Neighbours dog

[OliveLion]

Our neighbours dog barks when it is alone in the garden for the duration it’s in the garden. In the winter this is 4 times a day - in the summer it is more. The barking can be heard in every room in our house with the windows closed over the TV, music. We also have a small baby. We asked our neighbours (nicely we hoped) to bring him in when he barked - they said no. We put our house up for sale (this was a move we were going to do in two years but just bought forward as the noise is a hassle). This has caused a WAR. They are ‘offended’. We want to stay in same area so would like to make peace - but am I right in thinking this is nuts? My wife thinks it’s just because they are embarrassed (think very middle class couple) AIBU?

How long a period at a time does it bark for? Mine sometimes have a bark when they're in the garden, but only for 30 seconds or they get brought in. However - I'm afraid dogs do bark. If it's for long sustained periods of time, that's different, but how long are you talking?

Do they think your only moving house to get away from their dog?

I don't really understand their thinking - if they don't like you, surely they'll be pleased you're moving away? Instead of "offended"?

I'd move away too in your shoes.
What's with these inconsiderate dog owners ?

4 times a day, while irritating, is not excessive. Most of my neighbours have dogs and they’ll all bark occasionally but we always, without exception, call them in and no-one lets them out late at night or early in the morning.

Honestly assuming it's not just a couple of random barks I wouldn't give a rattling damn that they are upset. Prolonged barking is very unfair on both dog and neighbours.

I don’t understand why it’s created a war. Have you told them you are moving because of the barking? So many people have dogs since 2020 I think you could end up likely next to more of the same thing.

Thanks for the replies. It could be for a few minutes 4 or 5 times a day or it could be for an hour - it just doesn’t bother them so they leave him there. That’s why we asked them to bring him in when he started up. We didn’t give them a reason for putting our house up for sale - and certainly didn’t blame them (although clearly we would like somewhere a bit quieter)

I feel for you OP. My next door neighbours dogs bark every time we go outside and even if we go into our kitchen and the window is open as it's near the fence. If we go anywhere near the fence they're snarling and biting the wood. The wife next door tends to try to call them in after a couple of minutes but the husband just lets them get on with it. I'm nervous about complaining as i work with the wife but for a different firm and in a lower position. Shes not particularly nice at work despite me trying to strike up a freindly conversation. We want to sell but concerned we would need to disclose a complaint about the neighbour. Hoping we get buyers with a couple of mouthy alsations to share the love.

But does it really matter whether or not they are offended? You plan to move away. Even if you plan to stay in the same neighbourhood, I'm sure they will get over it eventually.

Comments that say "Dogs will be dogs...and they bark" are just so infuriating. As a dog trainer with much experience with dogs, few dogs bark long term or in an irritating way UNLESS the owner or handler LETS the dog bark! It is just lazy for an owner to let a dog bark more than to warn of an intruder AT NIGHT. A dog that barks is wanting attention from someone - anyone. They do not bark for NO reason.

The only problem with moving is you don't know what you are moving to. Neighbour who plays loud music? Revs cars? Another dog? Two dogs?

There are quite a few barking dogs in my neighbourhood, but they don't bother me as it's not that loud. I always hope people don't think they are my dogs.

Sheri99
My bloody pug seems to!! Barks at a skin cell floating by.

YANBU. No dog should be left to bark for more than a minute or so. It's annoying for everyone around and distressing for the dog. Our dog will bark at dogs walking past the gate or sometimes kids playing out if they get close to the gate. We always call him in, and he's never allowed to bark for more than 20-30 seconds.

I'd ignore your neighbours. It's their problem if they're offended by you putting your house up for sale.

Yeah my dog only barks if he spots something unusual outside or has shut himself in the utility room (again....), dogs shouldn't be allowed to bark constantly and they should bring it inside if it does, it's probably anxious alone outside.

But move whenever you like though nothing to do with your neighbours!

They are offended?? Tough. I have dogs and I do not allow them to bark in the garden. You are the ones who should be offended by their selfishness