Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To move over a dog?

223 replies

Renovationhell · 20/02/2025 19:35

I literally can’t stand it any more. NDN have a dog with separation anxiety. It howls every second that they leave it. It starts as they drive away and continues till they return. If they go out for tea or whatever I can’t go to bed until they get back, my life is ruled by what time they are in the house.

I live in an old Victorian semi. I love this house and will loose money on it. If I sell tomorrow it’s not finished so I won’t get a good price. I have no money to finish it either so will have to sell as a project. I love the location. But I’m being driven insane and driven from my home by a fucking dog. I’m a dog lover and have dogs myself but this is something else.

Neighbors are sympathetic but can’t do anything to change it. Apparently they have tried many times. They have to leave the house and it does nothing but scream like a posessed wolf until they come back. They know it does it and don’t care.

Soundproofing is too expensive. I have no money and the party wall has 4 shared fireplaces so apparently it will be next to impossible.

So moving is my only option isn’t it? Has anyone else made this decision and regretted it? It’s a young dog so waiting it out isn’t an option I think I’ll have lost my shit by then. 😭

OP posts:
AlertCat · 20/02/2025 20:11

Pigeonqueen · 20/02/2025 19:47

You should tell the neighbours that you will be reporting them to the council for noise disturbance. And do it. They can’t just be “oh well” about it. It’s not fair. If it continues beyond that I would report them for animal cruelty as they’re clearly not meeting the dogs needs.

This

crazyBadger · 20/02/2025 20:11

Record the dog.... Then play it back at full volume when they get home EVERY TIME.

They don't currently do anything as it doesn't affect them -they don't hear the dog, it's not a problem they need to solve .

Cavalierchaos · 20/02/2025 20:12

I would throw my money at sound insulation along the shared wall.

LameBorzoi · 20/02/2025 20:13

crazyBadger · 20/02/2025 20:11

Record the dog.... Then play it back at full volume when they get home EVERY TIME.

They don't currently do anything as it doesn't affect them -they don't hear the dog, it's not a problem they need to solve .

Even better, send them recordings while they are out at dinner.

DonnyBurrito · 20/02/2025 20:14

Noise complaint to the council ASAP. They'll send someone out and then you'll do a noise diary, they'll possibly send you something to record the sound with too. I did this with noisy neighbours, and they sent a letter telling them to STFU or they would fine them.

JustWalkingTheDogs · 20/02/2025 20:14

Log a complaint, you can do it on the website.

Or you could record it and play it back to them, as loud as possible, every time they are home and see how they like it (but I'm petty like that).

Dolambslikemintsauce · 20/02/2025 20:14

Proper channels... Council.. Ask for a diary sheet.. You record so many weeks of noise... I actually know of a couple who rehomed their ddog to avoid court after many complaints... Don't give up.
And especially don't give up your home.

RoastDinnerSmellsNice · 20/02/2025 20:14

OP have you actually tried contacting the RSPCA or the Council, as it sounds like you're just assuming no one can do anything, but there is no way that I would allow myself to be pushed out of my home, by someone else's dogs, that's just ridiculous. Have you recorded the noise over a period of time? If not, then start. Then email the Council and tell them what's going on, and that the ongoing noise is spoiling your enjoyment of your home. If the Council won't do anything, then approach your local MP. If you've never done this before, they are generally far more approachable than you might think, and are usually happy to do what they can to help.

Glitchymn1 · 20/02/2025 20:15

Agree with crazybadger.
They need to train the dog, or take the dog with them. One or the other.

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 20/02/2025 20:16

JemimaFlubberCluck · 20/02/2025 19:41

I would be banging on their door on a daily basis. Being “sympathetic” is not good enough and it’s crap that there’s nothing they can do. They can rehome a clearly miserable dog if they’re not able to give it the home and life it deserves. Report them to environmental health and complain at them every single time it happens. Why should you be forced out of your home because of their choices?

Yeah, this exactly! Who cares if the neighbours are 'sympathetic?' They are doing absolutely fuck-all to stop the yappy little shit, are they? I agree with this post that the dog would probably be happier with another family, maybe a family where people are in the house most of the time ...

I'd been contacting the council, and environmental health, and the RSPCA and whoever I can. I wouldn't give a stuff. THEY don't! You make the neighbours the one to move, not you @Renovationhell

Anyway, if you go and move out of your lovely home and lose thousands of pounds on it, there's no guarantee you aren't going to move next to a bloody annoying howling dog again. Be tough and be hard and be gritty - report it to anybody and everybody to try and get rid of the dog. Hopefully you'll get rid of the neighbours as well.

Good luck!

Dymaxion · 20/02/2025 20:20

Record the dog.... Then play it back at full volume when they get home EVERY TIME.

Bundle everyone into the car and go out, leaving it playing on loop for several hours. They have no inclination to do anything about it because it doesn't effect them at all, they are not there when it is making the noise, make them realise how bad it actually is !

mistlethrush · 20/02/2025 20:20

Our current dog has SA.. he's a rescue. We're going to work on it really hard this summer (summer because it's easier to go out when its not cold and wet) but in the mean time he either comes with us or we get a dog sitter (a teenage daughter of a local dog walker). Our last dog had SA and we sorted that out for her so that, in time, she didn't mind how long she was left and simply went to sleep.

m00rfarm · 20/02/2025 20:20

Every day that it disturbs you, the second they return home, go to the house and tell them it is disturbing you. Don't give them time to even take their coats off. Don't start with "sorry but ....". Go straight in with "the situation with your dog screaming when you are out of the house is not acceptable. What are you going to do about it". If they say there is nothing they can do then you tell them that if nothing is resolved within the next 7 days, you will be taking logs of the dates and length of the noise being made and will report them to the council. You will say that you have told them as a courtesy that is what you are going to be doing as you have no issue with them - but you cannot stand the noise any longer. You maybe tell them that you are seriously considering selling your house at a loss because you cannot take any more. And this is 100% down to their lack of action with the dog problem. Do not use the word sorry in the conversation.

Gizlotsmum · 20/02/2025 20:21

our dog is rubbish at being left. Either one of us stays home or we use doggy day care/kennels if he can’t come with us. We are trying to build up to him being left but it does take time and commitment. Honestly don’t move but do put in a formal compliant, they are obviously not bothered enough to try to do anything about it.

Thatsnotmynameee · 20/02/2025 20:22

Mischance · 20/02/2025 19:45

Environmental Health and RSPCA.
NDNs know the problem and do not care about either you or the dog, so you need to report.

Do you really think the RSPCA are going to be bothered about a barking dog??

Original poster
Renovationhell · 20/02/2025 20:22

I think this is the problem I hate confrontation. It makes me cringe to even think about!

The easier way is to just move, somewhere detached! I’ve seen one within budget but it’s smaller than mine and needs loads of work so I would be starting all over again. But I would never have this issue again would I 😫

I wouldn’t be in negative equity if I sold but I would have just enough to scrape the deposit. I would also loose some of the money I’ve spent on renovations over the past 6 years which is depressing. I’ve still got lots of artex and that type of thing, plus old tired bathrooms which would put a lot of people off and mean I wouldn’t get the best price for it.

OP posts:
CerealPosterHere · 20/02/2025 20:23

Dymaxion · 20/02/2025 20:20

Record the dog.... Then play it back at full volume when they get home EVERY TIME.

Bundle everyone into the car and go out, leaving it playing on loop for several hours. They have no inclination to do anything about it because it doesn't effect them at all, they are not there when it is making the noise, make them realise how bad it actually is !

This. And through the night if you ever go away. And report them to the council.

ultimately if the dog can’t cope with being left alone so much they need to rehome it. It’s not fair on the dog that it’s so distressed.

Chuchoter · 20/02/2025 20:24

The fog can be given valerian which is very calming. Feelwells Goodnight are excellent and inexpensive.

These would be a good start in helping the dog -

amzn.eu/d/9XtoGZJ

Would you suggest them to your neighbour? If they love they would want to help relive its distress.

Original poster
Renovationhell · 20/02/2025 20:24

Dymaxion · 20/02/2025 20:20

Record the dog.... Then play it back at full volume when they get home EVERY TIME.

Bundle everyone into the car and go out, leaving it playing on loop for several hours. They have no inclination to do anything about it because it doesn't effect them at all, they are not there when it is making the noise, make them realise how bad it actually is !

See I’m so stressed about my own dogs barking incase it disturbs them! I don’t want to give them any opportunity to say well yours bark type thing?

Mine woof when the postman comes but no more than that. I have ring cameras so have evidence of how much mine bark.

OP posts:
LameBorzoi · 20/02/2025 20:27

Renovationhell · 20/02/2025 20:22

I think this is the problem I hate confrontation. It makes me cringe to even think about!

The easier way is to just move, somewhere detached! I’ve seen one within budget but it’s smaller than mine and needs loads of work so I would be starting all over again. But I would never have this issue again would I 😫

I wouldn’t be in negative equity if I sold but I would have just enough to scrape the deposit. I would also loose some of the money I’ve spent on renovations over the past 6 years which is depressing. I’ve still got lots of artex and that type of thing, plus old tired bathrooms which would put a lot of people off and mean I wouldn’t get the best price for it.

That's crazy. Loosing tens of thousands of pounds because you don't like confrontation.

And if you moved, you might move into an even worse situation.

Theunamedcat · 20/02/2025 20:27

Yes mine bark yours is fucking deranged

Are they renters? Is this why they moved from there last property?

Deadbeatex · 20/02/2025 20:28

I had a dog that did this and I wasn't aware, my neighbour told me and I rehomed the dog. Before anyone jumps on me for this, it was a rescue dog with several other issues and I was NOT the right owner for this dog.
My point being your neighbours are being seriously unreasonable and you whilst I appreciate you don't like confrontation you need to make them aware just how intrusive this is and how unfair it is on the poor dog! They need to take action to remedy the situation, record the dog or keep a log and show them just how big an issue this is. If they still do nothing then you need to get the RSPCA, council, any other relevant body involved for your sake and the poor dogs.

fc123 · 20/02/2025 20:28

Renovationhell · 20/02/2025 20:22

I think this is the problem I hate confrontation. It makes me cringe to even think about!

The easier way is to just move, somewhere detached! I’ve seen one within budget but it’s smaller than mine and needs loads of work so I would be starting all over again. But I would never have this issue again would I 😫

I wouldn’t be in negative equity if I sold but I would have just enough to scrape the deposit. I would also loose some of the money I’ve spent on renovations over the past 6 years which is depressing. I’ve still got lots of artex and that type of thing, plus old tired bathrooms which would put a lot of people off and mean I wouldn’t get the best price for it.

Just contact 3 local estate agents and get a realistic sale price.
Then look around for a detached in budget (yes, I know SDLT is a debt off the budget) and then make a choice.
Irritating noise (or other things ) is a living torture.
Don't report anything to anyone. Just move

LameBorzoi · 20/02/2025 20:29

Renovationhell · 20/02/2025 20:24

See I’m so stressed about my own dogs barking incase it disturbs them! I don’t want to give them any opportunity to say well yours bark type thing?

Mine woof when the postman comes but no more than that. I have ring cameras so have evidence of how much mine bark.

Show quote history

A dog barking occasionally at the doorbell is a very different matter. They may say that, yes, but you just need to tell them that that is different to a dog screaming for hours on end.

Original poster
Renovationhell · 20/02/2025 20:29

Theunamedcat · 20/02/2025 20:27

Yes mine bark yours is fucking deranged

Are they renters? Is this why they moved from there last property?

No they have just bought it recently. It’s in a lovely quiet little village, didn’t really imagine any drama would find me here but here I am crying over a bloody dog!

OP posts: