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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours dog

39 replies

El2El · 07/12/2019 19:46

Posting for traffic, sorry! Lived here for over a year. Neighbours are nice, keep themselves to themselves. They've got a dog who I have never, ever heard bark. Tonight she's been barking/yelping for about an hour. Should I do anything? And what should I do? Not a dog person at all, as in don't know anything about them but I'm worried something is wrong with her.

OP posts:
notsleepingbeauty · 07/12/2019 19:47

Do you know if they're in?

Original poster
El2El · 07/12/2019 19:47

Don't have their phone numbers, won't exchange Christmas cards but we say hi when we pass each other on the street.

And neighbours' - sorry to the pedants!

OP posts:
Original poster
El2El · 07/12/2019 19:48

Not sure and can't see in to their garden although don't think that the dog is there

OP posts:
weeblueberry · 07/12/2019 19:48

It could be that they very rarely leave her alone but have had to leave her for an unexpected period of time this evening?

StrongTea · 07/12/2019 19:49

Knock and ask if things are okay.

John470322 · 07/12/2019 19:50

If it is totally out of character can you go to their door with a Christmas card, ring the bell and give them the card but if anything is wrong call an ambulance.

Original poster
El2El · 07/12/2019 19:51

Not too invasive to knock? I know one of them works from home and they go camping so must take the dog with them so perhaps being left for an emergency is the reason. Also, it's coming from one room in particular so she might be in a crate?

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 07/12/2019 19:51

I'd knock.

Are they rarely out? It might be as said and the dog isn't used to being left.

Ponoka7 · 07/12/2019 19:52

Then it's just because she has been left crated.

There's nothing wrong, she's just voicing her objection.

Original poster
El2El · 07/12/2019 19:53

I'll knock but what do I say if they answer - don't have any Xmas cards in and it would be really wierd if I took one over.

OP posts:
statetrooperstacey · 07/12/2019 19:56

I’d knock , I got home from work the other day and my dog was trapped in the garden because something had fallen in front of the dog flap. He was kicking up a massive fuss. If my neighbour had seen and had climbed over and moved it I would have been grateful. My dog also got a tiny spring caught right through his nostril which trapped his head against the door of the crate. He screamed! basically the dog might be shouting for help so go and knock.

StrongTea · 07/12/2019 19:58

Just say you were worried and wanted to be sure they were ok.

SirVixofVixHall · 07/12/2019 20:00

I would knock, and say what you have said here, emphasising that you aren’t complaining, you just want to make sure all is well as the dog never makes any noise.
Perfectly reasonable, and kind op.

Original poster
El2El · 07/12/2019 20:06

DH mist come down from putting DD to bed and said 'you'll ask of dog is ok, they'll either be out, say yes she's fine or no she's not but we're dealing with it' and then what will you do? Made me think twice about going over as I don't know what I would do next? No way to get into garden or peek in a window.

OP posts:
GoodDogBellaBoo · 07/12/2019 20:10

Please go and check. You’re not complaining, just checking.

Cauliflowerpower · 07/12/2019 20:11

Just knock. If they answer say sorry but you were worried as shes normally so quiet. If no answer.... well I don't know!

peoplepleaser1 · 07/12/2019 20:14

I'm fairly experienced with dogs OP and I'd be worried if this was my dog (barking when usually quiet).

I'd hope that my neighbour would mention if to me out of concern if nothing else.

However, if they are in they will be well aware and dealing with it, (or if they aren't for some reason I guess that you knocking won't make a difference).

Dog may have got trapped, or be unsettled by something- my dog was really freaked out when we put Christmas tree in a bucket in the garden this week.

Or, as others have said the dog may be uncomfortable when left alone and they may rarely leave it for this reason.

Biscusting · 07/12/2019 20:16

Go get it sorted!

Figmentofmyimagination · 07/12/2019 20:16

It’s that time of year when there are lots of Christmas commitments - maybe they’ve popped out together for something important. One of them maybe stays behind normally to keep the dog company, if it has separation anxiety.

christmassymcchristmas · 07/12/2019 20:17

I wouldn't knock, if they're in they're dealing with it, if they're out then what will you do? Break in to check dog isn't trapped, or just knock and alarm it further?

Dodie66 · 07/12/2019 20:17

Or maybe there is something wrong with the neighbour and the dog is barking because of that. I would go and check

WeePinklet · 07/12/2019 20:17

Definitely knock. Just tell them you were worried about them because you never heard the dog. Clarify that you’re not complaining. It’s the right thing to do, not an odd thing to do.

crispysausagerolls · 07/12/2019 20:18

Ffs stop dithering and just go and check! I would check 100% if the dog never barks. Better to check than not and no harm done if all is fine

Luckingfovely · 07/12/2019 20:21

Stop agonising and just go and knock on the door and ask if everything is okay, since you don't normally hear the dog bark. Simple. You're really overthinking it.

If they're there and fine then you're just a nice concerned neighbour.

lowlandLucky · 07/12/2019 20:24

Stop faffing and go and knock on the bloody door, they are your neighbours not aliens and you are over 16