Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

The be angry at neighbour complaint

349 replies

leopardsponge · 03/04/2024 11:00

I have been contacted by the council because one of my neighbours has complained about my dog barking. I don't know which neighbour, but I have a strong feeling who.

My dog goes outside first thing (around 7am) to pee and then is out during the day at various times. The garden backs into a footpath so people do pass and yes he does bark but he's a dog, that's what dogs do.

At least complain to me?

OP posts:
Otherstories2002 · 03/04/2024 15:58

leopardsponge · 03/04/2024 11:06

He barks at everyone who goes past. I don't really know how to stop him as my other dog doesn't do it. Yes he goes out everyday of the week. Why can't they just tell me instead of making it formal? I don't know what else i can do other than telling him to stop it!

This is why they’ve complained. Because you are not doing anything and don’t think there’s anything you can do.

Don’t let him out for starters. I would be going insane if I had to listen to a dog barking from 7am every day.

Otherstories2002 · 03/04/2024 16:00

Smokeysgirl · 03/04/2024 14:33

Dog's bark, cat's poo in people's gardens, babies cry, children scream and shout. There's nothing you can do about it. It's different if you are blasting music out or a dog is stuck outside/inside barking morning, noon and night, that's what the council should get involved with but the other things are just part of everyday life. Some people should just go and live on a desert island.

Well there is - you can complain. And a dog barking all day every day could easily fall into noise issue.

Hankunamatata · 03/04/2024 16:02

I'd complain if u was woken every morning at 7am by dog barking. Frankly I'd be furious if it happened repeatedly each weekend

parmavioletsss · 03/04/2024 16:10

Train your dog then. My neighbours dog is like this and she lets the stupid things out at midnight and wakes my baby up all the time. I’ve put in a complaint too.

Nicetobenice67 · 03/04/2024 16:11

Smokeysgirl · 03/04/2024 14:33

Dog's bark, cat's poo in people's gardens, babies cry, children scream and shout. There's nothing you can do about it. It's different if you are blasting music out or a dog is stuck outside/inside barking morning, noon and night, that's what the council should get involved with but the other things are just part of everyday life. Some people should just go and live on a desert island.

Err yes you can I've done it complained to the council after getting no joy talking to the dead beat dog owner got it sorted so eat your words it's fucking horrible living next door to a yakking dog it's the shitty dog owners fault

Mischance · 03/04/2024 16:16

I do try! I say to him to stop but it does nothing. - it always makes me smile when dog-owners say this, not realising that the poor neighbour will have to put up with both the barking and the owner shouting at the dog to stop - a double whammy!!

EG94 · 03/04/2024 16:16

I’ve got dogs and I’ve had complaints. They complained my dog was barking all day and all night tho which is utter bollocks as I WFH. I got a camera for when I’m out - they sleep, council will send letters just off one complaint. 7am would be considered outside of respectable hours to be making noise.

my two bark yes but I’m very quickly out there with “get in” they annoy me and I love them so god knows how others feel. I nip it in the bud.

perhaps you could leave the quiet one and put a slip lead on the barker take it out to do its business and bring it in when he / she barks? Won’t cost you nothing but time and patience

L0bstersLass · 03/04/2024 16:17

leopardsponge · 03/04/2024 14:11

I do try! I say to him to stop but it does nothing. I let him outside thinking it's the right thing to do because he doesn't want to be indoors. It's hard to be out every single time he is because it's raining and I can't trail the DCs to the garden all day long.

@leopardsponge that's because your dog doesn't understand English.
Either pay for some intensive training, or if you can't afford that, get rid of the dog so that it can be cared for by someone with the time, money and inclination to look after it properly.

Allfur · 03/04/2024 16:18

Your dog does sound annoying but it was your choice, not your neighbours

LinLui · 03/04/2024 16:23

leopardsponge · 03/04/2024 11:00

I have been contacted by the council because one of my neighbours has complained about my dog barking. I don't know which neighbour, but I have a strong feeling who.

My dog goes outside first thing (around 7am) to pee and then is out during the day at various times. The garden backs into a footpath so people do pass and yes he does bark but he's a dog, that's what dogs do.

At least complain to me?

I get up at 6am, when my dog goes out for the first time. He is in and out during the day. In summer he loves nothing better than sitting at the door all day watching the world. My garden backs on to a footpath that is used by people. He doesn't bark.

That is because we indulged in this thing called "training". That's what responsible dog owners do.

Marzipan23 · 03/04/2024 16:24

one of our neighbours has a dog that they leave outside barking and crying and I've reported it. If you aren't willing to put the work into training a dog to not cause a disturbance dont get one.

WhiteTilesWhiteGrout · 03/04/2024 16:25

You should not have a dog. End of. Not wanting to go outside when it rains, or whatever else, is not an excuse to annoy your neighbours. We have multiple dogs and have spent time and money training them. That's what you do as a responsible dog parent.

Summerbay23 · 03/04/2024 16:25

You need to bring your dog inside every single time it barks (and not let it in the garden if it persists). If you are taking it for two decent walks a day (min 45 mins each time - more depending on breed) then it shouldn’t need the garden that much anyway. But if you bring it in every single time it barks it will soon get the gist. This really isn’t fair on your neighbours.

karriecreamer · 03/04/2024 16:29

leopardsponge · 03/04/2024 11:08

Is that not extremely expensive?

So what? You bought a dog and you have to bear the consequences which may include having to pay for professional training.

Same with vet bills, they're extremely expensive too!

Pet owners need to think about these things when they buy pets!

Whatifthehokeycokey · 03/04/2024 16:33

On our council website, it does suggest trying to resolve issues with neighbours informally before making a complaint. So I can see why you're surprised. But I think your reaction is largely defensiveness.

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 03/04/2024 16:34

That would drive me insane also and had a neighbour whose dog barked non-stop yet when I minded her dog for a whole weekend he did not bark once as we gave him lots of attention, played with him and could not understand how the neighbour could just ignore the constant barking. 7am too early and probably waking everyone up and you are probably used to it but it is extremely annoying to listen to non stop.

Nicetobenice67 · 03/04/2024 16:36

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 03/04/2024 16:34

That would drive me insane also and had a neighbour whose dog barked non-stop yet when I minded her dog for a whole weekend he did not bark once as we gave him lots of attention, played with him and could not understand how the neighbour could just ignore the constant barking. 7am too early and probably waking everyone up and you are probably used to it but it is extremely annoying to listen to non stop.

Did you complain to your neighbour ?

Misthios · 03/04/2024 16:36

leopardsponge · 03/04/2024 11:06

He barks at everyone who goes past. I don't really know how to stop him as my other dog doesn't do it. Yes he goes out everyday of the week. Why can't they just tell me instead of making it formal? I don't know what else i can do other than telling him to stop it!

This is why they have gone official with it.

You do not see it as a problem although your animal barks constantly at every person who walks past. You shrug your shoulders and give it "well, what can I do, it's just doing what dogs do, I don't know what to do about it".

Meanwhile the poor neighbours are being driven demented by a a constantly barking dog.

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 03/04/2024 16:38

To Nicetobenice. yes I talked to her lots but she was having a hard time and think it all just went over her head. But as I said her dog as good as gold when with us as we walked him, played with him and gave lots of attention. Have moved since.

Gingerbee · 03/04/2024 16:41

Why don't you just take it for a walk at 7am?

Grammarnut · 03/04/2024 16:42

There are anti-bark collars available. Why is your dog in the garden so much all day? My family dogs are not allowed to disturb the neighbours (nor are the children). You do need to train your dog and perhaps be with him when he is outside.

AGodawfulsmallaffair · 03/04/2024 16:42

leopardsponge · 03/04/2024 11:08

Is that not extremely expensive?

No-one who your dog is driving up the bloody wall will give a fuck how much it costs you to stop it. If you can afford two dogs you should be able to afford to look after them properly.

dontcrowdthemushrooms · 03/04/2024 16:43

I love dogs and have one myself, but I absolutely HATE barking dogs. I live near an obsessive barker and it makes my life miserable and is making me really stressed as I have to be outside near/with the dog while it barks for extended periods. I am planning to move, and it’s a significant factor.
YABtotallyU here - train your bloody dog.

CandleRigg89 · 03/04/2024 16:44

Get up, take him out for a walk at 7am, then let him into the garden later when he’s not waking everyone up.

Malo05 · 03/04/2024 16:51

Christ when I complained about my ex neighbours dog constantly barking I was told by the council "dogs bark!"