Dog barking vs. newborn baby

[Bartimaeus]

This is a genuine AIBU - I don't know if I am! And it's not meant as a dog-bashing thread just in case...

DS is 7.5 weeks old. A fairly calm baby, who almost never cries at night (he sleeps next to me so I wake with his first groan of hunger - DH never hears him in the night and he sleeps right next to me!) and has had a few crying fits but fortunately for my sanity, not too many. I suppose I'm hoping he's not bothering the neighbours too much (we live in flats) - we haven't had any complaints anyway.

Our upstairs neighbour has recently acquired a dog. Already several other neighbours are complaining cos the dog leaves a lot of hair on the staircase carpet (no lift) and the cleaner is very put out, especially as upstairs neighbour was challenged on the mess and didn't apologise.

So, my problem is that the dog barks (as they do) and it often wakes me when I nap (very very irritating - you know how hard it is to get a nap with a newborn around!). Fortunately DS doesn't wake up. Until now I've not felt I've got a foot to stand on by complaining because DS makes more noise than the dog. However, today the dog has been whining and howling non stop for 3 hours .

AIBU to want to complain to the neighbour? She's renting the flat so I could always complain to her landlord but that feels very confrontational. I've only ever complained once about the noise from her flat - DS was 7 days old and she was blasting out her music which woke both of us up. She was very apologetic because she didn't realise anyone was in the building during the day and didn't know we had a baby.

I suppose I'm hesitant because DS does cry so can probably be heard at some point (although he almost never cries after 10pm) and also, how can you stop a dog from barking/howling?

Is the dog whining/howling when she goes out and leaves it? Sounds like separation anxiety to me. If it is, then it might improve as the dog gets used to being left - though really she should be building up the time gradually and not just leaving the poor thing for hours at a time in that state.

I would say something to her, especially if it's when she's out, because she might not realise dog is making so much noise. If she doesn't respond well, or it doesn't improve, you could talk to the landlord.

A noisy dog is a noise nuisance, the baby isnt. Call environmental health and tell them its disturbing your life. They should talk to your neighbour, even if they dont do anything they will have a record so that if its still going on in a year they can act.

I should say also that i DO like dogs but having lived with paper thin walls next to a howling dog for several years - I know how bad it is when you cant sleep.

I have a dog who only barks in the house when dh is away and someone comes to the door. He barks once and that's it.

I also have a baby who cries a lot (he has very bad reflux).

The neighbours have all mentioned from time to time about the barking (in passing, not complaining as it's possibly three or four barks a week).

They have all denied knowledge of any baby crying at all. I don't believe them - I think they're trying to be nice in saying that he doesn't disturb them, that they understand that I'm doing my best.

But the point remains - a dog making noise is comment worthy. A baby is not.

Speak to her nicely and point out that the dog is distressed when she's not there. If it fails to improve, speak to the landlord. Or the RSPCA. It's not fair to continually leave a dog in distress.

Are dogs allowed in your block?
I would complain to the landlord, what if it is against her tenancy agreement?