My new NDN has three dogs. Help?!

[Gila15]

As per the title, we moved in a few months ago. We’re a couple with one small dog, and next door is also a couple with 3 large dogs.

They have no control over the dogs at all. One in particular, can scale the fence and jump into our garden, 🤷🏻‍♀️ which he does on a regular basis. One of them is trying to dig a hole under the shared fence. They all bark constantly.

I’ve approached them and asked if they could do something about it, and the response was that the dogs are young and will settle down.

About 20 mins ago, one of their dogs got into our garden, came into the house as the back door was open, and ran amok barking, jumping and dragging dirt all over our new carpets. I was genuinely scared as was my small dog. 😞

I’m now sitting with the doors and windows closed, when I would like to be sitting in my garden.

What the hell can I do? I’m so pissed off.

Whatever you do, don't try to talk to these people - they have shown they're antisocial. Just call the dog warden.

There are things you can do, OP. Add trellis but ask a landscaper to design one that is not climbable (e.g. vertical slats). Plant a spiky hedge in front of the fence, two rows deep. (Preferably your neighbour would do this so the dogs cannot get to the fence to climb it). Install a roller/spinning cylinder on top of the fence so the dogs cannot get purchase. There are also wire fence extenders that sit at 45 degrees. It's a copout your neighbour saying 'there is not much they can do'.

OP. Do you know what breed these dogs are. Sorry if I have missed it earlier.

@Gila15 i fast forward to the end of this thread. I was truly shocked by your neighbours attitude.

If you have the money then i would put up a construction that slopes upwards from your fence at such an angle that the dogs will be unable to scale it and will slide back. a bit like a a cat fence.

Or in the alternative invest in a row of tall packed together pencil firs. You can purchase quite mature ones. Or something super prickly like pyracanthas.

Anything you attach to the top of a fence is not a part of a fence legally speaking.

From my own perspective, barbed wire would be on the top of my fence straight away.

you really do not have to put up with it.

How do they get their dog back when it’s come into the garden?

Id leave it in the garden and ignore any knocks for a few hours. If they trespass, take a photo.

I would be fucking mental with this. As if the barking isn't bad, OF COURSE they can stop their dogs getting into your garden and house - they just don't want to.

Each dog is allowed out one by one with one of the owners, or not, and they just walk them on a lead.

😂Im sorry - I know I shouldn't laught becuase it's an awful situation you find yourself in...but your writing is really humourous "they long to savage me" and "they savage me in their hearts" 😂

Love these suggestions :)
A good anti-burglary deterrent aswell 👏

@EvieBB Lol I see what you mean! It is kind of funny, I am sure they dream about mauling me! I hope they never get their wish!

If you can’t increase the height of the fence , put something spikey on the top

For those saying use barbed wire or nails and the like - it is strictly unlawful to place barbed wire (or any anti-climb spikes) in a way that creates a danger to people or animals in the UK.
What is wrong with you?

It is entirely the owners' fault and responsibility for not training their dogs and not keeping them in their own garden by any and all humane means - they should put up trellis if that's what it takes. Their dog being in your garden, let alone your house is completely unreasonable.

If the NDNs do nothing I would put up trellis - it's not fencing, just a plant support, and report the dogs but don't harm them or let them loose on a road where they can run out on to a road and cause an accident - possible criminal negligence on your part if there is an accident and people, or the dog, are injured..

Contact the Council: Reach out to the Dog Warden service through your local council to report a nuisance animal.
Contact the Police: If the dog is acting aggressively or making you feel unsafe in your own home, you can report a dangerously out of control dog by calling 101 (the non-emergency number), or 999 if there is an immediate danger or threat of an attack.

You can contact Citizens Advice to help mediate with your neighbour to resolve the issue if talking to them doesn't work.

Could you add Willow or bamboo screening roll to the top of your fence? Not climbable like trellis and it's quite cheap.

No, don’t do that or think that is ok.

There’s a difference between ‘can’t’ and ‘won’t’, OP.

I suspect as they suddenly have 3 from nowhere they have inherited them or similar, and as such they aren’t really wanted? Which explains why they aren’t being provided enrichment games, being stimulated and are making their own ‘entertainment’.

Is it worth reporting to 101? Police can do background and welfare checks on the dogs and crappy owners.

Are the dogs going into the neighbours the other side too?

Get the Police involved, its a criminal offence

A few questions

1. Do they own the house
2. Is there an Estate management company? They might get involved

Send them a link for the cat proofing it should work for dogs as well .

I agree put something like a trellis up. Ignore the whole increase the fence thing. I am sure if it come to light they would understand considering your circumstances. Then do something to reinforce the bottom of the fence area so they can't get through. Could you maybe set up a sprinkler so that if they get to close it goes off as a deterrent. As the owners are going to do bugger all you will have to stop the dogs somehow. I agree don't put them on the street it's not really the dogs fault !

You don’t seem angry enough to be honest. Will it take your little dog getting mauled?

this seems to have become the way it is and you seem to be accepting it.

what if you have a baby or a small child visits your house?

your garden surely is essentially off limits and it sounds like you can’t even leave your back door open.

to neighbours… “just so you know my back gate is broken - if the dogs get in the garden there is risk of them getting out the front. You know how the developers are! They’ll fix it when they fix it” - and wedge open your back gate when you’re not using it to keep your own dog in.

this is natural consequences. You’re not actually letting their dog out. But when it gets out of their house it’s more likely to escape and create work for them rather than linger in your garden or house. They clearly can secure the areas they want or presumably their dog would be escaping around the neighbourhood rather than just your garden.

This is horrific. You've now had a dog come into your home and cause a physical injury (burn).
I'd be ramping things up a notch or two. Show your neighbours you are deadly serious.
Contact citizens advice or a solicitor (or you may have legal advice through your employer or home insurer). Find out what actual remedies are open to you. And log EVERYTHING, with photos if you can. Act on the advice you receive.
Good luck.

Don't get why people even want/ need THREE dogs . The house must stink !

Your neighbours could always add wall/fence planters along the top of the fence to make it wider and creating an overhang on their side that would stop the dogs getting over.

If the dog kept getting into my house or garden I would be opening the gate/front door to the street and shooing them out, not returning them. Hopefully the warden will then pick them up as a lost dog.

All these people advocating for barbed wire or putting the dog out on the road are psychotic. It’s not the dog’s fault it hasn’t been properly trained. OP as a dog owner yourself, I’m sure you will ignore the insane advice that would harm the dog. However, the neighbours are unbelievable. I would definitely be reporting them at this stage, since you have asked nicely already. I would warn the owners that if the dog gets into your garden again, reporting is your next step. How incredibly selfish they sound. They shouldn’t have dogs in the first place.

Plastic spikes on fence top