Neighbor problems... Getting rather frustrated. :(

[awesomechickens]

yeah i would duct tape a blowing air horn to the side of the hose of the sn. that will give her somethin to complain about

 

[mom'sfolly]

Speaking from experience....my neighbor has/had dogs left out every night. The little one yaps all night long. The lab would seldom bark, and then only two or three woofs each time. I woke up every time the big dog barked, it was much easier to tune out the constant yap then it was to tune out staccato barks.

Myself, I might get annoyed if several times a week I was awakened from a sound sleep by dog barks. I wouldn't react way your neighbor does. In fact, I figure my neighbor doesn't complain about my roosters, I can do the same for her dogs. But it really depends on the person.

You might want to consider kenneling the dogs over night.

 

[joebryant]

My two Welsh corgis get fed and let out at 6 A.M. and 6 P.M. They go out, do their business, and FLY back inside because they know that they're going to get three small dog biscuits each in the morning and two in the evening for being "good" dogs. They don't have time to bark at anything.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Very bad idea. In some states you cannot record someone without their knowledge and permission. Posting it on youtube without permission would get one in trouble even in those states that allow you to make recordings without other's permission.

 

[welsummerchicks]

I am not going to side with you. I think the way you describe things, and because many are dog owners, it's real easy to get a lot of sympathy here on this bb. And I think you are in the wrong. I think people often go to a bb to get sympathy and to get their idea reinforced and their indignation confirmed, and there are always many people who will go along with them. I think it's very counter productive in many cases.

I think you need to be a lot tougher on your dogs about their barking, and there is nothing that says a dog has to go out late at night. Feed them in the morning instead of at night so they don't have to go out late, and take their water up at 8 pm unless it's very hot. At 10 put them in their crates and leave them there. They will get used to it if you stick to it.

I would be furious if my neighbor had three dogs that barked 'only four times' when I was trying to sleep. Your homes are too close together. Working people need their sleep. The neighbor isn't showing any indication that she's 'stressed', she is just angry. And even if she was stressed, that wouldn't be a valid excuse for being inconsiderate. All the more reason to try and help her out.

In other words, if she has become 'strange neighbor' what has gotten it to that point? Your actions. Never avoid responsibility for how other people respond to you. Think about how you can make it better.

You do not need to take your dogs out after 11 pm. A dog can get used to ANY routine. It is all in whether the owner is willing to cooperate and adjust their schedule to get along with their neighbors or not.

It doesn't matter if you have happened to hear her screaming at people and having argument in her house. I had a REAL loud screaming argument with my boyfriend when he took my dog out for a walk, let go the leash, and it got hit by a car and killed, as well as when he let a cat into the house that killed my canary. You don't have any right to try to find a way to blame her for this problem. This is your problem.

Neighbors are important. You and your neighbors need to stick together. To get along with them requires compromise and give and take and accomondation. And to get along with your neighbor, you can get your dogs to bed earlier and keep them quiet at night. It isn't your right to bother people with your dogs, no matter WHAT any other irresponsible things neighbors do with their dogs.

Be a responsible, cooperative, and flexible dog owner.

Send the lady a note, 'We have discussed our dogs schedule with a professional trainer and asked him for ideas. We've changed our routine so our dogs will be quiet at night and we won't have to take them out later. We'll work very hard on this problem. To peaceful evenings and good friends, Your neighbors'

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

When you take the dogs out, try using a door that is not on hte neighbor's side of your property--in other words, keep your dogs as far from her as possible. Also, you might try taking them out several times earlier in the evenings to see if you can eliminate (excuse the pun) the later evening trips outside. Plant some fast growing tall shrubs that will for a privacy screen along your property line, in front of her windows. Inset the plants enough that you can still erect a fence. I agree with the suggestion of fencing that side as soon as possible. The shrubs should do two things: keep her from looking into your yard as easily, and dampen sound. Obviously newly planted shrubs probably won't do either at first; that is why you want ones that are fast growing.

Do find out exactly what your noise ordinances are, and make sure you are not in violation. From your original post it does not seem that you are likely to be violating it.

The suggestions of having the police or an intimidating friend with you are pretty good, especially since you say you are very timid.

It truly sounds like the SN has issues (politically correct terminology for "is nuts"), and there is nothing you can really do about it so long as she is not violating the law, or a danger to either herself or others. Keep 911 on speed dial; make sure your coop and run doors are locked; prominantly display No Trespassing signs on all sides of your property.

 

[babylady4]

YouTube was a joke. I would videotape the neighbors antics of yelling and screaming so you have proof for whoever if and when things escalate.

Here is a link on the legal ins and outs.

http://communications-media.lawyers.com/privacy-law/Photography-or-Video-Taping-Consent.html

 

[babylady4]

How are homes on one acre lots 'too close together'? Try my neighborhood where we live on 60x120 lots and are literally IN your neighbors yard all the time.

OP already stated there are other dogs in the neighborhood who bark all the time and sometimes all night long and this 'lady' does not complain about them. The SN has a personal issue with the OP and I bet she would complain about anything. It does sound like she is having a hard time but that does not give her the right to make the OP miserable.

Maybe ask the police to just drive around your neighborhood more at night so they can observe the behavior; better than anything else for evidence.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
Sorry, I do not think their houses are too close together. Although she did not describe the layout of her property, she is on an ACRE, not a postage stamp city lot. It is no more imperative for the OP to change her schedule than for the neighbor to change hers. What the OP has described is NOT a legal nuisance, although I strongly agree that she needs to verify that that is in fact the case. The entire thing began when the OP's mother took the dogs out right after the SN had gone inside for the evening; the OP TRIED to talk to the neighbor to reach accommodations. I live in a neighborhood with lots varying from just under a half acre to 1.5 acres. Unless I were to deliberately watch, or happen to be outside at the time, I have no idea of the comings and goings of my next door neighbors or their dogs. And I am at the end of a cul-de-sac, so our front yards are closer than most. Do I ocasionally hear dogs barking at night? Sure...and it usually means that there is something out there that disturbed them.

 

[Chickenmaven]

Quote:
I think you should approach her - or write a note - and ask if you can speak with her. Let her know that you would like to have the nice relationship you used to have.
My family has always had big dogs. We train them only to bark if strangers approach.
It amazes me how many people think that "all dogs bark." One of my professors liked to invite me & my fellow grad students over to discuss research. She had a sheltie that yapped incessantly and charged at her picture window. Any leaf or squirrel would set it off. We were supposed to engage in academic chat while this thing went off like a fire alarm(?)
My point is that she didn't realize how ANNOYING her yappy dog was. I don't think you do either.
Make nice & no yappers after dark!