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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if you can upset your neighbours by taking dogs on too many walks?

62 replies

gingerbreadsprinkle · 20/07/2019 00:13

Sorry if this is a weird one, it's not about me personally but I just want to gage public opinion. Since my dad retired he has been bored and likes to take their 2 dogs for walks multiple times a day. He might go out for 5 walks a day in the neighbourhood. I never thought much of it but recently he is not been getting along with his neighbours. I'm not there so I don't really know what's going on. I'm wondering though could it be that people are upset that he is going for all these walks?

If your neighbour walked past your house like 5 times a day to walk his dogs would you think it's suspicious? It's honestly just because he's bored and the dogs love it.

For voting purposes

YABU = the neighbours will find it suspicious
YANBU = he's retired and walking a dog so it's fine to go for many walks a day

OP posts:
Triskaidekaphilia · 20/07/2019 01:00

I've complained about this on so many threads now but I wish my neighbours would walk their dogs instead of leaving them out in the garden to tunnel through into ours, scare our cats and shit everywhere Angry

AcrossthePond55 · 20/07/2019 01:01

Well, my late aunt (in the early stages of dementia) used to take her dog for 5+ walks per day and the neighbours reported her. BUT her dog was elderly, it was very hot (90F+), and it was obvious that the dog wasn't enjoying the walks. In fact my late aunt was observed dragging the dog along. My cousins got involved and the dog sadly had to be rehomed as my late aunt wouldn't stop doing it.

I'm sure that's not the case with your dad, but the only reason I can see for the neighbours to be upset about frequent walks would be if they thought the dog was being ill-treated.

ysmaem · 20/07/2019 01:06

Have the neighbours actually said its bothering them? I find it hard to believe that they would be bothered by the amount of times your dad takes his dogs for walks and I'd be surprised if they were keeping count. But if they are then they are in the wrong not your father. I think it's a positive thing to both keep himself busy and to get some exercise.it sounds like your worried about the situation so maybe ask your dad what's been going on and if he's unsure maybe ask the neighbour if you happen to bump into them. I hope it all gets sorted soon

MitziK · 20/07/2019 01:11

I know exactly when the bloke round the corner takes his dog for a walk

Yip yip yip yip YIP YIPPETY YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip....and on the return journey, it's

... yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip yip YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIP YIPPETY YIP YIP yip yip YIP. Then his front door closes again.

He does it four times a day. I'm not counting the times he lets his dog mooch around his garden - all day (and you can guess what that sounds like).

TwistyTop · 20/07/2019 01:11

Who the hell keeps track of how many times a day their neighbour walks the dog? I feel like we've entered the twilight zone here.

DarkMutterings · 20/07/2019 01:14

Does he slam the door? We're in a terrace and if I'm home then I can tell you exactly when my neighbours come in and out - because they let the big heavy front door slam each and every time they go out and they come in. Drives me nuts!
If he's retired, is this recent? So for years he's left in the morning and come home later, but now being retired is in & out all the time? It may just be the neighbour was use to peace during the day and just needs to get use to someone being at home all day next door.

BjornAgain81 · 20/07/2019 01:15

It has to be the barking.

I often have to sleep in the day and even the occasional yapping from my neighbour's dog makes me want to throttle the thing. I'm well aware that I have chosen to work odd hours, but people should train their dogs properly. I was always able to tell each of my four previous dogs to shut up and it worked.

RubbingHimSourly · 20/07/2019 01:15

I bet there's a phantom crapper and your poor old dad and Fido are getting the blame.

Yabbers · 20/07/2019 01:17

I couldn’t care how many walks my neighbour takes with his dogs. I care that they bark every fucking time they are in the garden, a dozen times a day, starting at 7am right til midnight.

And that when he walks them, they yap at their own bloody shadows.

Yabbers · 20/07/2019 01:19

My parents are able to get her to stop within a couple of minutes by calling for her.

Two minutes is a long time to have to listen to a dog yapping. Especially as it won’t be just once a day.

Glitter99x · 20/07/2019 01:20

YANBU, none of their business how many times a day he walks the dogs. Although I think 5 may be a bit too much. A springer I know with a lot of energy gets 2 walks per day, at least half an hour each time. So 5 walks a day may do harm in the long run. I get it could look weird to a neighbour. Could he pick up another hobby and cut down to 2/3 walks per day?

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 20/07/2019 01:22

My parents are able to get her to stop within a couple of minutes by calling for her.

  1. It's never a couple of minutes. Dog owners say it is but I will bet my ass it's longer.
  1. It happens every time the Doberman is walked, either because the Yorkie can't keep up or has been left at home.

Honestly OP, it's the barking.

Glitter99x · 20/07/2019 01:25

It would be the barking after reading the first page. Most people don't like barking but is a bit insensitive to not like it at all, considering your parents stop it quite quickly, that is understandable and good of them, if it was for a long period of time, then okay that is understandable of the neighbours disling the barking, but as you said they stop it quite quickly and I assume that one of them is always home?

HeadintheiClouds · 20/07/2019 01:29

A few minutes barking is actually quite a long period of time when you’re forced to listen to it. Or it seems so. Your parents should be able to stop it far quicker, or at least move on quickly so the immediate neighbours don’t have to bear the brunt of the entire thing.

Hollyhobbi · 20/07/2019 01:34

Good job his neighbours don't live near me! A while ago there was a dog barking all night long. Til 4am at least cause I fell asleep then!!

AquaPris · 20/07/2019 01:39

Of course not. It's what, all of 3 seconds walking past them?

Saracen · 20/07/2019 01:39

It's the barking. That would drive me crazy too, especially with a yappy small dog.

But it would probably bark even more if not given enough exercise, so I don't know what to suggest.

DaisyChainsGetBroken · 20/07/2019 01:40

Baring imo

Gingerkittykat · 20/07/2019 01:46

I wouldn't even notice if a neighbour walked a dog 5 times a day.

What I do notice is the little bastard yapping shih tzu and the other little bastard jack russell making a fucking noise when they go in and out.

Why do owners of those little mutts always think other people will think they are cute?

(the other neighbour with her non yapping Jack Russell takes it on walks several times a day and I couldn't care less)

WomanLikeMeLM · 20/07/2019 01:48

Constant barking would drive me insane, however the exercise your dad is getting is clearly beneficial.

Rachelover40 · 20/07/2019 02:03

If it was a one off neighbour complaint, I don't think your dad needs to worry, especially as he has dog on lead and clears up poo.

Echobelly · 20/07/2019 02:06

I wonder if the neighbour just doesn't like large dogs. It doesn't matter if the doberman is docile and never bitten anyone - someone who doesn't like large dogs might assume it isn't docile and it does attack people. I guess it's possible they're a bit paranoid and think your dad's making a statement walking around with a large dog frequently, but that's their problem, not your dad's and he ought to ignore this neighbour because they're a bit of a loon.

SadOtter · 20/07/2019 02:47

Next doors little dog yips for a couple of minutes every time they go out, I ignore it but if it was 5 times a day that would really piss me off. You can't actually be surprised little dogs barking is annoying his neighbours?

4legsandawaggytail · 20/07/2019 08:13

The only possible reason I think your neighbour could be annoyed or upset by is, if he doesn't always pick up after his dogs.
Some older people have limited ability to get down to pick the mess up. If the dogs are offered, not everyone watches their dogs and miss when nd where their dogs do their business. This even annoys me and I'm very passive and a dog owner.

Why not ask him to knock and ask with a face that is consciously friendly. This may be the better option. I suppose it matters how much communication your dad has with the neighbours.

MrsLupin · 20/07/2019 22:32

My dog goes out 3/4 times a day- it's not the neighbours business how often the dogs are getting walked. Well walked dogs are (generally) happier and better behaved.