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AIBU?

to spray the neighbours dog?

124 replies

AmIAWeed · 14/09/2018 15:11

So...long long ongoing issues with neighbours.
I have 2 dogs, they have a dog.
Their garden backs onto ours on the side and the rear. Well their garden to the side, their field to the rear.
I have fenced their boundary because they wouldn't and as a dog owner it's my responsibility to keep my dog in...I have also replaced the chain link at the bottom of our garden, in front is a hedge so no point having a wooden fence there - additionally the field floods regularly so it would rot.

Their dog is NOT socialised, any time I am in the garden it runs at the wooden fence and the chain link/hedge, literally pacing up and down barking. The owners do not call it in.
If I let my dogs out and it appears I bring mine in because it barks, mine bark back and frankly the other neighbours don't deserve to hear dogs barking. One of my dogs runs away, the other stands wagging his tail and barking, hes desperate to play and has never before picked up a dogs warning signs to leave it alone.
Today mine we're out, theirs was let out and the barking started, by the time I got out the bark there was full on snarling, growling - one of my dogs and theirs going for it. I grabbed my dog and bought him in, since he's been curled up on my lap terrified.

The owners have no intention of bringing the dog in or stopping the behaviour and im fed up of calling mine in everytime their dog is out, which can be for hours at a time.

So my AIBU
I want to have a water gun so every time their dog comes to the fence and starts barking I can spray it? I'll spray mine as well if hes out to deter them, but have every intention of spraying both dogs, theirs and mine until the damn thing learns not to run and bark at dogs/people. If their dog is there barking at me through the fence and my boy is inside i'll still spray the damn thing.
Is there an alternative?

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missyB1 · 14/09/2018 15:15

So I take it you have chatted calmly about this with them? You don’t actually mention any conversations?

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TemptressofWaikiki · 14/09/2018 15:17

Try it. Since they aren't bothered to train or socialise their dog, they leave you with little option.

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AmIAWeed · 14/09/2018 15:19

HI Missy - sadly no recent conversations. Since they have moved in we have had ongoing issues, we did talk originally. When they lit a bonfire 5 nights in a row covering everything in ash (fire brigade were called as flames were as high as their house the bonfire was that big) - they made promises said they wouldn't do it again...they lied blah blah.
Multiple other actions that have affected other neighbours far more than us.
We've an ongoing complaint as they have filled in all field ditches and raised the field height - in an area that already suffers from surface flooding
Now their response to anyone is fuck off and sue me.
There is no talking to them

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MissusGeneHunt · 14/09/2018 15:25

They sound delightful... not. Bad luck, crap situation. If you're spraying yours as an non-harmful deterrent and a squirt goes on theirs... well, hardly your fault is it...?!

Does the hedging not provide a barrier, or much of one? Worth growing 'mile a minute' down the fence to provide a quick (ish) visual barrier?

Sympathies, OP, I've got two dogs and I sympathise. Just want to enjoy your own land, don't you?

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starcrossedseahorse · 14/09/2018 15:28

If you knew anything about dog behaviour - and you should, since you own one - you would know that spraying this dog is likely to make it much more anxious and therefore more likely to bark.

Spraying your own, or their dog, is a really stupid idea.

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AmIAWeed · 14/09/2018 15:31

Exactly - I am an animal lover, I really dislike their dog but appreciate it's shit owners not the dogs fault so I need a non harming method. I figure a water gun is the best way to go?
We did have thick hedges and brambles - A combination of me clearing out the brambles and the hedge being cut back for the fencing to be installed means the corner is really thin of anything.

Water gun it is - I reckon a toy shop or two is going to have a decent sale on super soakers

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AmIAWeed · 14/09/2018 15:32

ok starcrossed - I don't know about aggressive dogs - please do let me know a better solution?

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Deadbudgie · 14/09/2018 15:40

Unfortunately in order to work out how to deal with this you’ll need to work out why it’s “aggressive” if it’s fear aggression I think shooting it with a water gun is likely to worsen the issue. I don’t think there’s anything you can do except try and make friends with it.

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Badbadtromance · 14/09/2018 15:46

What about one of those bark busters things

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AmIAWeed · 14/09/2018 15:51

Honestly I don't know why it is aggressive, It's 8 months old, they got it 2 months before we got our second dog.
I was trying to talk to the owner over the gate just before the summer holidays - nice conversation, I was trying to be friendly, the dog came running up, growled constantly I put my hand out (the back of it in a fist for it to smell) and it stood growling not coming near me. The owner told the dog it was fine, to 'leave' and it continued growling and barking so I said bye and left.
Their field backs onto multiple other properties all of whom have mentioned the dog growling at them if they are in their gardens.
I believe it is guarding as opposed to fear, but if it hasn't been socialised who knows?

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ADastardlyThing · 14/09/2018 15:52

I really don't think it's cool to water gun someone else's dog in its own garden Hmm

Try one of those pet control sprays, pet corrector or something? Bit like an air duster can, they make a short sharp hissing sound. You can get them from Amazon. Sorted my barking dog out, I only have to show her the red can now and she shuts up and it's becoming less and less frequent.

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AmIAWeed · 14/09/2018 16:01

I like the idea of a pet control spray that is noise only to distract - I really disagree with collars that spray stuff at a dog.
I have ordered a can, I'll leave it near the fence so it's on hand if either starts.

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adaline · 14/09/2018 16:03

Spraying dogs as a deterrent or punishment is a really bad idea. All it does is create a fear-aggressive dog.

Please consider something more humane for your dog.

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ADastardlyThing · 14/09/2018 16:05

It's a miracle invention IMO. There's even been a few times where she's just seen me reach for the dreaded red can and she shuts up/stops humping/jumping up etc

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AmIAWeed · 14/09/2018 16:05

ok WHAT???
I mean this super nicely to anyone who tells me not to spray water or use a sound - what do I do?

I can't have their dog barking constantly and being aggressive to mine.
I can't have one of mine barking back and the other running away scared.
It's my bloody garden!!!

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ADastardlyThing · 14/09/2018 16:06

Adeline is that directed at me? Good god you don't spray it on the dog or even near it as it's compressed air! It's the noise that works, sounds like a 20ft hissing snake

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Floralnomad · 14/09/2018 16:06

You cannot spray someone else’s dog when it is in its own garden , if the barking is constant then complain to the council but then that would mean ensuring that your own dogs stop barking or you are likely to get reported back .

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chillpizza · 14/09/2018 16:16

We have this issue with our neighbours dog. Shut out for hours on end, barking, whining, crying, jumping at their door, jumping at our fence. Which sets mind off, mine being bigger and louder means I would be the one to get in the shit so mine have to regularly come in after only a few minutes outside. I have no answer to the problem than hoping they move sorry.

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LatteLoverLovesLattes · 14/09/2018 16:17

Good luck!

How close to the dog do you need to be for the noise thingy to work?

I’m looking after my godchildren for a couple of weeks. The neighbours are nice, well she is anyway, but they have this yappy little dog who barks and barks and barks (well yaps). They let it out in the middle of the night, most nights, last night it was 2:30, forty-five-fucking minutes it barked for. 45 minutes!! He’s out there with it, I can hear him talking periodically.

It’s just so fucking bonkers that I don’t quite know how to say ‘WTAF do you let your dog bark in the middle of the night?’ I mean, FFS, no one sane would think that’s ok, so it’s not like he doesn’t know he’s being a bellend. Plus they’re not my neighbours, so it’s a bit more complicated.

I was // that close to telling it to shut up last night.

I love dogs, just not inconsiderate bloody people!!

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longtompot · 14/09/2018 16:30

My dad dealt with their previous neighbours barky dog by saying hello and that's enough to it every time he went into the garden. Huge hedge between them so dog couldn't see him, just hear him. Eventually it stopped barking at him. Maybe try that for a bit and see how it goes. Then I would have a water pistol handy.
Our local council are not interested in dogs barking here. Even one who didit for about 14 hours one Saturday. Its up to us to keep a log and then they might say something.

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ADastardlyThing · 14/09/2018 16:30

Im normally about 2ft away from Dog when I use mine. Ime the trick is to use it sparingly, so NOT like dp who got the can out for every infraction otherwise it loses it's effect but ops case is a bit different. I have a 3 strike system - tell her to stop, tell her again a bit louder, last time is a very loud "no" with one clap of the hands and if no joy, canned 20ft snake is deployed.

I've only had to buy the one can and it's lasted about 8 months now, got used quite a bit in the early days and now only occasionally if she forgets herself. I'm not going to bother buying another one as i reckon well be out of the god awful teenage stage with her in a couple of months. Fingers crossed!

(Banging on the floor with both hands works too but I'm guessing that might be a bit ouchy for op!)

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AmIAWeed · 14/09/2018 16:47

Yeah ADastardilyThing Can't say I want to hit the lawn or gravel beds. The lawn wont make much noise and the gravel may sting!!

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TheOxymoron · 14/09/2018 17:08

Ridiculous and wrong.
Your issue is with the humans, not the dogs.

As usual, people want to punish the animal for the humans inadequacy

90% + of barking and growling is fear/anxiety related. Spraying the poor animals will really help with that.... NOT!

The poster will the 3 step system... they are not children. Your training application lacks knowledge.

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Kidssendingmenuts · 14/09/2018 17:11

I think spraying it will piss it off even more. You need to block its vision with a fence, I know you said it may rot but perhaps get one of those worth the concrete panels at the bottom and then the wooden panel on top. Sorry I can't remember the name but it would help stop rotting. Or you can buy composite ones now that are made of plastic. But I think your option here is to stop there dog seeing yours and that may help x

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ADastardlyThing · 14/09/2018 17:16

Works fine for me and the dog ta Oxymoron, of course I didn't say how often I actually have to invoke the 3 strike system :)

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