Neighbours Dogs

[CoraApple]

We get on well enough with our neighbours, not friends but civil. However, over the last few months they have taken to letting their 2 dogs out into the garden at midnight, where they both bark very loudly for 15 mins or so before being allowed back in. My husband wants to ignore it as thinks it’s not worth potentially causing a neighbourly feud over. He figures they clearly know it’s disruptive and obviously don’t care. I want to politely ask them to stop. AIBU?

I agree with your H in that they must know the dogs barking at that time of night must be annoying and either they don't care or are actively enjoying upsetting the neighbours.
Even if you talking to them about this doesn't start a neighbour feud I doubt it will make them change their behaviour.

It must be very annoying though OP and I sympathise.

Could you get a sonic anti bark gadget? Looks like a little remote control. Point it out the window or back door towards the dogs & press the button. It emits a high pitched whine which dogs don't like. Costs start from approx £12 on Amazon/ebay.

Yes, this is exactly his argument. And I do suspect you are both right. So frustrating, I’m hoping when the nicer weather arrives they might start walking them properly again.

I didn’t know about these - thanks for the tip. I’ll look into it.

I'd say, Hi neighbour. do you think it would be possible let your dogs out at 10 rather than midnight just so it doesn't wake us?' Be super polite and hope they're not complete assholes.

You can download a ddog whistle app free. ..

My dog is woofy and I take her out when it’s early or late on a lead as she doesn’t woof then.

I really don’t think they are awful people. I’m surprised they think this behaviour is acceptable, so I was hoping to do exactly what you’ve suggested in faith that they somehow haven’t realised how incredibly loud they are?!

Take this as a thank you from your appreciative neighbours 🤣

When mine start to bark, they are straight in.

Possibly clutching at straws, but are the neighbours hard of hearing? My FIL wears hearing aids when out and about, but at home- takes them out. Could it be that they don't realise how loud/barky their dogs are at night? Or 1 neighbour is in bed and unaware their partner is letting the dogs out that late and letting them bark? Do they bark in the daytime also? I too would bring it up nicely. If it then continues, then you know they are just CF's.

Most councils have a policy on noise pollution from barking dogs. Midnight is outside the times for building work noise so likely the same for animal noise. Check your council website. One thing to bare in mind is that you still need to live next to them and certain disputes need to be disclosed when you sell.

I'd start a noise dairy in case you do go to the council. Date, start-finish time, type of noise etc. Record/video it on a phone. I installed a Db reading thing on my phone when we had a compressor thing going day and night next door. Ideally, if you can get neighbours at the back and other side of their property on board to also submit a complaint, it all helps.

I realise the above sounds like I'm some sort of noise freak, but its experience from about 20yrs of various properties and issues here and there- not an everyday issue.

We've two dogs, one is incredibly yappy, she barks at her own reflection. When I let her out at night , if she starts barking, I quickly become an olympic sprinter to get her in again. We have a neighbours with babies like ourselves and elderly people and just people who want to actually sleep so I'd never leave her at it. They def know what they are doing but have probably just given up.

I'd see no harm asking, id have no issue if someone said it to me. I dont know anything about the dog barking remote. I hope it doesn't hurt the dog. But as I said I dont know anything about them.