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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to ask a neighbour to stop their cavapoodle dog barking during night?

20 replies

Neighbourpooch · 10/09/2026 07:48

Dear anyone who knows a bit about what is normal in smaller dogs.

We live in a small terraced house where gardens run alongside each other. Our neighbour has a cockapoodle type dog.

It runs into the garden and barks a lot when it is let out- and we can hear this inside the rooms at the back of our house.

This happens every day a few times - which not great but AIBU to think that at night this shouldn’t really be happening? We all get actually woken up maybe once a fortnight by this in the middle of night/ early hours.

Am I being unreasonable to keep raising it with the neighbour - who is nice - as had raised it once, had some improvement for a few months . But is now happening again- 4am :( is it normal?

OP posts:
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Original poster
Neighbourpooch · 15/09/2026 23:55

Thank you very helpful to have the different perspectives

OP posts:
Packofsix · 11/09/2026 10:58

Neighbourpooch · 10/09/2026 07:48

Dear anyone who knows a bit about what is normal in smaller dogs.

We live in a small terraced house where gardens run alongside each other. Our neighbour has a cockapoodle type dog.

It runs into the garden and barks a lot when it is let out- and we can hear this inside the rooms at the back of our house.

This happens every day a few times - which not great but AIBU to think that at night this shouldn’t really be happening? We all get actually woken up maybe once a fortnight by this in the middle of night/ early hours.

Am I being unreasonable to keep raising it with the neighbour - who is nice - as had raised it once, had some improvement for a few months . But is now happening again- 4am :( is it normal?

It is only happening every now and again and it likely because the dog has heard a noise. I personally would NOT piss my neighbours off by raising this. Think how much worse it could be if you had a teenager blaring music out to all hours

Flamingojune · 11/09/2026 08:36

There is no excuse for that type of dog to be outside at that time of night

Lomonald · 11/09/2026 08:29

Oh it is barking outside sorry, definitely say to them.

Lomonald · 11/09/2026 08:27

Neighbourpooch · 10/09/2026 09:34

If anyone with cavapoodle type dogs knows more that’s be helpful as I know thy are trying to train the dog but it chases squirrels foxes etc if it needs to use garden at night. As a dog owner is that expected behaviour ? Should I just be more tolerant? :)

It really isn't up to you to offer tips really, you are obviously entitled to complain to them but dogs might bark if they hear a noise etc they need to keep it away from adjoining walls.

MyDeepAmberDog · 11/09/2026 08:24

I have a doodle puppy and beyond the initial toilet training period (until 3/4 months old) we are not in the garden in the middle of the night!

She gets out around 10pm for final toileting and that's her until we get up around 6:30am.

A healthy dog needing to go out in the middle of the night is not normal. However, regardless of what time it is going out it should not be barking. This is down to poor training on the owner's part.

MotherofPufflings · 11/09/2026 08:17

21ZIGGY · 10/09/2026 21:51

I could theoretically take my dog out on a lead, but that wouldn't stop him barking. Luckily he is usually asleep by 8pm and I walk him around 6am, so he isn't in the garden, then. However, he has on occasion been ill in the middle of the night, and I've had to let him in the garden to do what he needs to do, and occasionally he has barked. Literally nothing I can do about it. Although I do feel bad when it happens. It's not relentless barking, but it's definitely at least one bark

It's not that the lead prevents the barking, it's that you can then bring the dog straight back into the house if they do bark. Rather than leaving them barking or standing at the door shouting at them to come in, which causes even more disturbance to neighbours trying to sleep!

Wolfiefan · 10/09/2026 22:31

Who the hell says YABU? They need to take the dog out on a lead if it barks. It’s not the “breed” that’s the issue. It’s the irresponsible owners.

Bufftailed · 10/09/2026 22:27

Yes. After 10 my dog is on lead in garden to prevent any noise. The dog won’t be silent so limited barks in day neee to be tolerated

MandemChickenShop · 10/09/2026 22:11

dog barks at night once a fortnight, not such a big deal really

21ZIGGY · 10/09/2026 21:51

I could theoretically take my dog out on a lead, but that wouldn't stop him barking. Luckily he is usually asleep by 8pm and I walk him around 6am, so he isn't in the garden, then. However, he has on occasion been ill in the middle of the night, and I've had to let him in the garden to do what he needs to do, and occasionally he has barked. Literally nothing I can do about it. Although I do feel bad when it happens. It's not relentless barking, but it's definitely at least one bark

MotherofPufflings · 10/09/2026 09:39

I've got terriers. Yes, they do want to bark at and chase anything they deem suspicious 😆 As I said, that's why you have to take them out on a lead at night if they go out. Yes, this is a pain as an owner but it's not an excuse to wake your neighbours!

Original poster
Neighbourpooch · 10/09/2026 09:34

If anyone with cavapoodle type dogs knows more that’s be helpful as I know thy are trying to train the dog but it chases squirrels foxes etc if it needs to use garden at night. As a dog owner is that expected behaviour ? Should I just be more tolerant? :)

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 10/09/2026 07:56

I would not appreciate being woken at 4 am by any noise
I would have a chat with the neighbour if you’re on friendly terms

Hoardasurass · 10/09/2026 07:54

Id speak to them 1 more time and if it continues after that contact your local council with a noise complain. You will need to keep a noise diary and dealing with it wont be quick to start with but as soon as they have enough evidence they will act and your neighbour will have to choose between keeping their dog quiet or getting rid of it. Whatever they chose it will mean no more nighttime barking

Kidsandhouse · 10/09/2026 07:53

Id be knocking on their door at 4am telling them to shut it up.

I actually did that once... thankfully they moved soon after (it was ashort term rent otherwise I'd have lost my mind)

Pavementdweller · 10/09/2026 07:53

No it’s not normal to have your sleep disturbed by someone else’s dog! Although there will be plenty of selfish dog owners that will come on this thread and tell you that’s just what dogs do.

Your only choice is to have another word with the neighbour and failing that start keeping a diary of how often it’s occuring and contact the council, but we are woefully behind in this country at dealing with antisocial noise and imposing any real sanctions.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 10/09/2026 07:52

Yanbu. A lot of those types of dig are overbred and often a bit crazy.
Definitely have a word with her again.

MotherofPufflings · 10/09/2026 07:51

It's not normal, it's unacceptable to allow your dog to be barking outside at night. If it needs to go out in the night then she should be taking it outside on a lead so she can bring it straight back in. Have a word and if it doesn't improve then make a noise complaint to the council.

BringBackCatsEyes · 10/09/2026 07:50

Of course it’s not normal to wake your neighbours by allowing your dog to bark in the middle of the night.
Yea, speak to them again.