to tell my neighbours that their dog cries the whole time it's home alone?

[PleaseJustShootMeNow]

I really, really don't want to fall out with my neighbours. I don't know them well other than to say hello to so I don't know how they'll react. Whenever they leave their dog home alone it cries and cries the whole time they're gone. They're far enough away from me that it doesn't bother me from a noise perspective. I just feel sad that the dog is so sad. I feel like I have to say something because otherwise how will they know he's so distressed and if it were my dog I'd want to know but at the same time I'm scared that it'll be taken the wrong way and they'll think I'm complaining. I find it very difficult to express myself properly when talking to people I don't really know because of my AS.

WIBU to say something to them?

Yes, do tell them as how would they know otherwise. We used to have a dog which went everywhere with my partner. On the rare occasions that we had to leave him he howled. We had no idea, until a neighbour told us.

Do tell them. They probably don't know

I would want to know. My dog has never succeed from separation anxiety but I am thinking of asking my neighbours if she barks at all. I would really want them to tell me. Even if it wasn't irritating them.

suffered not succeed!

I think what you've said in your post about it not being a complaint but out of concern would help.

Yes do tell them, but explain that you aren't bothered by the noise, but thought they would want to know so they can try to do something to make the dog a bit happier being left. If they are reasonable people they will appreciate you telling them.

Definitely tell them.

If you're anxious about telling them, or about how to tell them, perhaps consider writing a letter, or at least writing it all down before going to see them - that way you'll be able to phrase it the way you want to say it, rather than doing what I would do which would be to get tongue-tied and flustered when face-to-face.

Why do people get dogs only to leave them alone all day and cause them this sort of distress.

Yes I'd tell them, I'd probably buy the poor thing a kong and some treats to fill it with to help keep him entertained during the day

my neighbours dogs are the same , left alone 12 hours all night , told her they bark constantly for about 3 hours at a time when they hear a noise ,she said what can i do , so suggested leaving a light on and some music or tv on low , but no she didnt do that still leaves them in the dark , not sure what to do next so am really posting to see other peoples suggestions .

I would want to know. Our dog used to whine all day when we left him and I didn't know until a neighbour told me. I was really grateful they said something so I could work on making him happier.

Er, the OP didn't say it was left alone "all" day. Virtually all dogs are left at home at some point, and most dogs can and should be trained to deal with this.

Definitely tell them - they need to know.

Thanks for the replies. I'll muster some courage and have a word with them. The dog isn't left all day. The lady next door usually works from home. She was gone for about 2 hours and this is the first time I've heard him this week.