People can be very understanding in situations like this, and it is crucial to exercise patience too, as they have commitments that may stop them from taking action immediately.
The problem isn't your neighbors, their fence, or their fluffy dogs. The problem is you and your belief that your darling, rambunctious 5-year-old has the right to run into other people's yards, play or tease their animals, and draw on their property.
You can try to protect your apartment by adding weatherstripping to your door and using an under-door draft stopper... Just make sure your approach is friendly, while letting them know that their weed smoke is invading your apartment.