Redditor Lets Their Dog Destroy Balls Coming From Neighbor's Yard, Wonders If They Should Do Something About It

"If he's inside and sees it out the back door, he barks until I let him out, then attacks the ball."

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• August 25, 2023

Living next door to a family with a young son who loves to play with inflatable balls in their yard has caused a bit of a tricky situation for a single adult and their dog. You see, the 5-year-old boy's balls often end up flying over the fence into the neighbor's yard.

That's where the dog comes in. This dog really loves its yard and goes after those balls like there's no tomorrow. If the dog gets to the ball first, well, that ball isn't bouncing back.

The neighbor does their best to save the balls, but sometimes the dog wins, leaving a deflated mess to toss back over the fence. The question now is, is the neighbor wrong for not doing more to stop the dog from wrecking the toys?

On one hand, the neighbor knows the destroyed balls aren't going to make the family happy. They could try to train the dog not to attack the balls or keep it on a leash when outside. That would be a nice thing to do.

But on the other hand, the neighbor thinks, "Why should I have to go through all that trouble just because the kid can't keep his balls in his yard?" They feel like it's not their problem to solve.

The situation is complex, and there may not be a clear right or wrong answer. Perhaps a solution lies in communication and compromise. Read the full story and the most interesting comments:

OP asks:

They live in a suburban area, next to a family with a 5-year-old son. His ball often ends up in OPs yard, where the dog destroys it

OP is wondering if they should do more, train the dog or prevent it from reaching the ball.

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the a-hole:

Dogs, our loving and loyal companions, can display a wide range of behaviors. One common trait among many dogs is a strong sense of territory.

It's not uncommon for dogs to feel protective over their home, yard, or even their favorite human. But why are some dogs so territorial, and what does this behavior look like?

Territorial behavior in dogs can often be traced back to their ancestors. In the wild, territory meant survival. A specific area could provide food, water, and a safe place to rest, so protecting it was crucial. Some of this instinct has carried over into domestic dogs.

These are all good questions:

This is a possibility, and maybe OP should explain to the neighbors

This Redditor believes OP is at fault in this situation

This is potentially dangerous to the dog.

"Your dog should not be running out of any door without your permission"

According to this Redditor, OP is a bad owner

Both OP and their neighbors have some training to do

It is his yard...

The situation is complex, and there may not be a clear right or wrong answer. Perhaps a solution lies in communication and compromise.

Open dialogue with the neighbors could lead to a mutual understanding. Maybe the family can invest in balls less prone to flying over the fence, or the neighbor might agree to minor adjustments in handling their dog.

Ultimately, the question of whether the neighbor is an "asshole" for letting the dog destroy the child's toys is subjective. It touches on themes of personal responsibility, empathy, and neighborly cooperation.

Damjan