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Original poster

Neighbours kids keep looking over our fence

459 replies

lilybit2025 · 07/04/2026 11:18

As the title suggests. Young girl around 5-6 keeps looking over at our fence. Did it a handful of times yesterday until I turned around and said 'hello can I help you?' And she's doing it again today. It sets our dog off and drives her insane yet she still does it.
I find it incredibly intrusive and I don't know if our neighbours know she's doing it and she's only a child but we do not have children and aren't particularly fond of them either.

OP posts:
Deadringer · 07/04/2026 13:22

Invasion of privacy, jeez its a small child looking into next door's garden. Just ask your neighbours politely to tell her off because it's driving your dog mad.

ThePoshUns · 07/04/2026 13:21

Mosaic123 · 07/04/2026 11:27

Also not a great idea to stand on a table. I doubt her parents are aware. They are not watching her.

You could frame it, to the parents, as safety concerns about the table and dog i.e. she could fall off the table if the dog startled her by barking. You can say it makes you worried.

Yes my son stood on a wooden garden table to talk to his friend next door, the table broke and the wood skewered his leg. Still has a nasty scar .

LakieLady · 07/04/2026 13:21

SummerFate · 07/04/2026 11:55

Invest in some of these.

https://ebay.us/m/NGRPAD

Edited

And then grow something spiny, like pyracantha, along it.

KilkennyCats · 07/04/2026 13:20

iwishtoo · 07/04/2026 13:19

Or train the dog better?

Show quote history

The dog is in his own garden, minding his own business.

PistachioTiramisu · 07/04/2026 13:19

I think I would say in a stern voice 'what are you looking at?'. Of course, she won't have an answer so will probably quickly disappear back into the house.

iwishtoo · 07/04/2026 13:19

Zanatdy · 07/04/2026 12:27

You need to speak to her parents, not a 5yr old. Just say it sets your dog off and you can’t relax in your own garden. They will need to move whatever she is standing on.

Or train the dog better?

StephensLass1977 · 07/04/2026 13:17

DreamyScroller · 07/04/2026 12:44

Am I the only one thinking this thread is slightly absurd? A little girl is peering into your garden. If it really is a big deal, just tell her not to in a firm but kind way.

No I don't think this thread is absurd. People like to laugh off little kids' poor behavior in the same way that small dogs are never blamed for the numerous problems they cause, because "aw, cute, small, you're so grumpy".

I've had years of little kids peering into my window, knocking and running, etc., and it really can wear you down. Op says she's chosen not to have kids, so why should be expected to help discipline someone else's? Where even are her parents? I'd never have been allowed to get away with this as a kid.

Pinepeak2434 · 07/04/2026 13:15

A few years ago I had my neighbours grandchildren climb on furniture to look over my garden, they’d sit on the roof of a small shed and wack the branches of my tree with sticks. I loudly said they might hurt themselves doing it and I think the grandparents heard - never saw the children looking over again.

KilkennyCats · 07/04/2026 13:15

Morepositivemum · 07/04/2026 13:13

KilkennyCats

They’re a nice bunch, we drop in flowers and an egg to them too, we’re very lucky!

You really are!

Morepositivemum · 07/04/2026 13:13

KilkennyCats

They’re a nice bunch, we drop in flowers and an egg to them too, we’re very lucky!

birdling · 07/04/2026 13:11

Tortephant · 07/04/2026 12:26

Young children are curious about things, and this should be encouraged.
At her age she isn't being intrusive, there is obviously something she finds fascinating or interesting. Perhaps your dog? Or intrigued by her grumpy neighbour.

Oh, one of those parents...

KilkennyCats · 07/04/2026 13:10

Morepositivemum · 07/04/2026 13:08

KilkennyCats

Im not being argumentative but the three houses around us dropped in Easter eggs!!!

That sounds lovely ☺️

KilkennyCats · 07/04/2026 13:09

That sounds lovely ☺️

InterestedDad37 · 07/04/2026 13:09

A well-aimed water pistol 🔫
Oh, sorry, that's cats 😉 😼

kohlrabislaw · 07/04/2026 13:08

Maybe a strategically aimed sprinkler is needed?

Morepositivemum · 07/04/2026 13:08

KilkennyCats

Im not being argumentative but the three houses around us dropped in Easter eggs!!!

KilkennyCats · 07/04/2026 13:03

Morepositivemum · 07/04/2026 13:00

KilkennyCats

Oh come on!
An Easter egg? Op doesn’t need to bribe the child not to constantly stick her head over the fence.

Thats not a bribe, it’s a neighbourly gesture that leads to a normal conversation as opposed to some of the suggestions here that will mean the child will go running to the parents and it will make a big thing out of something that doesn’t need to be!

The parents can be asked to stop their child making a nuisance of herself without being presented with an Easter egg, if op wouldn’t have made the gesture under normal circumstances.
It’s not the norm to shower neighbour children you barely know with chocolate, Easter or no Easter.

Morepositivemum · 07/04/2026 13:00

KilkennyCats

Oh come on!
An Easter egg? Op doesn’t need to bribe the child not to constantly stick her head over the fence.

Thats not a bribe, it’s a neighbourly gesture that leads to a normal conversation as opposed to some of the suggestions here that will mean the child will go running to the parents and it will make a big thing out of something that doesn’t need to be!

MyDeftDuck · 07/04/2026 12:59

lilybit2025 · 07/04/2026 11:21

It's a normal sized garden fence. I think she stands in a table to peer over.

Show quote history

How about having a word with her parents stating you’re concerned for her safety as she is climbing up to look over the fence and you’re worried the dog might startle her, she loses her footing and has a nasty fall.

rockinrobins · 07/04/2026 12:57

marcyhermit · 07/04/2026 11:24

If she's 5 then telling her once a few weeks ago isn't going to mean she never does it again.

Instead of 'hello, can I help you' (young children don't understand passive-aggression) you should have reminded her yesterday that she mustn't lean over the fence as it upsets the dog.
Then, if it carried on after a clear instruction, pop round and speak to the parents.

Show quote history

This. Saying "hello, can I help you?" to a 5 year old is so ridiculous. You need to be direct.

Belladog1 · 07/04/2026 12:57

Completely different scenario, but I have the same thing with people looking into my garden and setting the dogs off. I live in a rental, and when I took it on I had no idea there was a footpath running alongside the property. And it's constantly in use for all dog walkers, plus a cut through to a campsite a little distance away. My fence is 6ft tall, but set a little below the path, so anyone taller than about 5ft 8 can see straight into my garden ... and they do, and it riles me up something chronic. I have zero privacy.

Neemon · 07/04/2026 12:51

Some horrid people on here. She’s 5 ffs! Have a word with the parents.

squashyhat · 07/04/2026 12:51

I had this with kids climbing onto the roof of the neighbours shed which was next to our fence and staring at us. I grew something very prickly and fast-growing (pyracantha I think) in the hope that one of them would lose their footing and fall into it. Unfortunately they moved before that happened.

Rileysp · 07/04/2026 12:47

Is this even a debate? Just have a quiet word with the parents without being judgey etc. that’s all it will take

the girl means no harm. She doesn’t really understand privacy arguments etc.

NobodysChildNow · 07/04/2026 12:46

yeah just ring on door, nicely say “did you know your daughter is peeping over the fence all the time? She’s climbing on something to do so, not sure if she has some toys by the fence.

If she doesn’t stop it - sit out for a while, hose pipe and spray her with a little water.

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