DH screaming at local kids to fuck off

[CocoChan]

Well not exactly but he might as well have done. We have a 1 year old dog who barks at every little noise. Anyone walking past the garden sends her crazy. We live next to a walk path popular with dog walkers. Not too much of an issue as they tend to be quiet which our dog can handle.

When lockdown started the path became popular with people taking their kids for their “one hour exercise” so this is where the trouble started. Kids running up and down screaming etc ... dog going crazy ... eventually she got used to that but now people have decided that the bushes near our fence are great for their kids to play in ... this absolutely sends our dog crazy as the kids are messing on the fence. She barks, they scream, she barks more .... it’s become a nightmare.

Last night kids were messing near the fence. Dog started barking. DH went to bring her in and then heard the kids shouting “woof woof woof” stood directly facing the fence deliberately winding her up. He then said very loudly “it’s ok Cujo, they’ll all fuck off back to school soon thank god” 😱 it went quiet and they walked away.

I said he shouldn’t have sworn at them and his argument is he didn’t swear AT them. Just about them. I believe two of them might belong to my neighbour 🤦‍♀️ Not seen her yet but if she brings it up do I apologise or ask her to keep the kids from winding up the dog?

I wouldn't worry about it. I certainly wouldn't apologise.

Your title says he screamed, your op says he said it loudly.

Which did he do?

YANBU. I agree with this: If they're the sort of children who would deliberately wind up a dog I doubt they'll be at all fazed by a swear word, tbh

Um...what are you doing to stop the barking?

We live next door to a barky dog,which I'm kind of ok with,but if I'm walking along a public road/ footpath and get barked at it makes me so cross. I'm allowed to be there - the kids are allowed to be at the back of your house.Normally I talk to dogs in that situation as I go by,they already seem pretty wound up so I'm not sure an imitation bark would add to that?
You need to teach your dog to be quieter and calmer,it's not fair on neighbours or on passers by.

Don't know who sounds more annoying in this situation - those kids or your noisy dog!

The kids shouldn’t have been annoying your dog and your husband shouldn’t have sworn, although I understand why he lost his temper. However don’t blame passerbys for your dogs’ barking if this happens every time someone walks by, they can be trained to not react and it’s your responsibility to keep your dog under control in all situations.

Your title is very misleading OP, he didn't scream at them.

To be honest, the little shits needed telling off! I'd have done exactly the same

Sort your dog out. That's the problem, not your husband or other people. Your dog!

If she brings it up i would both tell her what the kids were doing and apologise. In terms of 'sorry dh swore but the children were deliberately winding the dog up and he was really exasperated by their behaviour as it's cruel'

Sometimes I agree out loud with the dog that DH is being a knobhead. If DH is offended, he shouldn’t be listening in to our conversation 🤷🏻‍♀️😂

While he could have chosen better words, the kids brought it on themselves by repeatedly baiting the dog. If they continue teasing animals, one day an animal might retaliate and give them worse than a swear-word. They are old enough to know that this sort of behaviour is wrong.

Hmm I actually think I agree with your dh. Dont worry I really doubt they will tell their parents, they were the ones in the wrong in the first place. If the mum does say anything I would probably tell her teach her children some respect and not to annoy animals, or tell her to fuck off.

Hate kids who deliberately wind up animals. I’m team Dh here.

We had neighbours who’s kid used to torment our dogs and then run off screaming because the dog would be at the fence. The mum tried having ago at me. I wasn’t very polite to her but the kids stopped. Apparently she didn’t like having her parenting skills or contraception usage questioned....

the kids are allowed to be at the back of your house.
Shouting 'woof woof' at the dog to wind it up? I don't think so. Little sods. If any parents complain the OP should point out that they shouldn't be deliberately teasing her dog.

It's not ideal, but maybe they will stop winding your dog up now.

I’m with your DH too. Children that age should know better. If mine had deliberately annoyed a neighbour I would have been mortified.

I'm with your dh

If neighbour says anything, tell her the dc we're winding the dog up. The dc are old enough to know better

Weird title and weird reaction to your dog being terrorised.

Sorry I would have just laughed at this.

I don't swear in front of kids usually but it's not the end of the world that they heard an adult say 'fuck'.

Address the Cujo question, please. It is of vital importance.

As in I would have laughed at what your husband said and I'm with him!

I wouldn't worry op - there is no chance they will say anything to their parents

He wasn't being unreasonable to give out to kids who are trying to wind your dog up.

However surely it's your job to try to control this behaviour in the dog. You say the dog barks at every little noise, it's not fair if the poor little thing is stressed and anxious over all noises and you're not doing anything to help it. That's not a very nice way for the dog to live, to constantly be on alert for threats.

Also it's headwrecking for all of the neighbours to have to listen to a dog barking every time someone walks near it.

The kids are probably so used to hearing the dog bark over everything...even when they walk past and aren't doing any harm at all, that they might not realise they could distress the dog by shouting woof woof at it!

In fairness to your DH, he has dealt with the problem. If neighbour brings it up (they won't) you can say you know nothing! The kids won't mention to their mum, because nobody randomly swears about kids unless there has been an incident to swear about. They would need to explain the circumstances.

I'm with the husband. Although I'm shocked and dismayed that he would use language like that when speaking to the dog! Which is exactly what I'd say to the neighbour if they raise it.