Dog Community

Neighbor/Fence Vent

Posted : 3/5/2006 10:44:53 AM

Last fall we replaced our picket fence with a 6' vinyl privacy fence. The main reason that put up a new fence was because we had some new neighbors move in with several little kids and my dogs were going crazy barking at them. So we spent a huge amount of money (8K) on a privacy fence and it solved the problem, the dogs couldn't see the kids and stopped barking, and I didn't have to worry about the kids sticking their fingers or other things through the picket fence. Plus, I really loved the privacy of it all. But then guess what happened? The neighbors built one of those combination swing-set/slide/fort things. And despite the fact that their backyard is huge and includes one section that doesn't butt up to anyone else's yard - they installed this contraption right next to my fence. The fort-part of it rises well above the top of my fence and anyone who is up there can look right into my yard, and of course the dogs can also see people when they are up there. A few days ago I was sitting in my sun room, in my pajamas, enjoying a cup of coffee and I looked up to see the father up in the fort and he was staring right into my sun room - and waving at me! That was bad enough, but then yesterday morning I let the dogs out and I heard them going nuts barking. I looked outside, and there are 3 or 4 kids up in the fort and then one of them threw a rock at one of my dogs! Once again, I was in my

j's (I really need to start getting dressed earlier) and by the time I threw some clothes on and got outside the kids weren't there. I intend to go over and discuss the rock-throwing incident with the parents. No, this isn't a vent about kids, and it's not even a vent about those fort things, although I think they are ugly. I'm just so bummed out that they decided to put it right next to my new fence and now I'm still going to have to keep my dogs inside whenever the kids are playing in it. My only consolation is that I know the kids will quickly outgrow this thing. I have two different sets of friends who built them and their kids got too big for them within a year or two and now they are unused rusting/rotting hulks in their yard, which is what I'll get to look at for heaven knows how many years. This is the view from my sun room. Nice huh?

glenmar

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:00:09 AM

Wow, Kelly, that stinks! And the darn thing is too close to your fence to accidently toss something flamable up there.......[8|][

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magilacudy

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:00:09 AM

Could you not go over and tell them that they need to have more respect for your dogs?

sheltiemom

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:17:53 AM

Minimom,

Your fence is LOVELY !!!

So sad that the neighbours are .... well,... are the way they are.

minimom

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:22:20 AM

lol, Glenda, yeah I'd probably burn down my own fence and end up in jail!

Angel, I definitely intend to tell the parents about the rock-throwing, but other than that - I don't see what I can do. Obviously the kids are going to want to play in their new fort, and if the dogs are out there and see them in the fort, they are going to bark.

dasher

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:24:16 AM

What a bummer!! Some people really just don't think things through, it really amazes me!! I would say something to the neighbors about the rock throwing though...that would really bother me. (As well as the neighbor getting a birds eye view into my sunroom!! But I would need to pick my battles!! [8|])

glenmar

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:26:01 AM

Yep, that's what would happen to me. I'd be crying over my ruined fence all the way to the cell!!

guess you're gonna have to start wearing flannel pj's so the dad isn't getting his jollies staring at you! What a turd!

racuda

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:28:57 AM

One word: Termites!

glenmar

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:31:19 AM

GREAT idea!! I wonder where you can buy them.......

minimom

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:34:05 AM

Hmmm, that's an idea Randall!

Maybe I should start drinking my morning coffee in the nude and then Mrs. Neighbor will keep the kids AND the hubby out of the fort!

glenmar

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:35:47 AM

Or at the least wear something sooooo flipping sexy that it'll drive MRS neighbor to the bottle!! Be sure to sit in a provacative pose too.....

karin

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:37:18 AM

Nice fence, crummy situation. I would be upset too.

karin

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:42:31 AM

Kelly, that is exactly what I was thinking! I am a brat, and normally my plan would be to shock the neighbors. Just walk out and bring the dogs in with very little on. Then when they complain, say "I had no idea that anyone would be able to see me, since I have a privacy fence." Act very confused, and hope that your neighbors wife will insist on moving the fort. [

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dubilpie

Posted : 3/5/2006 11:56:41 AM

I would definately talk to the neighbors. Is there anyway you could bring the kids over to your yard and have them meet the dogs? If the kids get to know the dogs and get friendly with them, maybe they would be nicer to them. Just a thought.

sandra_slayton

Posted : 3/5/2006 1:18:44 PM

Heck, you should see the fence our neighbors put up. On those wood privacy fences the braces and posts are suppose to go on the OWNER"S side. Well, She bout those premade sections. The posts were set to far apart, so they had to nail the end of one section to a 2x4 and then nail the end of the next section to it also. Also the yard slopes . So the fence almost looks like stairs was each section drops from 6 to 10 inches below the one above it. AND they put the smooth picket side to their yard and the braces posts, etc to my side. Talk about ugly. You have the 4x4 post and thne 6 feet down you have the 2x4 because the premade fence was about 2 fewet short of the post. Then you have the post and then another 4 feet on down, you have the 2/4 and then 4 feet the post, then 2 feet the 2x4. It looks so darn tacky. They were tearing down the old one when I left for church and when I got home after church and pot luck, the new fence was up. I was sick when I saw it.