Next doors window cleaners leaning over my 6ft fence

[Swirlyceiling]

Ddog was outside sunbathing and I went out there to sit with him and enjoy 5 minutes peace. 3 window cleaners next door.

One of them says 'look at that dog next door he looks like Bradley's dog' or something.

All 3 window cleaners then pop up over the fence whilst I'm sat here.
It's a 6ft fence (ours), on top of a 2ft wall, so about 8ft tall from my floor but neighbours garden is raised so maybe 5ft from hers.
One of the window cleaners leaned over the fence putting all his weight on it to stroke ddog. Fortunately, ddog reacted calmly. Usually he would bark if it looked like somebody was coming over our fence.

He was really leaning in to my garden so I said can you not in case my fence gives way (old fence) but I didn't know what else to say, I was amazed that 3 fully grown men would think it acceptable to do this. I have children who normally play outside.

Do I say something to my neighbour or leave it? They come once a month and this has never happened before.

I am now toying with adding cat spikes (or whatever they are called) to my fences but as ndn actually has a cat I don't want to risk any discomfort to it.

For voting:
YABU (let it go)
YANBU your neighbour should be aware that they were weird

How do some people actually get through life?

Ring the local paper, OP-

Local Woman In Window Cleaner Shock
“They looked at my dog and touched my fence”.

No but effectively trespassing in to a garden is slightly relevant, surely?

Then why mention your kids in two separate posts? Why mention you're not comfortable with people leaning into your garden if your kids are in the swimming pool when your kids weren't there?

What an over the top response for a perfectly nice encounter.

I don't know why you're getting such a hard time. I would feel uncomfortable with this too. Your garden should be a 'safe space' for you and your family. They should have asked first or at least made conversation. I think you dealt with it though and I don't think you need to do anything more now.

Seriously batshit over reaction.

Have you been drinking OP?

I don't know what they are called but everyone on here talks about plastic rubber spike things to deter cats from sitting on fences?!

*And I also can't understand how he can then reach down 8' on your side of the fence.

3 window cleaners to do a single house seems a lot.*

My dog is about 3ft tall, he leant down maybe 4ft, came slightly short of ddog.
It does seem a lot really, they normally have 2, don't know who the third one was today but I never speak to them and they never cause a bother usually.

Happydinosaur53 I'm glad I'm not alone, thank-you

I will accept from the majority that IABU

Although a word of caution to anyone who leans in to private gardens to say hi to dogs - not all are friendly!

How is this an issue you’re worried about?

Usually he would bark if it looked like somebody was coming over our fence.

And how often does it look like people are coming over your fence if your dog would usually bark at them?

YABU because you haven’t supplied a dog picture.

Also this.

They just wanted to pet the dog. The dog was fine with it. I get you weren’t but most would be. I’d not say anything because you will look quite odd and uptight.

On a seperate note I’ve never heard anyone say their dog was sunbathing before. Did he have sunglasses on and a cocktail at his side? 😀

I think you said the right thing. We have at least 6 feet fences all the way round, one of mine is unreliable with strangers, both are territorial. It”s their garden, after all.

On a seperate note I’ve never heard anyone say their dog was sunbathing before. Did he have sunglasses on and a cocktail at his side?

I often found my two on the bench in the sun when I got home from work. They definitely sunbathed.

@Strawberrycreamsundae

It’s 5’ high her side, 8’ high your side and he managed to reach a dog on the ground your side? How long were his arms fgs?!

Perhaps it was Twizzle. 😂

On a seperate note I’ve never heard anyone say their dog was sunbathing before.

He would spend the whole day out there is I let him. We have to put sun cream on him in the summer because he is white with very short fur.

And how often does it look like people are coming over your fence if your dog wouldusuallybark at them?

Guests who have tried to jump the back fence rather than wait for us to unbolt the gate. Ddog usually notifies us that it is happening whilst we are on the way out there. Very infrequent obviously, but people have done it.

I often found my two on the bench in the sun when I got home from work. They definitely sunbathed.

Awwwwww. Please tell them they are good boys/girls.

My neighbour is above me on a hill and a taller person can see over the fence into our garden. I need to stand on a chair to reach the top of the fence never mind see over it. Fence is on top of concrete thingies.

I can easily see into the garden on the other side for the same reason.

I would also be wary of dog theft having read about someone hearing their dog barking and rushing out to see it being hauled over the fence, too late to stop the theft. Houses are also burgled and dogs taken. And yes, I am aware that there are decent, honest workmen out there that like animals, but there are also a lot of dog theives. Sadly you can't be too careful these days, with anything.

My 2 dogs and my cat are frequent sunbathers

I wouldn’t be comfortable with 3 strangers hanging over my fence, window cleaners or not, you don’t know them at the end of the day. But, I wouldn’t do anything. If it happened each time they came I’d ask them to stop. They’re grown men and it’s not really the house owners fault so I wouldn’t speak to them. Perhaps keep your dog in when they come if you know the date and time.

I don't think it's a massive over-reaction, I also wouldn't like 3 strangers hanging over my fence.

Have you been introduced to the Sea Monkey thread yet?

Good point, that thread does give this one a good run in terms of hysterical over-reaction

You need a new mindset, and a little bit more humour, I would think that was funny., and maybe it cheered your dog up to get some attention.

I have a mental picture of him with arms like Mr Tickle.

Which must come in v handy for cleaning windows.