AIBU?
Neighbour's dogs
crappyday2018 · 10/11/2019 20:57
So I moved into my new house on Friday. Its been a struggle to buy my own place on my own so was very excited and happy.
Friday night, I heard dogs next door barking constantly for about an hour, then it all stopped and was quiet. It seemed they were barking because owner was out.
Saturday night, the dogs barked non-stop for over 4 hours while neighbours were obviously on a night out. They didn't stop until about 1130pm.
The same neighbours had put a lovely card through the door welcoming us. So, I knocked earlier to introduce myself and say thank you for the card (to suss them out). I met the dogs and the woman made a point of saying "oh they only bark when someone knocks"....
Anyway, now tonight they have been barking for the last 2 hours solid as she has obviously gone out and left them AGAIN.
So, I know I need to say something but do I do it now? Or should I hang fire a few days? My son won't be able to sleep tonight if this continues much longer.
I don't want to get off on the wrong foot and they may wonder why I didn't mention it earlier but I actually hoped last night was maybe a rare night out.
My son is about to go to bed and has school. Should I put a note through the door now and just say something like "Sorry to leave a note but I knocked and you were out. I'm afraid your dogs have been barking for over 2 hours and my oldest can't get to sleep so I came to check everything was ok. They did bark rather a lot last night too so I wonder if they get upset when they are left".
Or should I just knock tomorrow when they are in?
I hate that I have to say something when I've just moved in and she has lived there for 30 years.
TheoriginalLEM · 10/11/2019 21:03
Tell them! My neighbour put a note through the door as our dog was doing hisnut when we left him. We didn't know As We wasn't in! We were shutting him in the living room and kitchen to prevent him going upstairs - leaving the door open stopped the howling as once he realised we weren't actually home he settled down. I asked our neighbours to let us know if it continued and thankfully it didn't.
newnameeeforthis · 10/11/2019 21:14
I'd definitely want to know hopefully they can sort out what is causing it! We can't leave our dog when it's dark at the moment as the fireworks have been relentless for the last 3 weeks, we've done everything we can to try and calm him but it's been a nightmare.
Mumtotwo82 · 10/11/2019 21:18
I would tell them. I had neighbours who left their dog all day and it barked, I work from home and speak to students online so it was off putting. I mentioned to my neighbours in a polite way (as I work from home) and they were fine about me saying they just obviously didn't know. They did try to stop it by getting a dog walker in and some other things. I'm glad I don't have that now it is annoying.
crappyday2018 · 10/11/2019 21:21
I wrote a note but think you are right, I should probably do it face-to-face. I was just worried I wouldn't catch them in before tomorrow night and then it all starts again. Not sure I can take another night of this. Its been going on since 7pm now.
crappyday2018 · 10/11/2019 21:32
So I put a note through that said "Hi J&J, I popped round as your dogs have been upset for a couple of hours so wanted to check everything was ok. Looks like they may just get upset when you're out. Give me a knock tomorrow if you get the chance or I'll try you again when I'm home from work. You're probably oblivious. My son can't get to sleep 
. Hopefully speak tomorrow, C x"
Does that sound ok?
pinkstripeycat · 10/11/2019 21:34
My old neighbour (our DHs worked together) said her dog was a sleepy dog who slept all day - she left him for 17 hours at a time some days due to her long distance job. He wasn’t sleepy at all and barked most of the day. I offered to look after him and found he was usually hungry, thirsty and badly needed the toilet. I used to sit round their house all evening watching tv so the dog wasn’t alone and fed and walked him twice a day. One day he sat close to me on the sofa and put his face close to mine and snarled (big breed of dog) I left the house and never looked after him again. Felt so guilty
CrackersDontMatter · 11/11/2019 01:24
What you said about their being a recent addition might be something. I had two dogs, one was a rescue and quite wary of noises outside and he would set the younger one off every time he heard anything and then the younger one barking would make him bark more himself. Nothing I tried worked to stop it but since our older dog died earlier this year, the younger one rarely barks at all. Not a flinch during the fireworks, rarely even if someone comes to the door. It's weird but they obviously had a certain dynamic and now our older dog is gone, so is that behaviour pattern.
Perhaps as you say the new dog has changed things and there hasn't been anyone to hear it so your are unaware?
Wingedharpy · 11/11/2019 02:06
@crappyday2018 Just to pick up on your point that you can't believe that neighbours don't hear the dogs from outside on their return, they probably do but think the dogs are excited because they've come home.
They are most likely to be oblivious to the fact that it's actually been like that for hours.
The card from them welcoming you to your new home would make me feel that they are essentially decent folk who want peace and harmony with their neighbours just as much as you do.
They will probably be mortified.
Good luck. You are totally doing the right thing.
LadyGuffers · 11/11/2019 03:00
I expect the dogs shut up when they return. Dogs are pretty good at recognising signs their human is about to get back, such as their specific car sound. They hear this, shut up and the humans get out the car and they are quiet so they assume the dogs have always been quiet.
50% of dogs re upset at being left and 4/5 of their owners are unable to tell for one reason or another.
Telling them is the right thing to do.
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