Dogs in the garden

[Mommabear20]

We have 3 terrier type dogs, since we moved in 5 years ago, they have had constant access to the back garden during the summer months between 9am-7pm, it's fully enclosed and they much prefer being outside than in. We've had the same neighbour's since we moved in so they're well aware of our dogs being out all day, and have never mentioned it, our dogs don't bark when they're outside, (inside is another matter!).
Our neighbour's got a rescue dog (unsure of breed, but it's pretty big!) 3 months ago. Now any time they let it out, if 1 of ours is in our garden, it starts barking and snarling at them through the fence, (small gaps between the blanks of wood. I've put chicken wire on our side since they got the dog to stop it getting a paw through to ours.) scaring our dogs senseless. I haven't said anything as I knew it was a rescue (they told us) and felt it needed time to settle in and get used to ours being there. However after 3 months, our neighbour's have kicked off that our dogs are distressing for their dog and they MUST now be kept inside, and we should come up with a rota for when each house can have their dogs outside!
AIBU to think my dogs should be able to use their own garden whenever they please and it's down to the neighbours to get some sort of training for their dog?

Yanbu. They should get a solid fence, that should help (though my dog barks at any sound from the other gardens)

So your dogs don’t react at all when the neighbours dog starts barking? Amazing! Good dogs. Mine would be barking like mad at it.
its a hard solve really, but it must be driving the rest of your neighbours crazy. Could you walk the dogs together to help the rescue dog feel less threatened by your dog?

A walk together is a fab idea. Meanwhile, if the dog snarls etc, I’d suggest they socialise it and get some training. Why should your well behaved dogs suffer?

Please don't get into a conversation about a rota! They need to train their ddog. End of.

I like the idea of walks together.

also sounds like you need to work with the neighbour to sort the fence properly

Don't get into any rota discussion. As previously suggested the idea of them walking together is an excellent idea. Be open and receptive to ideas but you'll have to be firm.

Nope, no rota required. It's unfortunate that their dog has issues but if your dogs aren't barking or causing problems through the fence then it's their problem. They need to consider what they can do to help their dog, block fencing on their side etc.

I'm sure everyone can try and appreciate that these are animals and we don't know what happened to their new dog. However if yours have lived their quiet outdoor life for several years it does seem unfair to now restrict them.

We have a rescue who has a big issue with next doors dog. Never crossed my mind to suggest a rota. We all live in hope that one day they will be friends. Their dog does not antagonise or bark at ours. It's all ours

A few walks together is a good idea and definitely worth trying.

If it doesn’t work your neighbour could put in a better barrier between your gardens - a thick hedge alongside the fence or something - which would put your dogs more out of sight from their dog. My dog is oblivious to things she can’t see, but I know some dogs will still be interested in what they can smell/hear (which obviously a hedge won’t solve).

Could the neighbour section off a bit of the garden for their dog away from your boundary fence?

There is nothing wrong with the walk idea if you want to do it. You don't need to if you do not want to as your dogs are trained. The neighbour is the one with the problem, they need to find the solution. Obviously it would be helpful to compromise but your dogs are already well trained.

Are your dogs that angelic that they neve make a peep in the garden, really? When they bark inside? I think there is a little compromise to be made. Maybe if you hear next doors dog out, call yours in so they're not all getting wound up. Get a much better fence. It's not angelic v evil dog here, it's about owners making everyone's life easier...unless you like hearing the dogs going at each other all the time!

I wouldn’t engage with the neighbour about a rota. Continue as you are.

We have neighbours with a pretty territorial rescue dog and he barks whenever we are in the garden. Our dog ignores him now but did whine a bit at it in the beginning. We make sure to chat to the dog and call it by name. It’s easier in that we are friends with the neighbours and socialise together so their dog now knows us well.

They do tell their dog off though or call it inside.

I think the suggestion of walking them together a few times so they get used to each other is a good one if the neighbours are receptive. Being friendly and chatty to the dog may also help.

Once the dogs all get used to each other it should calm down. You could suggest sharing the cost of a visit from a dog behaviourist so that you have suggestions form them and are all working from the same page. Ours neighbours got a behaviourist in and we were involved in a couple of sessions which helped.

You could suggest sharing the cost of a visit from a dog behaviourist so that you have suggestions form them and are all working from the same page.

Why should OP have to pay for a behaviourist when the problem is the neighbour's dog? OP's dogs are perfectly behaved.

YANBU. It is up to them to sort out their dog's behaviour, not yours to restrict what your well-behaved dogs do in their own garden (said as the owner of a dog and yes, we had to puppy proof the garden to stop him and his 'best buddy' next door inviting themselves to each others' houses of play dates haha. No way would I entertain the idea of a rota in my now garden.
Adopting a nervous dog is admirable, but should only be done if you have the experience to handle it and deal with the behaviour. Too many amateurs are adopting dogs with serious behaviour issues (not the dog's fault at all) and they just don't know how to handle it, so inflict their dogs on others with the old chestnut 'he's nervous/unfriendly/a rescue'. Ok great, no problem - so do something about it! There are excellent behaviourists out there who can help you! My neighbour adopted a dog from Romania who had had an awful past. Would bark and snarl at everyone at first. 18 months on, she is a calm, lovely girl and even lets kids stroke her. But that is after 18 months of HARD WORK, a huge amount of time and effort that they were willing to put in.

Socialize all the dogs, not full on just a quick greeting and sniff, 3 seconds is enough, after a few meetings as long as the other dog isn't reactive it should calm down and stop barking.

Their dog is the one causing the problem, yet they're trying to dictate to you what you can do on your own property. Absolutely amazing. I'd tell them to jog on, and I wouldn't entertain any discussion of a rota.

YANBU. They sound absolutely bonkers.
Their dog’s behavior is their problem to solve, not yours. If their dog is going to suddenly attack another dog or person, are they going to say too that it was provoked because the dog didn’t like the presence/look/whatever of the victim?
I would tell them as long as it’s not YOUR dogs that are making noise and causing nuisance, nobody gets to tell you when they’re in your garden. Cheeky fuckers.
I would consider complaining to the council about them to make sure they know you’re not putting up with their nuisances and attempted gaslighting.

Completely understand your position. We moved into our house about 12mths ago. We have 2 dogs who love to play outside and our rear garden is 100% dog proof.

One of the neighbours has a couple of very yappy dogs. About the size of a rabbit (Sorry i dont know the breed). If we open the door or our dogs make the slightest noise chasing a ball, they start yapping. TBH it doesnt bother me as she is a responsible owner. She has even double boared her side of the fence to limit any kind of sight between the two gardens. She calls them in when others are around etc. It hasnt made the slightest difference tbh, but if someone is making an effort, thats more than enough for me.

Thankfully my two, other than the odd bark dont really make much noise.

Your neighbours are going to have to put some work in to train their dog, dog proof their side of the garden or do what most other dog owners do, take it for a walk.

Try the good suggestion of walks together.

I want to stress, my dogs are NOT angels! 😂 they bark like mad in the house, and pull on leads when out for a walk but there is something about the garden that is comforting to them and they don't bark (unless we're out with them playing with them) and don't react to next doors dog, other than to run inside.
I love the idea of a walk but given our dogs behaviour when out, it would probably make things worse🤦‍♀️ 2 of the 3 have been attacked when out and about, so they're defensive and reactive when out, which is why we moved to the house we have as they have a huge garden to roam and play in without risk of other dogs being off leash.

@JemimaHumdrum - they shouldn’t really but as this is an ongoing issue and likely to get worse it may be worth it in the spirit of ongoing neighbourly relations. And a peaceful garden. As I said our neighbours got us involved in a couple of sessions with their behaviourist but didn’t ask us to pay. They were using the behaviourist anyway.

This is one of those things where you have to take a step back and realise that someone (your neighbour) is trying to make their problem, your problem. Don’t accept that.

Just keep repeating ‘oh, that’s such a shame. Yes, it was fine before [new dog]’. If your dogs are not barking, it is not your problem.