Neighbours dogs

[AgathaRaisinsBlueStillettos]

I'm loosing the plot a little with our neighbour in general but mainly his dogs, I'm also heavily pregnant and maybe over reacting so thought I'd best get opinions on what to do- I best make it clear however I don't feel comfortable approaching him.

We live mid terrace and have been here 3.5 years and it's got worse and worse IMO. He's in his 50s, slightly disabled but goes on holidays where he does a lot of walking (is relevant I promise)

Examples:

• every night he collars DH on his way in the house from work, dh can't get away and he just talks and talks and talks. If we are together he doesn't really acknowledge me.

• in the entire time we have lived here he openly admits he has walked his dogs once and we are excessive walking our dog (twice A day)

• he has two small dogs. They bark constantly, I can't open our back door it sets them off, can't open my daughters bedroom window as it sets them off. Can't peg washing out, sets them off. Can't sit in garden sets them off. I can't flush the toilet, run a bath or brush my teeth without setting them off. They bark non stop in the garden and he never comes out for at least an hour - when he finally does he makes a big song and dance about taking them in!

He states our dog causes it, but he doesn't. (most of the time our dog is in the house) sometimes our dogs lays on the patio and they start jumping at the fence if we are in the garden and then our dog barks back. ONLY then does he make a big thing of taking his in. Saying 'oh you must learn to get on etc, and all dogs bark etc' (ours doesn't only when he's had enough.

• I'm a nurse and do nights. He often has hospital appointments and leaves them alone all day. They bark so much I can't sleep.

• in the heat I wouldn't want to sit in our garden anyway because the heat makes the smell of dog poo increase ten fold.

*when we have guests over or I eventually do decide to brave the garden for a BBQ the dogs bark non stop or he makes a big scene about taking them in but often he hangs over the fence the whole time talking to our guests or trying to mainly chat to DH whilst his dogs bark.

I have no idea what to do but as I've just put the kettle on to boil and run the tap they started to bark again and I snapped and shouted 'those fucking dogs' something had to give surely?

Please help!!!

Record the barking and speak to environmental health noise dept and dog warden. Sounds a nightmare. We have similar but a few doors down and it grates on me more and more.

Your husband can’t get away? How ridiculous, he’s a grown man and can walk away at any time!

He can also tell him when he pops up over the fence that he’s interrupting a private party with family/friends.

Regarding the dogs I would tell him that unless he does something about them barking during the day you are going to get environmental health in by way of your making a complaint.

@Soola I probably should have phrased it better I think we're just so worried about causing friction and looking rude as you hear all these horror stories regarding neighbour disputes

Can you increase the height of the fence? Record a diary of the noise for 2 weeks and send to Environmental health.

Sounds like an environmental health noise nuisance thing. From what you've described, YANBU (and I'm a dog owner)

If he isn't clearing up dog shit report to rspca and environmental health. Dogs have a right to be in a shit free zone too!
Keep a diary of noise for 2 weeks. The council will give you a proper form and put the fortnight's details on it. Send recorded delivery.

Seriously you need to get this sorted, new baby will cry and set the dogs off! Speak to your occy health dept and say how much this is impacting on your health and well being, also speak to your doctor, you need as much support as possible. Your dh needs to say goodbye, sorry can't chat am busy when he gets talking, could he speak to him and say that the dogs are causing a lot of upset and could he please take action to stop them barking.

www.gov.uk/report-noise-pollution-to-council

www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/info/432/dog_warden_service/262/complaining_about_barking_dogs

Thank you everyone for making me feel reassured! I've even looked into moving!!!

I am so worried about the new baby and how it will affect us. I would love to be able to sit in the garden next spring and play with DD with baby able to nap out there with us.

DD loves animals but even she is struggling with them, they wake her up in the mornings

You’re worried about neighbour disputes but he’s making a complete nuisance of himself with his behaviour as well as his dogs so you have nothing to lose by bring direct with him.

Your husband is being weak by allowing himself to be badgered in the way home from work. He can put his hand up and say, I’ve just finished work, can’t talk now and walk away.

When he pops over the fence when you have people round your husband needs to tell him that it’s a private affair.

Every time your husband is chummy with him it is enabling the neighbour to take advantage.

Oh yes get a bark stop device - you point it at the dog and it emits a high noise only they can hear

Worth a try it's about £12 on Amazon!

You can get the app on your phone that emits the frequency.

@Soola your right!

That device sounds great! Will it upset our lovely dog though do you think?

I've ordered it, it was either that or a gun tbh!

Good luck!

Your husband can’t get away? How ridiculous, he’s a grown man and can walk away at any time!

Less chat from your husband and more - "Sort your dogs out" kind of talk is needed! Honestly, these men who leave it all up to their womenfolk! What actual use are they??!!!

Well it hasn't worked, and we've just noticed there is now 3 dogs!