Or do my neighbours need to find somewhere for their dog to go whilst they're away?

[Dropitlikeitshot]

My neighbours tend to go away every school holiday, and they always get the same relative to come over and feed their dog.
The relative doesn’t stay for long from what I’ve seen when I’ve been in, and the dog is then locked back in the house.
The poor thing barks all day and night and doesn’t stop, it’s actually driving me a bit crazy, to the point I can hear it when it’s no longer barking.

It’s a small yappy type dog, and we can hear it very clearly even though it’s inside, and we’re at what would be the furthest point from theirs.

Would you bother broaching this with neighbours? (they don’t seem the type to apologise and rectify the issue) Or just try to get over it? I think it’s cruel for the dog to be almost completely be left on its own for a week, (or more) and it should have some sort of boarding situation if it can’t go with them.

DC is woken up a few times a night by the barking and I’m getting sick of it.
As to avoid drip feeding, we’ve not lived here very long as we bought early this year, and other residents are long standing and friendly with them. The NDN are quite a loud, shouty family, and they don’t really care very much for people around them judging on past all night parties.

Sometimes just mentioning the RSPCA might be enough...

Don’t mention the RSPCA to them for gods sake

That is a guaranteed way to sour relations. In the first instance just tell them that the dog is very distressed when they’re away - they may have no idea.

I feel for you. My (rough, shouty, terrifying) NDN used to leave her two dogs in the garden all day, and the little one just yapped and yapped fo hours. I was too scared to say anything. This went on for 2 summers.

A new neighbour moved in nearby, and now the dogs have vanished! I think they must’ve complained. Or shot them?

Next time it happens alert the council dog warden - it's definitely in their remit : www.ndwa.co.uk/dog-wardens/ mentions 'dog noise pollution', ie excessive barking.

Yes report to dog warden. They could talk to them maybe instead of you?

@Soddingname - Hopefully just the former

I didn’t think Dog Wardens were a thing here to be honest, I’ll have a gander and see what’s what. Thanks for that!

I feel like they’ll know it’s me either way, as the others seem not to care. I’m a bit anxious at the backlash.

Because it's neighbourly? Of course the OP might not be able to do this but it's a possible solution if she can.

It's not, though - that dog needs actual company, not just an extra walk!

My neighbour's dog barks non stop when she goes to work, & stops when she hears the car return, She had no idea the barking happened.
I would ask them if they knew their dog barked incessantly (record it from DCs bedroom?) all the time when they are absent, & it is unfortunately waking your child & a thorough pain. Ask if they think they could find another solution..

Unfortunately, the law on the minimum requirement for what dogs need is so low. They basically need attending to once every 24 hours and enough space to stand, it's sad. Our ndn leave their dogs outside all day long even in the pouring rain (like today) they have a basic shelter and are fed so nothing can be done. They are never walked so they bark constantly every time we go outside. But they are kept inside from 11pm to 7am so nothing technically wrong with it. I feel so sorry for them (and also glad that we aren't the house attached as I dread to think how much they must bark when inside!!)

I'd ring the RSPCA.

It's cruel on the dog, but unlikely the RSPCA would be interested sadly. Your best bet is to talk to them directly, expressing concern over the dog's welfare. Maybe suggest a local home boarding option, if you know of one?

Having lost our greatly loved and much pampered hound this week, this is making me sad and angry in equal measures. Poor dog.

Poor thing I would talk to them first they may not realise how distressed it gets

Report immediately to the RSPCA with full details of what you've observed. I think they can get the police on board to gain access to the property if they have concerns.

They're cruel bastards and I'd definitely report them.

Dogs are very social animals, and love company. To leave one alone for all that time is appalling. Me and my neighbours all have dogs and will walk each others dogs, or bring them into our house for a night or even for a few hours a day if anyone has to go away overnight or be out all day.

We've even discussed having "dog doors" in our fences as all 3 dogs get on very well. They'd love being able to socialise with one another whenever they like.

Also, if the dog is well housetrained, it will be very upset at having to "go" in the house. They try and hold on to their urine for hours on end which can cause bladder/kidney problems.

Very cruel. As pps said, dogs are pack animals and can suffer separation anxiety. Our ddog is less happy and settled when DH is at work p/t even though I’m at home all day. We had a NDN who left their dog locked in a bedroom for 8 hours every weekday and did mention to them how distressed the dog was because it was heartbreaking to listen to it barking itself hoarse.

Record the dog barking and definitely speak to the Dog Warden.

Report immediately to the RSPCA with full details of what you've observed. I think they can get the police on board to gain access to the property if they have concerns.

They won’t have concerns, though. The owners being away is temporary and there is someone meeting the dog’s basic needs every day.

Our neighbours dog barks all day every day, they leave it outside while they go to work. We reported to the local council who sent them a letter about it, for a while it got better but has started again now so we are going to report them again. It's really not fair on the dog. DH was chatting with another neighbour yesterday and by chance the subject of the dog barking came up, he told DH they had reported the dog for being left out and barking and that another neighbour had too.

When we made the original report I did worry they would know it was us, while in fact I now know that at least 2 others have complained too.

I’ve just realised the holidays are over and their children are back to school on Monday so it’s probably not enough time to gather ‘evidence’ on the dog being distressed.
I’m kicking myself that I didn’t think of asking this sooner.

Also my first reply was full of wrong words and the spelling was awful, apologies! I was wondering if I should collar the relative looking after the dog, just to ask if they can do more for it?
Again, it’s probably not worth it for one night as I doubt they would.

I agree it’s very sad, and even as someone who isn’t fond of dogs, it makes me upset to hear them bark all day and night. Noise aside, it must be so lonely on its own.
I think it’s asleep now as it’s quiet. It was let into the garden earlier, and left in the rain for a few hours whilst they left and came back, but it doesn’t seem to be there anymore.
I didn’t see the person come back, but saw them leave when I went out to the car.
God, I must sound like a right nosey curtain twitcher!

@flapdoodles - That’s an idea, maybe I’ll talk to the neighbours on our other side about it. They don’t have pets, and have lived here not much longer than us, so may be just as upset. Thanks!

The poor little thing. What they are doing is outright neglect. Please phone the rspca OP