About my neighbours' yappy fucking dog

[Moanyoldcow]

For full disclosure, I am NOT a dog person. I don't hate them but I'm not a fan and don't take pleasure in their company but can appreciate cuteness.

Our neighbours appear to have gone away for half term. They have left their two cats and small dog at home - I think the dog is a Jack Russell.

In the early hours of Saturday morning the dog got into the garden and barked and yapped for hours - from about midnight until 3am. It kept us up and is really annoying and I just don't think it's fair but is this normal? Do dogs just bark like that for no reason?

He will be fed and walked every day - they'd never neglect the dog. I just don't understand how it's getting out (cat flap?) and why it barks so much.

Is it lonely? Should I tell them when they get back?

Of course if this goes on all week then I will probably lose my mind and March over when they get back with matchsticks keeping my eyes open.

I'm not even sure what my AIBU is - maybe I'm just ranting/rambling in which case I'm sorry for wasting your time

Catch the person who comes to walk the dog and tell them that the dog spent most of the night in the garden barking with no one there and they need to take it home with them. If they don't I'd call the RSPCA see what they say.

Sneak in and steal it from the garden. . Phone 'the pound' and say you found it on the street. .
Quiet week. .

Surely they haven't left a dog in its own, poor thing? That's so irresponsible!

**on its

Who is watching the dog ? Catch them and tell them it is getting out

That poor dog, it's probably bored out of its mind. Very unresponsible of the owners. I agree with trying to talk to the walker/feeder.

Dogs are not the same as cats. They should not be left home alone with someone visiting to feed and walk a couple of times per day. The dog should either be staying with somebody or in a boarding kennel. Poor thing! I'd call the RSPCA.

The dog is probably bored out of its mind, anxious about being alone or both! I have a terrier and he gets a bit yappy when I go out, but seems to resign himself to his fate within a few minutes and give up LOL!
Leaving a dog alone for days, even if someone is coming in to feed and walk is so cruel poor thing.
I would absolutely try and catch the person who's looking after the dog, I'd also talk to the neighbours when they get back off their holiday.
Yanbu at all, dog barking is beyond irritating- I say this as a dog owner.
Fingers crossed for a quiet night tonight!

You can't leave a dog at home like that ffs! Some people just shouldn't be allowed to keep dogs because they've no idea

It will be one lonely and very bored dog which is why it's barking, so cruel

Jesus - are you saying that your neighbour has left their dog on its own whilst they've gone on holiday? That is insane! I'd report this pronto. It this is really the case then they should NOT be allowed to keep a dog

Sneak in and steal it from the garden. . Phone 'the pound' and say you found it on the street. .
Quiet week. . grin
Ffs hilirious

Op that's horrible! They've gone and left their pets??
What the hell is wrong with people??

Going away and leaving your dog IS neglect though.

A quick visit to walk and feed isn't adequate, they are like toddlers who need constant attention.

we have a neighbour who lets a dog out to bark for 15 to 20 mins almost every night... just when I have got DH to stop snoring enough for me to finally drop off.

Sorry - I'm not playing at being a dimwit - I assumed this was normal as I genuinely don't have any experience with dogs and no one I know has one.

I have no idea how long they've gone away for - they were obviously not there on Friday night and aren't back yet (I was out yesterday overnight and back today). I'm off work this week so I'll keep an eye out for the walker - might leave a note on the door or something.

I know that they are friendly with a neighbour who walks it sometimes so it's possible they are with them during the day but alone at night.

Thanks for all the advice and replies. It's new territory and I don't want to seem unreasonable or intolerant.

If it continues another night I'll definitely call RSPCA for advice. I don't want to ruin an otherwise very good relationship with my neighbours though

Stick a note through the door for the person who is "looking after" the dog (I would hope coming at least twice a day). If it continues, definitely tell the owner on their return. Dogs won't happily bark for three hours non stop. Its painful -the dog is distressed.

It is unacceptable to leave a dog alone for that length of time. They're pack animals and will be distressed if left for extended periods of time. I have 2 for this reason, and the longest they're left is 6 hours, after a good walk and a full tummy and they have toys, chews and each other.
Are you sure they have gone away though? Could there have been an emergency or something? Or is this a regular thing?
Sadly some people think that a jack Russell, being a small dog doesn't need a lot. They couldn't be more wrong. They need lots of stimulation and exercise or destructive behavior happens, and they turn into yappy little buggers too.
Catch the dog walker and find out what's going on.

It's great BBQing weather....

Seriously though, catch the dog walker and ask their advice. Do it every day and make sure it gets back to the owner.

That's the thing Beer - it's really unexpected from them which is why I'm a bit hesitant. Properly lovely neighbours but do have parents in another part of the country so an emergency trip is possible.

It happened once before but the were only gone two nights - definitely not regular occurrence. They didn't mention being away either which I would've expected.

It sounds so stupid but I'm dreading going to bed later - my DS is a shitty sleeper and I'm normally only guaranteed a decent stint between 11pm and 3am.

I'd speak to the neighbour who sometimes walks it and see if they know who is looking after the dog and mention the prolonged barking.

Moany I asked that as I once had to leave my dogs for 2 days/nights after being rushed into hospital myself. DM did provide essential care but they were left for a lot longer than I would have liked and my neighbour collared me about it and said he'd reported me to RSPCA I told him what had happened (wrist band from hospital in evidence along with punctures from cannulas) and then spoke to the RSPCA myself. They still visited but neighbours both sides (including original complainer) said that it was very unusual for them to be left etc and when they spoke to me they accepted that it wasn't something I could have done anything about, and as unfortunate as it was, it was an emergency one off. Complainer neighbour then offered to look after them during the day a week later when I went back for follow up!
My advice is to catch the dog walker and find out what's going on and keep in mind it's unusual so the owners may not have a choice - but if they're away for any length of time I would still report.

Ok - thanks Beer - I'll do that. I don't want to call RSPCA and would rather find a less confrontational solution. I'll park myself in front of the window tomorrow and catch them if the dog kicks off tonight.

I wonder whether there is some emergency if they are typically nice people, that meant they had to go away- perhaps someone was ill in the family or something? They might not presume that this is the best way to look after the dog. I wouldn't want to defend the neighbours but you don't know the whole context. I hope the dog gets better care very soon.

Cross-posted with Beerwench's post.

JustMadePerfect what a fucking idiotic thing to say. You do know that in many pounds, a stray would be put down within a few days? If the was supposed to denote that you were joking, you might want to try writing something actually humorous?

tatter glad i wasn't the only one not amused by that