Wow, this is impressive! OT

[Kathy02]

Ok, this has nothing to do with fitness.
But, we just got some new neighbors in our neighborhood. WE had a lot of dogs in our neighborhood that barked, it was a nasty cicle. One would bark, then another would, and so on. Anyway, this neighbor aparently didn't like the barking, at all. So, they put out a very nasty letter to those of us with dogs stating that they sometimes have to sleep during the day due to work and the dogs are annoying. If we don't get them to shut up they'll call the authorities.
I've never heard my neighborhood so quite.
Now, I'm just guessing as to who sent the letter as they were too chicken to sign it. But I think it's pretty obvious who it was being that nobody else seemed to mind the dogs until they moved in. But I could be wrong.
Anyway, I have to say it's nice to have the quite. My lab was a big offender, but I'd bring him inside as soon as he started to bark, because it annoyed me. But now we keep his shock collar on him and warn him when he barks and he shuts right up. We don't actually shock him, we don't have to. But we warn him with the beep.
I just wish that who ever it was that sent out the letter would have been a little nicer. But they were obviously pissed.
What do you think? Because I think that had that person made the letter a bit more polite, saying please, and not threatening but to the point; that they would have gotten the same results and not pissed off the neighborhood. as I'm sure I'm not the only one that felt it rude to threaten. I felt that all they had to do was ask. Had they asked more than once, then Yes, threaten away. Ya know.
Ok, this got long, I had to vent aparently. Sorry.

Kathy

 

[tneah]

Perhaps knocking on the door, introducing themselves and then explaining the dilemma, would have been a much better approach! Then you all would not have felt like these people are real jerks, and more apt to be sympathetic to their needs or whatever. As is stands, it sounds like they are jacka###'s!

One of my neighbors obviously thought I let my Newf do his business in his yard (never happened, never will, I am a considerate doggie owner well-equipped with poopy bags!) but he left a big huge bag of dog doo on our front doorstep! I was livid, not sure which jerk-off neighbor did this, but thought to myself, "this is a pathetic soul". We have a ton of big dogs on our street...but he assumed it was George. But like I said above about your neighbor, he could have knocked on the door and explained the whole thing, giving me a chance to defend Georgie and my honor!

 

[dorothyrd]

In defense of the neighbor, constantly barking dogs when you are trying to sleep is quite annoying. Most dog people do not seem to realize how annoying it is because they tune it out. Also, no matter how nice they may have put it, the dog people will always take it wrong because you are critisizing their "babies".

So you know, I have a dog, and when she barks, she gets scolded, and brought in immediately. She is also never left out unless I am home to supervise her behaviour.

 

[Kathy02]

Ya know I'm dealing with a situatoin myself where a dog is coming into my yard and pooping. I'm doing some investigative work to figure out who it is so I can go ask that it not happen any longer, or at leas tthat the owner clean it up as my dogs don't go in anyone elses yard. I have enough poop to clean up as it is with my own dogs, ya know.
But, yeah, I try to be a considerate doggie owner too. I think it comes with the territory of owning a dog(s).

Kathy

 

[Mocha]

>Also, no matter how nice they may have put it, the dog people will >always take it wrong because you are critisizing their "babies".

This may be true in theory, but it doesn't sound applicable in this case. According to the OP, these people have not even learned to use the word "please"... back to kindergarten for them! LOL!

 

[janiejoey]

Kathy,

Not controlling animals is such a pet peeve of mine. The experiences I have with my neighbors made us want to move. People can be so darn rude and thoughtless. We can't enjoy our lake, walk or do anything on our own property, because of inconsiderate neighbors with their babies (dogs and cats). We have bird feeders all through our 5 acres and even cats murder the birds that we love to watch. We even have to put our animals in a fenced yard for their protection, or they will be attached.

For consideration of other people, people that have animals should take control of barking, roaming and animal poty. The neighbors that are being offended should never ever have to ask neighbors to control their dogs. Not ever! It should be done automatically.

I have 2 cats and a dog. They are in control always. The animals are in a large fenced in area (for their protection), where they can not get out to bother any one. I know at all times where they are and what they are up to. Molly (that's my dog)knows that once she starts barking, she is inside right then and there. These are my beloved pets, it doesn't mean that other people will like them.

Janie

The idea is to die young as late as possible

www.picturetrail.com/janiejoey

 

[darli ann]

Sorry to say but I can relate to your neighbors dilemna. A retired couple lives across the street from us and they keep a yippy little dog tied up on their front porch all day (and sometimes at night too). It barks whenever another living being is outside, be it another dog, a kid, a delivery man, a butterfly, a bird, me, or ANYone else. Their neighbors next door had to call the sheriff's dept. because the dog was ruining their daughter's graduation party with all the noise. We've all asked "nicely" over the years and it hasn't worked. I've lost all respect for these neighbors and don't talk to them anymore, neither does anyone else.

 

[maddiesmum]

Their "rudeness" is no doubt a direct response to the strength of their annoyance of the constant barking of your dog and the dogs of others. people have a right to peace and quiet you know. I moght have done the same as them. I dislike dogs too. If it was so simple to keep your dog under control, why did you not do so earlier? It makes sense to expect that since you live in a community, any noise above the normal that your house makes is going to disturb someone else. You are offended by their rudeness, but I think they just might be able to point the finger at their own neighbour's lack of consideration for others demonstrated by allowing their dogs to bark so much.

You won't like my opinion, but it might be the opinion of a large part of the general population: the part that is not a dog owner. Doesn't ownership carry certain responsibilites?

Clare

 

[MSJ]

Well, a couple of things.

First of all when dealing with noise issues of any kind with neighbors, we always talk to them in person first. So far this has been effective, although, sometimes we have to talk to them again (and again and again --we have a single mom with six kids next door and the oldest is dealing drugs--they need constant reminding for quiet at night, but they are really trying--obviously this is more than a noise issue--long,involved story I won't go into here)

Second, our city has noise ordinances dealing with all sorts of issues, including dogs, so for those of you who live in neighborhoods with annoying dogs, you might see if there are ordinances in your area which deal with this problem. Sometimes government agencies can be slow respond, but the squeaky wheel--you know. Also, if many sources are complaining and keeping logs,etc, they may be more likely to respond.

If our neighbors did not respond to our face-to face requests for quiet, we would start dealing with the authorities to see if the problem could be solved.

Maggie

 

[andtckrtoo]

Clare - I understand what you're saying, but this is a neighborhood and dogs do bark, kids scream while playing, people run lawn mowers - all of which make more noise than normal. If the barking is excessive, there's a chance the dog's people are unaware of it (if the dog only barks when they aren't there for example). So, why resort to rudeness as a first tactic?

Of course there have been situations when I was so miffed that I scribbled out a scathing letter, but I always make sure I sleep on it and re-read it in the morning. And when I re-read it, I always tone it down and make it more reasonable. I find if I want people to cooperate and do it voluntarily and without resentment, I get better results when I approach them in a rational manner.

 

[PhyllisG]

I had something similar a few years ago. Someone complained to the town about a trailer I had on my property and wanted it removed. We had new neighbors so I assumed it was them. I spoke to them about it and found out they had NOT complained. It was a different neighbor who wanted to sell his house and thought my trailer was an eyesore. Then I found out he had been considering buying my property. He told me that himself. This went on until he finally sold his house and moved. But I remember how stressful the whole situation was and I hope you get it resolved without too much anxiety.

 

[Gayle]

While I sympathize with the need for quiet, this approach was lame at best, IMO.

Sounds like a good way to immediately alienate oneself from the rest of the neighborhood...what a way to live.

 

[Mocha]

A couple of people have brought up the point that the neighbors should have never had to ask... and while this is true, I have to agree with Christine, that that still does not excuse rudeness, or make it any more effective. The fact is and always will be that in any kind of group, you *will* need to remind people to do things that they should do automatically (anyone here have to remind family members to pick up their socks? LOL!)

IMO, manners allow imperfect people to exist together a little more harmoniously. I don't think anyone is taking issue here with weather the dogs should be controlled or not... people just don't like the rude approach of the neighbor. People are going to make mistakes, let their dogs bark, leave their clothes out, forget to mail a bill, etc. A classy person responds to the mistakes of others with tact, direction, and grace.

In this situation, two offenses were committed: 1) the neighbors allowed their dogs to bark, and 2) the rude letter was delivered. The only people who responded with any kind of grace and tact were the "dog people".