.
You would think your neighbor would know this by being a dog owner herself, huh, lol.Funny how dogs act towards other dogs even people. My 6 month old mix breed Shiloh acts all weird when she see's people or even dogs. She thinks she should be able to run right up to them and get petted. It doesn't help that most of my neighbors saw her when she was only 6 wks old and babyed her. So now she will bark at them to get there attention and try her best to run over to them. Now when she doesn't get her way she acts just like a small child and will whine and cry. She is having a hard time trying to figure out why our 9 yr old Beagle, Ladybug won't play with her, lol. Even when she gets snapped at, she still trys to get her to play. Dogs are funny creatures. Not a day goes by that Shiloh doesn't make me laugh.
2 people like this
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
13 Sep 07
wow, do we have the same neighbours. our neighbour attacked my hubby over the weekend and on sunday we got the police to remove him from our property. also because of our one dog. he gives one bark and his 6 dogs goes into a barking frenzy. now its our fault that his dogs keep him awake. i have posted about them before. i long for country living as well. i truly know how you feel.
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
13 Sep 07
I feel for you. My neighbor attacked on Saturday. I lived in a great little village as far as leaving other peoples pets alone, that village had a lot of problems outside of the normal ones and we left because of them but how I miss the sensible people that realized dogs are dogs and kids are kids. My neighbor also complained that my son makes to much noise when he is outside, he is 3 kids make noise. People need to find better things to do then complain. At least I can say my dogs don't bark at night and they only bark for a few seconds before I stop them. Your neighbor needs to invest in bark solutions before he comes to you about your dog. Here's wishing you better luck with your neighbor, thanks for the response.
2 people like this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
14 Sep 07
I think your neighbor has issues or just wants some attention. Or both. I'm neutral on dogs, but as long as you take care of them, have them on the other side of a solid and large fence then fine. It definitely sounds like your neighbor needs a hobby or needs more of the sedative medication she should be taking. A beware of dog sign should be enough warning too. But also, if she keeps harassing you, its time to call the cops. Usually if a %^$&! neighbor is messing with you just to be a wart, a threat of calling the cops will make them change their tune. Just say this person is harassing you and disturbing your peace. Also, it kind of sounds like she threatened you, so thats another thing to add, perhaps.
Good luck Addy's mom. I wish you my strength and patience dealing with this psycho neighbor.
3 people like this
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
14 Sep 07
Thank you, I would have stood up for myself a lot more with her and told her off if I hadn't just woke up to pounding on my door and my baby screaming over being startled awake. I don't like beware of dog sign because they make the dogs seem dangerous and mine are not dangerous they just bark. The younger one bite once but it was a boy I was taking care of and he was abusing her for almost a week before she bite him. Turns out he was an abused kid and was caught torturing a cat just weeks after my girl bite him, but this leaves me with a problem with her because she is on record in our last town as having done this so if she is causing trouble and the cops come then she is the one they will be taking away not the crazy neighbor.
1 person likes this
@breepeace (3014)
• Canada
13 Oct 07
Some people just like to complain. Possibly because they have nothing better to do, possibly because complaining is just their favorite thing to do.
She's just being a pain in the rear, neighbour, and unfortunately, we ALL encounter those at one point or another. Even in the country.
My family had one when we lived on an acreage. The neighbour was a grouchy, abrasive old man that swore our dogs were keeping him awake with the 'barking'. Our Siberians DON'T bark. They howl, they yip and they scream when they're really excited, but never do they bark.
The guy apparently had no problem with the coyotes doing the same thing, but all could complain about was how our dogs 'barked' too much.
Turns out it was the neighbour across the way who had the barking dogs, a Lab and an Australian Cattle Dog. We couldn't hear them, but since they were closer to him, he could, and since we had the most dogs in the neighbourhood with our sled dog teams, we were the scapegoats.
We just put up with it for a few years, and one day, we decided to move. Where we live now, our neighbours adore us because our HOWLING dogs keep coyotes and wolves away from their sheep and cattle, so I guess you win some, you lose some.
@HomeFlower (987)
• Canada
22 Sep 07
Our neighbours tease our dog and he's developed a mistrust of them. So he barks at them almost all the time they're outside. I asked them nicely in the beginning to please NOT tease the dog so he won't become a danger to them...
You'd think I told them to go ahead and tease him some more and please by all means be more sneaky about it. Idiots!
I finally had to go over there and explain that he can jump the fence - AND if he gets really pissed off he just might do that.
We have an alarm system too but the dog is much smarter and can smell danger so when he barks I go investigate. If the neighbours don't like it, they are free to sell their homes and move. I'll help them pack!
1 person likes this
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
16 Feb 08
Sorry I haven't responded yet, I found out last week that the neighbor that share the duplex with crazy neighbor has been teasing my dogs over the fence and that is why they are barking. As a matter of fact it was crazy neighbor that told me this when I finally got up the nerve to go and ask her to deal with the light that shines right into my babies room and wakes him up at night. She was really good about the light and has kept it turned off at night since. Strange how she was ready to flip out at me but changed her tune when she learned of the other neighbor teasing them.
1 person likes this
@meanangel (167)
• United States
14 Sep 07
Her reaction was totally bogus. It might not have been the dogs that set her off she was probably mad about something or someone else and sice she knew you were home she took her bad mood out on you when she couldn't find anyone else. I will tell you to go to the authorities just to have them document your dogs. Have either a police officer of animal control officer come out and photograph your dogs and your yard so that when she starts complaining again or does something more drastic you have done your part to protect your self and the dogs. Also keep all shot records in an easy to access place in the event to biting alagations.
2 people like this
@xiaoruo0813 (3)
• China
14 Sep 07
I live in county and keep a dog.It's so living that I like it very.It always runing around me.It is so good
2 people like this
