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Original poster

To say something to the boys that wind my dog up

28 replies

Got99ProblemsBut · 11/10/2020 17:53

There are two lads that walk their dog past my house every day, about 13yrs-ish in age. A couple of years ago their dog was growling/snapping at my toddler and my Ddog got defensive about it, and now absolutely hates their dog.

They’ve recently taken a big liking to Dcat, she’s friendly and will walk up the drive to be petted but if they stand and pet her, their dog winds mine up through the gate (growling and barking etc) and my Ddog starts to bark and is very agitated.

They don’t walk away when this happens, they stay there and stroke Dcat for about 10minutes, they even sit at the end of my drive and fuss her. At first I was bringing Ddog in when it happened but then, they started trying to take Dcat home. At first they would “chch” her as they left so she would follow them. And last couple of times they’ve picked her up to walk off with her Sad I stopped bringing Ddog in hoping it would scare them off a bit but now I’ve caught them telling my Ddog off through the fence and “squaring up” to her Confused

The whole time this is happening their dog is pulling them off their feet, growling and barking at mine but they still just stand there. My DH once politely asked them to move along as Ddog was wound up but it hasn’t stopped them.

They seem very obsessive with Dcat and if she’s nowhere to be seen they will “chchch” for ages and even call her out of my house. I genuinely don’t mind people petting her but it’s clear they want to take her Blush

With them being children I haven’t a clue what to do or say. Any help please in what’s appropriate to tell them?

OP posts:
SerialStitcher · 11/10/2020 17:59

Could you try approaching it as a safety aspect first of all i.e. "Hi boys, I know you like saying hello to Tiddles but we really don't want to encourage her to leave the garden as so many cats get run over. Can you please help keep her safe by not calling her over?".

imfatletsparty · 11/10/2020 18:02

Someone will be along in a minute to tell you to train your dog out of barking at them. Just tell them straight to piss off and leave your pets alone.

eatsleepread · 11/10/2020 18:06

Oh no, I was going to say that's really sweet about the cat, until you said they're trying to get her to leave. That's really not on.
I would try approaching them in a friendly way in the first instance, and politely ask them not to do it. There's no point in taking a reactive stance at the very start, as they know where you live!
If that doesn't work, escalate it from there. But give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

omega3 · 11/10/2020 18:08

Are they coming by at a regular time? If so, I'd have both animals inside, if poss = non-event for them and gets them out of the habit, hopefully!

eatsleepread · 11/10/2020 18:10

Also, is their dog muzzled? Snapping at a toddler isn't ideal. I have a horrible vision of a gangly 13 year old trying to cling onto a German Shepherd's leash!

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 11/10/2020 18:16

Follow them home and speak to their parents. Or just tell them to sod off

Nottherealslimshady · 11/10/2020 18:27

I shout "leave her alone please" when kids pester my dog. And then thankyou. I'd also be telling them to put the cat down. What do you do when you see them pick her up? Just watch?

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 11/10/2020 18:29

They are 13 year old idiots and getting the cat to follow them is a test of the cat liking them, and proof of them having a "way" with animals, I think.
That said you have to tell them. also think omega3's idea of keeping both inside to break the habit. Its on the way home entertainment for them, they probably think its hilarious. Its probably not intentional.

2bazookas · 11/10/2020 18:31

" Oh hello boys, just let me get a picture of both with Dcat, in case she disappears. "

Original poster
Got99ProblemsBut · 11/10/2020 19:03

Some good suggestions thank you!

I’ll have to note the times and see if they’re coming around the same time, when they try to take Dcat I come out the house with a box of treats, shake them and call of her and she runs back home. So they know I want her home, they’re usually a bit up the road by this point

Their dog isn’t muzzled no, it’s medium sized breed (like a lab) and they’ve been walking it alone since it was a pup and they were far too young to be without an adult and in control of a dog. I assume their parents agreed to get them one if they looked after it themselves but it isn’t trained at all

OP posts:
Krampusasbabysitter · 11/10/2020 19:04

I'd be a bit alarmed about their intentions towards the cat. They are actually trying to take the cat, which would really worry me as to for what purpose, especially as they appear to have an aggressive dog.

Giggorata · 11/10/2020 19:19

I would certainly photograph them, either by saying what 2bazookas said, or covertly.Maybe even film them trying to take the cat, or goading your dog.
I would keep my animals in, at least for a while, and if they have a regular time, at that point.
I might get DH to follow them home, and take it from there with their parents or carers. They are clearly not responsible enough to have sole care of their dog, egging it on to be aggressive, and no one wants to pay vet's fees after a dogfight, or be liable if their dog bites a child.
If no joy there, I might discuss it with a community police officer.

CSIblonde · 11/10/2020 22:34

Trying to lure her away?That's not on. I'd be having stern words with them to stop any fussing altogether. Is it always the same time? If so i'd be around for a few days to make sure they get the message. I had to do the same with a child next door who trys to pick my cat up by her tail. He doesn't do it any more since I had a word .

Turtleturtle81 · 11/10/2020 22:44

@Krampusasbabysitter

I'd be a bit alarmed about their intentions towards the cat. They are actually trying to take the cat, which would really worry me as to for what purpose, especially as they appear to have an aggressive dog.
These were my thoughts. I would be keeping my cat indoors if this was happening to me.
Shizzlestix · 11/10/2020 23:01

Take pictures, perfectly legal in public. Post all over neighbourhood Facebook page with the title ‘Anyone know these two? They keep trying to steal my cat’. Any clues where they live? I’d want serious words with their parents.

Are you just standing watching and being polite to them when their idiot dog is barking and they’re trying to steal your cat? I’d be going crazy and bollocking them. Keep your animals in if they always appear at the same time. Brats!

AmyandPhilipfan · 11/10/2020 23:06

I think the next time I saw them picking up the cat, or encouraging it up the road, I’d be straight out there and sternly saying something like,
‘Boys! Stop trying to take my cat. I watch you do this every day and it’s not on. Our dogs clearly don’t get on so please walk your dog straight past in future and don’t stop here again!’

Junkmail · 11/10/2020 23:06

I don’t even know why this is a question? I’ve had this before—kids standing with their dog winding mine up through the fence. I told them straight up to fuck off and I’ve not seen them again. Why are you even debating? They’re hassling your dog and attempting to steal your cat?? Tell them to get lost.

BlankTimes · 11/10/2020 23:16

when they try to take Dcat I come out the house with a box of treats, shake them and call of her and she runs back home. So they know I want her home, they’re usually a bit up the road by this point

It will soon occur to them to buy a box of treats and shake them and call your cat.

You need to be very pro-active and keep your cat and dog indoors for a good while until the boys learn there's no fun to be had at your place and go and target someone else.

AmuckAmuckAmuck · 11/10/2020 23:20

oh please don’t touch dcat, she’s developed scabies and can pass them to humans

😉

Mydogmylife · 11/10/2020 23:25

Tell them to F off!!!! I think you're being far too passive they're trying to take your cat for goodness sake- and the winding up of your dog is absolutely not on . Grow a backbone

CatChant · 11/10/2020 23:32

I would be very worried about their intentions towards the cat. Such behaviour rings alarm bells.

Protect your pets OP. These children sound creepy.

Deux · 11/10/2020 23:32

Say to them that whilst DCat looks healthy she actually has FIV, cat AIDs, that it makes her unpredictable at times and you’d hate for her to scratch them or bite them.....

Throckmorton · 12/10/2020 00:04

I'd be worried they are trying to take your cat to use as bait. Sorry it's a horrible thought, but really their actions are pretty disturbing.

SimplyPizza · 12/10/2020 00:08

Why don’t you try keeping your own cat inside your own house and then you wouldn’t have this problem. Good grief , I wonder about people sometimes

AdobeWanKenobi · 12/10/2020 00:11

@SimplyPizza

Why don’t you try keeping your own cat inside your own house and then you wouldn’t have this problem. Good grief , I wonder about people sometimes
Well bloody hell OP someone has solved it! Absolutely try and keep your cat in. Meanwhile, in the real world......