‘If they can’t obey the rules they can’t be in the house’: Father bans neighbors' kids from entering his house after they repeatedly allow his dog to escape, neighbor parents get involved

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 17, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

What a glorious Fursday it is, animal fam. We went for a marvelous morning walk with our doggos this morning. We went to the park after, and on our way home, we stopped at their favorite dog store to get some treatos. After we got home, we realized that we forgot to get our mail on the way in. So we opened the door, and bam! One doggo ran out straight between our legs before we could say "tennis ball". Luckily, we were able to get them back inside (we had an excellent trainer who helped us with our recall), but if she hadn't been trained, it could have been a day-long adventure to wrangle them back inside.

Long story short, we sympathize with the dad in the post below. As a fellow father of both hoomans and doggos, the last thing we need is to spend our day trying to get our pup inside after someone carelessly let them escape, like the neighbors' kids, for example. Scroll down to read how he banned them from his house below!

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  • 01

    [Am I wrong] for banning neighbor kids from my house after repeatedly leaving the door open allowing my dog to escape?

    'I'm surprised that after 4 escapes, you still have a dog,
    via Ziga Plahutar

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    My son has friends that come over all the time. I have reminded these kids to make sure they shut the doors so my dog doesn't get out. My dog has gotten out four times now because of these kids leaving
    via Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 03
    the door open and it's always been difficult to get her back in. She's still young and doesn't mind very well (we are working on training but she hasn't done very well with it. She's an active
    via Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 04
    dog and has not done well with recall). Just recently a neighbor's dog went missing because it got scared of fireworks and took off. Unfortunately the dog has not been found 10 days later. Last
    via Specific_Nobody_1187

  • This might be our worst fear as a pet owner. Accidents happen, but you always hope for the best…. but unfortunately, “the best” isn't always the outcome you're going to get. We hope this family finds their pup soon, we know we would want to if we were in their situation.

  • 05
    night the kids came over and my dog got out again and it took awhile to get her back. When we finally got her back the kids were still at my house and I told them they can't come back over. I explained that I have told them
    via Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 06
    multiple times to shut the door when they come in and they continue to not do so and I am not going to lose my dog over it. Maybe I over reacted but I was scared my dog would have the same fate as the neighbor dog.
    via Specific_Nobody_1187
  • 07
    Cheezburger Image 10530153728
    via Africa Images

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    rasalscan 23h ago NTA. Actions have consequences and you shouldn't lose you dog over their inattention.
    via rasalscan
  • 09
    FlirtyHoneybun • 23h ago . Not the a hole at all. Look, I get that kids forget things, but when it comes to pet safety, there's no room for "oops." I've had to have the same conversation with my nephew
    via FlirtyHoneybun
  • 10
    about our front gate. After the third time explaining why it matters, I started making him practice opening and closing it properly. If they can't respect something that basic in your home, they don't deserve the privilege of being there.
    via FlirtyHoneybun

  • Yes, kids will be kids, but at a certain point, there must be consequences for actions. A mistake happens, once or twice, but four times? That's pawsitively becoming a problem. There are plenty of other dog-less houses in the neighborhood where they can play. Or, they can learn to close the door behind them. It's not a huge ask!

  • 11
    Old_Celebration3536 23h ago • NTA. tbh it sounds like you've been more than patient, four times is a pattern, not an accident, your don's safety has to come first, even if that means setting firmer boundaries with the kids
    via Old_Celebration3536
  • 12
    . AcanthocephalaOne... ⚫ 23h ago NTA I'd have done the same thing. They aren't listening, and now you need to act. Honestly, I'm surprised that after 4 escapes, you still have a dog.
    via AcanthocephalaOne285
  • 13
    BeachinLife1 • 23h ago NTA. If they can't do one simple thing (do they not have doors at home?) and shut the door, then they can't come back. It's that simple.
    via BeachinLife1
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10530152448
    via Syda Productions

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    And besides, if either the AC or the heat is on, I'm not cooling/heating the neighborhood!
    via BeachinLife1
  • 16
    Prime_fem⚫ 23h ago You didn't overreact at all. Your dog's safety has to come first, and if the kids can't respect such a simple rule after multiple reminders, then banning them was the right call. Hopefully this teaches them some responsibility too. NTA
    via Prime_fem
  • 17
    • Specific_Design9383 23h ago Protect your dog. No excuse for the kids to not listen or show consideration.
    via Specific_Design9383
  • 18
    Allo... 23h ago Edited 14h ago NTA. But I think you need to have a discussion with their parents about their children's carelessness and inability to follow a very basic direction and explain to them why their children aren't allowed in your home anymore. This is a parenting problem their parents need to address.
    via Allonsydr1
  • 19
    Specific-Morning-985 23h ago NTA. How is this even a debate? Your house, your rules and your dog's well being takes priority over those stupid a kids.
    via Specific-Morning-985
  • 20
    Unfair_Desk_4539 • 23h ago NTA how old are the kids to be dumb enough to leave a door open. Where I live that is asking for mosquitoes to eat you alive
    via Unfair_Desk_4539
  • 21
    SEYMOURASSES66 23h ago . Nope not the a hole. If they can't obey the rules they can't be in the house.
    via SEYMOURASSES66
  • 22
    SubstantialShop1538 17h ago . Who allows their kids to leave a door open at any house??? That's just disrespectful. NTA
    via SubstantialShop1538
  • 23
    ablestrange • 23h ago NTA, the only thing I would do differently is make your child the responsible party. You can't have your friends over if you keep letting the dog out.
    via ablestrange
  • 24
    I-Really-Hate-Fish 15h ago NTA. If they're old enough to visit people's houses, they're old enough to understand how doors work.
    via I-Really-Hate-Fish

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rules dogs neighbors escape kids house dog owners animals Father
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