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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU re neighbour dog noise

45 replies

flibbetygibbett · 11/03/2015 16:58

Our neighbours got a new dog a few weeks ago. For the first 2-3 days it cried and whined anytime it was left alone (which is quite a lot as they both work long hours) and we hoped that it was simply adjusting to it's new surroundings and would settle down. The crying did stop but has been replaced by loud barking that occurs on and off throughout the day and can last for up to two hours at a time. The dog seems to be inside the house the vast majority of the time, I have only seen it out in the garden once and it was just for a few minutes. It's quite a large dog (I think it's a Labrador but I'm not 100% sure) and I wonder could it be that it's fed up of being cooped up indoors? I don't know anything about dogs so don't know what's considered reasonable.

I am not particularly bothered by the noise myself and have already gotten used to it. The problem is that we have put our house on the market and prospective buyers have heard the dog barking during viewings and obviously been put off by it. The barking episodes are so frequent that it has been happening at some point during every viewing we've had since the dog arrived. I'm getting really disheartened as we've made a big effort trying to keep the house as presentable as possible (not easy with small DC) but the noise from this dog is out of our control. I also have no idea whether it's normal for dogs to be so noisy or whether it's because it's distressed and don't like to think of it suffering.

WIBU to have a word with the neighbours and see if there is anything they can do about the barking? I genuinely don't know whether this is appropriate or not as I have never had a Dog or lived next door to one before and have no clue whether there's anything you can actually do to stop them barking. I don't want to complain and caused bad feeling between us if there's nothing they can do to change it.

OP posts:
CupidStuntSurvivor · 11/03/2015 17:12

YANBU. Definitely talk to them. The dog is quite clearly bored and bored dogs generally get noisy, destructive or both.

Not very nice for the dog that they've brought him home despite having long working hours. Dogs need company...they're pack animals.

Tiptops · 11/03/2015 17:17

Definitely have a word, they may not even be aware the dog is barking when they're out. How long is the dog left alone? If they work full time and don't have anyone go into the dog all day it's no wonder it is getting bored/ distressed.

specialsubject · 11/03/2015 17:24

this will be a case of 'he never barks' unless you tell them.

grossly unsuitable environment for this kind of dog, or indeed any kind of dog. Long hours and dog ownership do not go together unless they pay someone to go in at least twice a day.

they either give up a job or rehome the animal. It is extremely cruel to continue with this. As well as driving you nuts.

specialsubject · 11/03/2015 17:25

ps I didn't buy several houses for just this reason!

iLoveMushrooms · 11/03/2015 17:42

yeah have a word they beed to be keeping the tv on and leaving toys out labs are such attention seekers too

JoanHicksonMIfive · 11/03/2015 17:46

Good luck having a word. This type of news is not always received well.

Schmoozer · 11/03/2015 18:10

If u don't wish to speak to them directly, inform the local council dog warden.
They will contact them, give advice about what's ok and not ok about dog noise, dogs being left alone etc and follow it up

Schmoozer · 11/03/2015 18:13

I work school hours, and left my dog during those hours, dog warden contacted me about my dog woofing through the day, which prompted me to get a dog walker go in each day, and the problem was sorted.
If I hadn't been responsive to the problem, they could have prosecuted me under environmental noise disturbance
I was happy to respond, I hated the idea that my dog was woofing whilst we were out, distressed and upsetting the neighbours.

Original poster
flibbetygibbett · 11/03/2015 18:14

I thought about contacting the council but they don't have any neighbours on the other side so they would know it was us anyway. We've had to complain to them about noise before as they had taken to starting big DIY jobs when they got in at 9pm and going on til all hours. They were pleasant enough about it and the noise did stop (mostly) but they seemed very surprised that it bothered us, as though it's completely normal to be hammering and drilling at midnight on a weeknight Hmm

OP posts:
SunshineAndShadows · 11/03/2015 18:20

Have a chat with them first. It sounds as if this dog may have separation anxiety (its common in dogs that are rehomed or moved from their original families.) Its not bredom but anxiety at being 'abandoned'.
This advice sheet has excellent info www.apbc.org.uk/system/files/private/advice_sheet_6_home_alone.pdf

You need to tell them otherwise they can't do anything about it

Alisvolatpropiis · 11/03/2015 18:58

I'd talk to them first.

If my neighbours mentioned my dogs barking throughout the day I'd be mortified and would seek to rectify it. As much for the dogs sake as theirs, because whilst a dog might bark on occasion, incessant barking would suggest the dog was unhappy.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 11/03/2015 19:22

Our neighbours have had their dog for a year now, it barks all the time. It must bother them more than it bothers us, and it's driving us slightly crazy. Although it does mean I don't feel so bad about my son's drum kit...

Perhaps if you ask them nicely they'll take it out for a walk at the time you have a viewing?

specialsubject · 11/03/2015 20:03

Mr and Mrs Nice-but-Dim, eh? Not ideal dog owners.

there are indeed dog walking and pet care agencies who could help them out and solve everyone's problems.

fingers crossed.

BeatriceBumble · 11/03/2015 20:14

I would have a word. I was put off buying a house once, as I could hear the neighbours dog barking during the entire length of the viewing.

(I really don't understand why some people buy a dog and then go out all day to work).

pennefab · 11/03/2015 20:52

Definitely speak to neighbours.

We got a puppy a year ago (live in a flat - neighbours above, below & to the sides). I asked our neighbours constantly to let me know if they heard puppy while we were out.

We work, but have flexible hours and have dog walker.

We've learned puppy is quiet while we're out it's when we're home that she's loud - wants constant attention!

tropicalfish · 11/03/2015 21:38

I have the misfortune of living between two dog owning households with a small terrier who barks non stop when it goes outside sounding like a machine gun and another dog that also barks non stop unless the owners are talking to it constantly.
Its the sort of situation you dread if you try and sell your house.
My advice is not to speak to them directly as it will only lead to more argument and go to the dog warden.
Why people think it is acceptable behaviour in a built up area to ruin everyone elses peace and quiet I dont know.

Charlotte3333 · 11/03/2015 22:05

Yep, have a word. It could be that they have no idea if they're out. It could just be they don't realise it's loud enough to bother anyone. Our idiotic spaniel barks at everything; leaves, gusts of wind, trees moving, birds farting a mile away and the only way to combat it is being in the garden with her when she goes out for wees, and having a dog walker go in three times a week when I'm at work. We could leave her, because it's a detached house and the neighbours all work too, but I'd feel a bit guilty knowing she was upset.

hmc · 11/03/2015 22:17

Beatricebumble - I don't understand either. It is positively cruel

Dogsmom · 11/03/2015 22:24

I agree with the others, you need to tell them, we used to have a very quiet, obedient German Shepherd, she was one of those dogs that never put a paw wrong and lived to please me, anyway one day our neighbour posted a note through the door saying she barked while we were out.
I was really surprised and a bit narked that they had chosen to post a letter instead of speaking to me but glad I knew as I didn't want my dog to cause any kind of problems to anyone else.

It turned out she used to sit on the bed looking out of the window and would bark at people walking dogs past, we drew the curtains and problem solved.

Your neighbour is probably thinking the same as I was and imagines her dog is quiet when they're out.

ipadmad · 11/03/2015 22:30

Don't speak to the neighbours about it and certainly don't go to the Council. If you are selling your house, you will be obliged to disclose this if a sale proceeds, whereas your vendor may not have noticed this on a viewing.

specialsubject · 12/03/2015 10:49

Every buyer has noticed, and buyers with brains visit at other times and will spot the endless noise.

basically the house is unsellable unless to someone who doesn't care about noise. I agree that going to the council will record a dispute, so try the reasoned approach first.

other than that, hope for a family to move in who have a child with a drum kit...

popcornpaws · 12/03/2015 11:48

I would have a word, if they are not there during the day they won't realise the extent of the barking.
I've always had labs and i actually see more of the one we have now than my DH, I go to work when he gets home, and this is so our dog isn't alone.
The very thought of a lab alone all day is horrible, they love company and although they like their naps they are definitely people dogs.
If you don't speak to the neighbours you probably won't sell the house anyway!

Saying that my DH spoke to our neighbours about their dog barking constantly two year ago, and they haven't spoken to us since!

ipadmad · 12/03/2015 18:22

Discussions with neighbours should be disclosed to sellers, and discussions could trigger a dispute. Ultimately up to you - just be aware what you could be letting yourself in for.

shockthemonkey · 12/03/2015 18:33

If I were your neighbour I would really want to know that my dog was this stressed. Of course I would never keep a dog in those circs but that's beside the point. I would act quickly for the dog's sake. I hope you find they are sympathetic, if not to you, then at least to the dog!

SunshineAndShadows · 12/03/2015 22:47

You're supposed to mention every chat you've ever had with your neighbours to future buyers? Hmm Surely only if there's a dispute? Which this isn't. It's simply a case of giving neighbours information about their dog's behaviour which it's very likely they aren't aware of

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