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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours barking dog

56 replies

ILoveAndrew · 11/06/2022 19:58

Next door neighbours have a Chihuahua. It barks every time it's out in the garden and sometimes this can go on for a good 15/20 minutes without the owners stopping it. It has always been like this for the past year I have lived here, but I am seriously fucked off now it's getting warmer and my door is open. The dog also barks regularly indoors even when one of the neighbours are home with it. Even if the door is open for the dog to go back in, it still barks, just staring at the back door.

The dog has a very loud, high pitched bark and it's regularly waking me up too when I sleep through the day because of work.

I have just lost my patience and shouted for them to shut the fucking dog up.

I was working from home on a call the other day actually and had the back door open to enjoy the lovely weather, but the dog started barking and ten minutes later it was still barking. Again, I lost my patience, slammed the back door shut and the neighbours must have told the dog to be quiet as it shut up but why aren't they doing anything? They are decent neighbours apart from this.

Maybe it's just me though? Perhaps dogs bark and as it's not all day then should I be more tolerant?

OP posts:
TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 11/06/2022 20:00

Maybe it’s sick?

Ask them.

Ropesdope · 11/06/2022 20:01

To be honest your reaction is probably not going to help much. Going round to have a word may have had a better result. I have a dog and I get that it would be annoying. My neighbour leaves his out most of day and it whines a lot. It is annoying so I get your point.

theemmadilemma · 11/06/2022 20:03

I think some owners much tune it out, I'd love to know how, it drives me nuts and I'm also straight on mine if they bark.

SirChenjins · 11/06/2022 20:04

Dogs will bark as part of neighbourhood noises, but they would piss me right off - both as a dog owner and a neighbour. Do they not hear it?? I think you need to go round and have a proper word unfortunately - they need to be more considerate and get professional help to deal with the barking.

FlissyPaps · 11/06/2022 20:11

YABU -

Shouting “shut the fucking dog up” is rude and aggressive. As is slamming the door. How old are you 13?

You cannot physically stop a dog from barking - unless you physically hold it’s mouth shut, and that’s abusive.

Jellybean23 · 11/06/2022 20:27

Your local council's Environmental Health Officer can investigate and take action if you can hear the barking indoors with windows and doors shut.

DDivaStar · 11/06/2022 20:35

Shouting, swearing and slamming doors isn't the best way to communicate. Why didn't you mention it to them civilly before. I doubt they'll make much effort if this is how you act.

pilates · 11/06/2022 20:38

You have my sympathies. My old neighbours did nothing when their dog barked her head off and it does get to you in the end. It’s frustrating because you can teach dogs not to do it.

Rickrollme · 11/06/2022 20:39

YANBU to be annoyed at the dog barking but YABU for shouting and swearing. That kind of behavior is not going to get the result you are hoping for. Why would the neighbours make any effort to be considerate of you now? Next time you have a situation like this you would be much better served to speak to them like adults.

Lizzieismagic · 11/06/2022 20:40

Ime shouting Shut That Bloody Ddog Up works wonders...
As does keeping a diary for the Council..

RestingMurderousFace · 11/06/2022 20:43

One of my lot can be a noisy bugger. The minute he starts barking at a bird/fly/blade of grass he’s brought inside. I can’t stand the noise so I certainly wouldn’t inflict it on the neighbours.

BeachTree · 11/06/2022 20:54

I have the same issue with my neighbour. Who has a small yappy terrier, that barks for hours on end when it's left alone ( in a flat). No idea where it finds the energy. I've spoken to the owners multiple times and nothing changes. It barks at everyone and everything. The minute it's let out the front door its barking aggressively at anyone unfortunate enough to be walking past and the owners do absolutely nothing.
Try calling the RSPCA or the council as someone above suggested perhaps? That might make the crappy owners sit up

Original poster
ILoveAndrew · 21/06/2022 19:56

Well, this is still ongoing.

I haven't been around to ask them to find a solution because they are fully aware the dog is barking and they're not shutting it up now so I don't think it'll make much difference. Instead, I am keeping a noise diary downloaded off the councils website and will send it after a month or so.

Tonight, I was wound up so much by it.

I have had a fucker of a day. The bus didn't come this morning to start and it's been such a busy, demanding day. Then, to finish, I was waiting for a bus for two hours home. I got in and decided to treat myself to a nice, cool soak in the bath to soothe the stresses of the day. I am in the bath a few minutes and the neighbours open their back door and little fucker dog starts barking without stopping for ten minutes.

I realised on the bus home tonight that I dread coming home because of the dog barking.

I was sooo fucked off at this point that I shouted that I can't even have a fucking bath in peace. I banged my arm on the wall when I get out of the bath. I don't know if they heard or if they thought that was deliberate. I'm ashamed of my actions now but the fact they're not shutting their fucking dog up is too much.

I had a friend round for lunch in the garden on Sunday and it was blighted by the dog barking again. At one point, the dog was let out, barked like mad to be let in (the door was open but it couldn't see it's human) so after about ten minutes the neighbour came to usher the dog in. The dog then barked immediately when it was in the house and the back door opens again and the dog barked for another 20 minutes. My friend couldn't believe what shitty neighbours I have.

Anyway, I will compile the noise diary and send and try and keep a lid on my boiling emotions.

OP posts:
Original poster
ILoveAndrew · 21/06/2022 19:57

Gosh I swore a lot in my last message and that's not usually like me. Apologies.

OP posts:
StoneofDestiny · 21/06/2022 20:34

Of course your neighbours are being unreasonable! Tell them you are keeping a noise diary and recording the noise - that should rein it in.

How would they feel if you stood outside and shouted non stop for 20 minutes!

They can control the dog by keeping it indoors to inconvenience themselves alone.

SNAFU247 · 21/06/2022 20:40

It's so bloody annoying. I've just had to shut all our windows because it appears every neighbourhood dog is out barking like mad. For ages. Do the owners not realise how much it aggravates and stresses out the neighbours. My eldest has woken up from the noise!

So many threads on here about how it's not reasonable to let kids be loud in the garden etc (mine aren't allowed to screech or shout or they get sent back in!) but when it comes to dogs people seem more forgiving!

pilates · 21/06/2022 21:52

I can’t bear my own dog barking let alone a neighbours.

bloodyunicorns · 21/06/2022 22:29

Go round to them and tell them every single time to shut the dog up. It's up to them to train the dog. You should not have to listen to it.

Cherrysoup · 21/06/2022 22:39

Have you spoken to the neighbours and told them how intolerable you’re finding it? I think I’d mention that you’re logging it, I bet that will get them to try to stop it. If it’s disrupting your work/leisure time, it isn’t fair, although swearing at them and slamming doors just ruins your integrity.

WeLoveYouMissHanigan · 21/06/2022 22:44

It’s not fair to assume that dog owners don’t care. My dog gets hauled straight inside if she starts that nonsense even if it’s midday.

its completely unacceptable and go where will know she is barking.

I am currently sitting here waiting for the 11pm barkathon to start . Go and
talk to them … and as for slamming the door? Sort of thing I would do!

coconuthead · 21/06/2022 22:53

YANBU noisy dogs are truly awful. I feel for you.

Original poster
ILoveAndrew · 28/06/2022 22:56

Thank you for all your kind replies.

This is still ongoing. I'm hoping the diary to the council will work.

It's hard to not get wound up by the noise really. The dog is currently barking in the house at almost 11.00pm, despite the owners being there. I've been woken up twice now as I was drifting off to sleep. I have work tomorrow and I'm going to be rather tired, especially as I'm just getting over a nasty bout of Covid.

What is wrong with these incompetent dog owners?!

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 28/06/2022 22:59

What is wrong with these incompetent dog owners?!

what is wrong with you that you won’t go and just speak to your neighbours??!

Original poster
ILoveAndrew · 28/06/2022 23:02

@ShirleyPhallus They won't care one bit otherwise they would've trained the dog by now.

On the other side of them, there's a couple and their two young kids who are loud (not at unsociable hours). I heard the young woman who lives with her mum ask the woman of the couple next door if the dog barking bothered them and she replied that with all the noise them and the kids cause, the dog barking isn't a problem at all. Just me then!

OP posts:
Confusednewmum1 · 28/06/2022 23:02

It’s a chihuahua not that load - yes high pitched but you wouldn’t here it through walls. It’s not in the middle of the night ect. If your neighbours had kids playing outside they would be 1000x noisier. 15/20 minutes of a chihuahua barking is nothing ……… but an exaggeration!!!!