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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to apologise after DH barked at the neighbour's dog?

345 replies

Greyblankie · 23/04/2026 13:48

Last year the neighbour behind us got a small dog. It yaps.

Anyway DH has been complaining to me about this irritating dog ever since she got it and admittedly it is very annoying but what can you do? It’s during the day and it’s not constant.

He’s been away with work for 3 days and has come back grumpy and tired - last night he went outside to check on his plants and the dog started yapping. DH went absolutely bonkers, started running up and down the fence barking and snarling like a dog until the woman came out and hastily took her dog back inside. Mortified!! I know he was tired but Jesus he was acting like a psychopath

Hes back at work today and she’s sat outside in the sun - do I pop my head over and apologise/explain or leave it and assume we’re no longer on good terms 😬

OP posts:
catipuss · 23/04/2026 14:21

murasaki · 23/04/2026 13:55

I'd leave it, and if she says something then say 'yes, I'm sorry your dog barking made my dog bark', hopefully you'll both laugh it off and she'll keep the noise down.

Yes just too old dogs barking away. Nothing to see here....

queenceleste · 23/04/2026 14:20

Dogs Behaving Very Badly

Dogs need to be trained.

merrymelody · 23/04/2026 14:20

That’s hilarious! I hope you and your neighbour have a sense of humour.

Whettlettuce · 23/04/2026 14:19

Megifer · 23/04/2026 14:15

Op said its not constant.

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It's clearly enough though isn't it. Once a day is more than enough. If her husband has just got back from a work trip I can see how this pushed him over the edge. They shouldn't have to put up with multiple times a day . Constant or not

HappyInTheSea · 23/04/2026 14:19

A thread that really shows what a waste of fucking time MN is.

Original poster
Greyblankie · 23/04/2026 14:18

HappyInTheSea · 23/04/2026 14:07

Oh God, you're right.
Someone/Some AI has seen the video and though I'll drum up some click bait on MN.

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I don’t have TikTok so I’m afraid you’re wrong there! I’d like to see it though if anyone has a link?

OP posts:
Alltheyellowbirds · 23/04/2026 14:17

Ficinothricegreat · 23/04/2026 13:58

I would question the mental wellness of anyone who breaks like this and acts in that way.

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I wouldn’t. A small dog endlessly yapping is one of the most annoying sounds on earth.

7238SM · 23/04/2026 14:16

admittedly it is very annoying but what can you do?

Most councils have a page on noisy dogs on their website. I'd keep a diary and start logging the nuisance. Even IF you don't submit a complaint at the moment, you will have a record incase things go down hill, or she gets another dog!

I'd speak to her first, but that would drive me nuts. I've been sleep deprived from long haul flights and different time zones. Its sent me absolutely loopy like I was deranged. I'm with team DH also and would NOT apologise at all.

tachetastic · 23/04/2026 14:15

Don't apologise for your DH, but I would find a reason to speak to your neighbour about something or other, simply because the longer you leave it the more awkward it will become.

If she mentions it, I would laugh and tell her that her dog's barking really got to him, but don't apologise for him. Some dog owners become deaf to their own dog's barking and she needs to be made aware it is an issue. If she then says that your DH was crazy/scary/OTT just shrug and repeat that her dog's barking really, really got to him this time.

queenceleste · 23/04/2026 14:15

The neighbour has a dog to serve her needs at the cost of those around her.

Do not apologize; his extreme response reflects how fed up he is. Sometimes it’s this hard to communicate with infantile & entitled dog owners.

My neighbours opposite have a dog this yappy - it’s maddening.

Train your dog and don’t make other people suffer because you have a psychotic “Fur Baby” (kill me now)

Megifer · 23/04/2026 14:15

Whettlettuce · 23/04/2026 14:12

Your husband does not need to apologise. A small dog yapping constantly has been shown to induce mania. Literally drives people insane. I don't blame your husband at all,hopefully the owner will now do something. The owners of small digs seem to be oblivious to the noise and constant nature of it.

There was a thing in the news years ago about a man who killed his neighbours Jack Russell I think it was. The constant yapping and barking drove the man to it. Absolutely no way excuse that kind of behaviour but it goes to show what ut can push people to do

Op said its not constant.

Lifeomars · 23/04/2026 14:13

I had such a glorious mental image of your DH doing this that I laughed out loud

Whettlettuce · 23/04/2026 14:12

Your husband does not need to apologise. A small dog yapping constantly has been shown to induce mania. Literally drives people insane. I don't blame your husband at all,hopefully the owner will now do something. The owners of small digs seem to be oblivious to the noise and constant nature of it.

There was a thing in the news years ago about a man who killed his neighbours Jack Russell I think it was. The constant yapping and barking drove the man to it. Absolutely no way excuse that kind of behaviour but it goes to show what ut can push people to do

Slightyamusedandsilly · 23/04/2026 14:12

It's not often I say this. But I'm siding with your husband.

LittleMissClutter · 23/04/2026 14:12

beefthief · 23/04/2026 14:07

What are your qualifications to give this assessment?

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No-one needs a qualification to question anything.

That's not how life works, is it?

OP, how is his mental health?

You've nothing to apologise for btw.

elizabethdraper · 23/04/2026 14:10

I have done this 😂

Next doors dog barks like a loon everytime someone walks up our drive, I may have imbibed a few alcoholic beverages and barked back

Oleoreoleo · 23/04/2026 14:10

murasaki · 23/04/2026 13:55

I'd leave it, and if she says something then say 'yes, I'm sorry your dog barking made my dog bark', hopefully you'll both laugh it off and she'll keep the noise down.

This is how I’d handle it too. A little bit of light humour to dispel the embarrassment on both sides, and keep relations cordial.

roseymoira · 23/04/2026 14:10

Everyone has a breaking point, I understand why he’s snapped it would be unbearable having to listen to that every day

Megifer · 23/04/2026 14:10

So dog does dog stuff and its not like its a huge anti social issue.

I dont know, Id want to apologise just so the neighbour knows i thought he was a knob also, but id be too embarassed at his really weird behaviour tbh. Worried too though, are you sure he is mentally well?

MissMoneyFairy · 23/04/2026 14:10

HappyInTheSea · 23/04/2026 14:05

Is it normal for grown men to have running, barking tantrums in their back garden?

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When they're tired, overworked, hot, why shouldn't he, if it's worked then good on him.

Ohcrap082024 · 23/04/2026 14:09

HappyInTheSea · 23/04/2026 14:04

OP has said that her neighbour doesn't leave her dog to bark.

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The OP does indeed state that the neighbour takes the dog in. But she also describes the yapping as “not constant but regular”. That’s enough to be a nuisance.

But that doesn’t take away from the fact that the DH is more than capable of apologising for his own behaviour if he sees fit. It’s not the OP’s responsibility.

Edited for typos.

ColossalTit · 23/04/2026 14:09

HappyInTheSea · 23/04/2026 14:07

ColossalTit by name...........

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Woof! 😆

catipuss · 23/04/2026 14:09

HappyInTheSea · 23/04/2026 14:06

Do you let off steam by running up and down barking?

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That's a leading question....

Rewis · 23/04/2026 14:08

I know several people who bark back at yappy dogs to make a point. Running up and down is a bit too much but I'm lazy. I dont see why anyone should apologise. Except maybe the neighbur with the the dog, depending how frequent the barking is.

HoldMyWine · 23/04/2026 14:08

Just leave it hopefully she’s got the message now. I have a dog if she starts barking in the garden I take her in straight away

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