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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dog howling next door- nobody home

86 replies

AnnaBolina · 28/12/2021 20:53

There's a dog howling next door. We are semi detached. It's been going for hours pretty much nonstop. They don't have a dog but their visiting relations do. They've been out for hours. It's a biggish dog- Hungarian viszla I think. Howls like a bloodhound. It's honestly so loud in the house that my son can't sleep in his bedroom because it shares an adjoining wall with next door and he's frightened by the sound.

Why would you bring a dog to visit and then ditch it in an unfamiliar house for half a day or more to sit on its own? Probably thinks it's been abandoned. But what can I even do about it? No idea where the neighbour is, don't know him well enough to have his number, don't know who even deals with stuff like this, if anyone! I want them to know that dog has been unhappy being abandoned all day and as a result, we have been unhappy all day!

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 28/12/2021 20:55

Shove a dog treat through the letter box?

Do you not have a number for them (I'm assuming not)

AnnaBolina · 28/12/2021 21:00

I've peeped through the window to make sure he's not howling because he's hurt. No, he's pottering about with Christmas vest on and howling. Probably wants it off, poor sod.

No, I don't have the neighbours number or I'd have told him hours ago.

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 28/12/2021 21:23

Aww poor thing did you talk to him see if he calmed a bit

ikeepseeingit · 28/12/2021 21:30

It might be that the dog is normally okay with being left in his own house? Poor thing, probably stressed :( hopefully he will give up and go to sleep soon. Would be worth popping a note through the door or telling them in the morning that the dog was howling for hours.

BashfulClam · 28/12/2021 22:14

Local dog warden. Find them and ask for advice.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 28/12/2021 22:16

@BashfulClam

Local dog warden. Find them and ask for advice.
They don't give a shit if you have a loose dog with no owner let alone a dog in a house, safe and after hours.

Not much you can do op. Just hope they come home soon

SomethingSuss · 28/12/2021 22:23

I just whistled and yelled "That's enough now! Shuddup!" the wall at my neighbours dog. It worked. I think he maybe thought he had caught the attention of a human who hadn't actually left him so he's not really alone.

Maybe you could try that?

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 28/12/2021 22:25

Leave a note on the door so they know he was distressed... Post a carrot through the door to keep him occupied... Not a treat - our dhusky doesn't get hide as likely to swallow whole and cause issues. She does love a huge carrot though!

AnnaBolina · 28/12/2021 22:27

They're still not home. I've whistled, knocked on the wall, tapped on the window to catch his attention- he is just howling and whining and that's it. My dog, who normally doesn't make a sound, is whining and also tried to let out a few sympathy howls. First time I've ever heard her do that! She got a sharp "no!" And she stopped. Dog next door is droning on and on- I'm surprised he has any voice left! I'm so pissed off. None of my children can sleep, it's just relentless awful noise! Who takes their dog to someone else's house and just assumes it's going to be ok with being abandoned for ten hours or more?! He probably needs to be let out!

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 28/12/2021 22:28

I would leave it be. The owners are just visiting, and the dog is probably anxious about being somewhere different and being left.

SpellBounds · 28/12/2021 22:29

You must leave a well worded note!! Taped to their front door. This is not on at all for the poor dog or you.

AnnaBolina · 28/12/2021 22:30

@XenoBitch

I would leave it be. The owners are just visiting, and the dog is probably anxious about being somewhere different and being left.
In the meanwhile, nobody in my house can sleep and have had to listen to loud howling and whining all day and night while the neighbours have gone out for a nice time and given zero thought to the poor creature!
OP posts:
SpellBounds · 28/12/2021 22:32

@XenoBitch

I would leave it be. The owners are just visiting, and the dog is probably anxious about being somewhere different and being left.
And if they're visiting for weeks and leaving the dog at home alone most days this would be OK with you?
SadSplinter · 28/12/2021 22:32

Hopefully they will come home soon.

Fuckitydoodah · 28/12/2021 22:34

Poor dog. Poor you. I'd definitely post a note through the door. They need to know the distress they've caused to both you and the dog. Bloody idiots.

Also, why do people put stupid bloody jumpers etc on dogs? Fair enough if it's outside and is a chihuahua or something, but leaving it on a big dog inside, it's probably boiling and hates having it on.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 28/12/2021 22:34

I'd definitely let them know so they don't go out again tomorrow and leave it. My dog is fine being left, but I'd never leave him somewhere strange

Santahatesbraisedcabbage · 28/12/2021 22:36

Surely any decent owner would want to know if at any time their ddog is in a distressed state? They may think he is fine Home Alone! A note could prevent another episode... If they are visitors and pissed off you won't see them again anyway!!

RandomMess · 28/12/2021 22:37

Not sure you can do anything but I would put a note through the door informing them that the dog has been very distressed and it has been heartbreaking to listen to for over x hours as well as keeping the whole house awake and distressing your own dog.

XenoBitch · 28/12/2021 22:41

And if they're visiting for weeks and leaving the dog at home alone most days this would be OK with you?

They might not be though. If it was going on for weeks, then yes, it is something that needs dealing with. But OP has not indicated that it has gone on for more than one day so far.

XenoBitch · 28/12/2021 22:42

@Fuckitydoodah

Poor dog. Poor you. I'd definitely post a note through the door. They need to know the distress they've caused to both you and the dog. Bloody idiots.

Also, why do people put stupid bloody jumpers etc on dogs? Fair enough if it's outside and is a chihuahua or something, but leaving it on a big dog inside, it's probably boiling and hates having it on.

I have a big dog, and she wears PJs/onesie indoors. She sleeps a ton better wearing them. She is a greyhound, and they are big. They also have very thin coats and very little body fat.
SpellBounds · 28/12/2021 22:42

@XenoBitch

And if they're visiting for weeks and leaving the dog at home alone most days this would be OK with you?

They might not be though. If it was going on for weeks, then yes, it is something that needs dealing with. But OP has not indicated that it has gone on for more than one day so far.

Bizarre.

OP I'd tape a note on as a distressed dog is likely to shred any note you post.

Rewis · 28/12/2021 22:50

This happened to me when I was dog sitting my friends dog. I went to work and apparently he had howeled my work day 8.30-2. Absolutely nothing wrong. She was just offended for being left on her own. I got home and she was just chilling. My neighbours informed me and I was very grateful and was able to organise alternative care for work hours.

Bollocks2Covid · 28/12/2021 22:52

Oh the poor thing! He’s been left on his own in an unfamiliar house.

AnnaBolina · 28/12/2021 23:08

I have popped a note through letting them know that the dog has been very distressed and very noisy for hours. I hope they're home soon 😖

OP posts:
AllThingsServeTheBeam · 28/12/2021 23:23

@AnnaBolina

I have popped a note through letting them know that the dog has been very distressed and very noisy for hours. I hope they're home soon 😖
Still going? Poor dog
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