Need advice on neighbor communication

[avebury]

My next door neighbors have 2 sweet, very energetic young dogs who they frequently leave out in their backyard. Since they got the puppy, the dogs have started digging a trench along their side of the metal fence I installed (unearthing a lot of the cement block that holds one of the fence posts). I expect to come home sometime to find that they have dug their way into my backyard. I like the dogs but know that 1) they would be too much for my 15 year old dog and 2) they might then be able to jump out of my yard into the field on the other side if they were so inclined. We live on a really busy street and so it would not be good for the dogs to get loose because they could get hit by a car.

They are hard to catch up with to talk to them about filling in the fence. Do you think that leaving a note on their door might do the trick just as well?

[Callmecrazy]

1. I sprinkled some chili powder around where my dogs were digging...

They sniffed around a minute and lost interest real quick.

[hobbit709]

3. wouldn't have worked with one dog I had.

He would eat habaneros.

[NJCher]

2. in person

I think you should talk to them in-person. Leave the note, but ask for a time to speak in person with them.

I have a 5-step technique for this type of thing and which I teach in interpersonal communication classes. I'll copy and paste it into a pm if you want it.




Cher

[orleans]

5. is it too long to paste it into this thread? it might be helpful for a lot of us! n/t

Last edited Sun Nov 2, 2014, 02:20 PM - Edit history (1)

on edit: forgot the e in paste!

[NJCher]

7. I know, sounds odd

But this is a technique that is copyrighted and for which I signed an agreement that I would not publish it. That's why I didn't want to put it on a message board.



Cher

[orleans]

8. okay--i didn't realize that but i completely understand

my friend is a film critic & he gets screeners--they are either encoded with numbers that could be traced back to him personally if the film should ever be found on youtube or other sites, or the film screener actually has his name enbeded in it.

so i totally get it. that's okay.

[avebury]

6. That would be great!

The neighbors are very nice but I do get concerned about the amount of time they leave the dogs in the backyard. They (dogs) often lay by my fence when I am in my backyard. I usually go over and pet them and talk to them. My biggest concern (besides the fence) is the water issue. They keep 2 water bowls out and I never have seen them filled with fresh water. That forces the dogs to go to the fish pond to drink. There is netting over the pond but I have seen puppy what on it go get water. The pond is not deep enough for the dogs to drown but they might get caught up in the netting. I will stay out of that issue but continue to watch the situation as winter arrives and the pond freezes up.

[orleans]

4. notes, like emails, don't always convey the sensitivity you might need to have or show

in various situations

if you have to leave a note i think you should express what you were saying here about the dogs being sweet/cute, and the concern for them in your yard--not knowing how your dog would react to them and the fact that they could jump the fence and get loose by the street, etc.

you might put your phone number on the note and ask them to call you so you can all figure something out whereby the fence post can remain sturdy, etc.

good luck.