New neighbours complaining that our kids are distressing their dog

[InYerFace]

New neighbours (a couple, late 40s so similar age to us, but no kids) came around last night to complain that the sound of our teen boys playing in the garden was upsetting their dog who is a rescue, very nervous and reactive to sound.

I'm really torn on what to do. I'm sympathetic to their situation and I really don't want to fall out with them. I know the dog has problems because it barks at us from his side of the fence whenever we go out in the garden. When they came round to complain they brought the dog with them to show us what it's like - the woman had it in her arms and it spent the whole time growling and baring its teeth.

The kids had two friends over yesterday and they were playing basketball. My dilemma is that while I'm sympathetic, I don't think the noise they were making was excessive - no screaming, no music blaring, just the sound of kids playing in the garden. The ball doesn't thud loudly on the floor as the garden is grass with no paving or decking so its muffled, but it does clatter when it hits the hoop.

I get that the clatter would be annoying after a while, but I wouldn't say it was any more annoying than the noise of their dog barking at us through the fence and I wouldn't dream of complaining about that. It's just part and parcel of life.

Last set of neighbours never complained about the kids playing, but they did have grandkids of their own who came regularly and made a fair bit of noise so they were probably as immune to the noise of kids playing as we are!

They also said they were worried that the ball would come over and hit their dog, even though it didn't.

I've told the kids they're not to play basketball anymore to keep neighbourly relations cordial, but it is a shame as they absolutely love it and it will probably mean they're just inside playing X Box.

The problem is is that because they're teens, most of the games they'd want to play in the garden do involve some kind of ball. Do I just resign myself to a summer of them sat inside? We do have a local park but it's quite some distance away and seems a shame they can't use their own garden.

[MinnieGirl]

Any update OP?

[NumberTheory]

@InYerFace

The dog seems to have the run of the garden at all times, but that could be because it's warm at the moment so they've always got the back door open. They both work from home so no need to close their back door, I'm guessing.

I would bet a fair amount of money that they have the back door open all day so they don’t have to listen to their dog growling at them while they work.

You may have become inured to your kids’ noise, or you may not. But the complaint your neighbour has made is not a reasonable one - expecting your kids not to play so the nervous dog they got can have the run of the garden all day.

One think I did notice in your OP you said the hoop rattles when the ball hits it - some of this is inevitable, but it can be minimized by tightening screws and using rubber padding on some touch points.

[Vodkafairy99]

Ummmm, your kids playing in their own yard- probably making normal kid noises. Think new neighbours need to wind necks in....ffs 🤦

[Greenpolkadot]

They need to train their dog if they are worried that a ball will 'freak it out '.'
And it sounds aggressive anyway
Don't be bullied into pandering to the dogs whims. Let your kids play outside.
As another poster said..give times when the kids will be playing and suggest she takes the bloody animal indoors for thaT time