To think I have no choice but to report the neighbours?

[Carlie97]

They have three dogs, one of which barks throughout the day without a break of more than half an hour. It's especially barky in the morning, but can go on anything to 11pm at night. Their reaction to it barking is to shout at it to shut up or to ignore it, both of which prolong the barking.

I've been off for a week and the barking is really getting to me. I have pets of my own and realised that the barking must get to them too. I do work from home sometimes too and the barking interrupts my working day, including meetings etc.

The neighbours are aware of how the barking affects me but still haven't taken effective measures to stop it. I must admit to have shouted through the walls a few times in sheer frustration. It feels like I live with them most of the time because when the dogs not barking, they argue and shout at each other. This is usually evening around 11pm or later. I'm certain that they can make the dog be quiet because when I've shouted previously (not something I am proud of but I was in an important work meeting and trying to present) I've not heard another peep all day.

I spoke to the council recently and they said I may have a case. The next steps would be for the council to send a letter to the neighbours and then if the noise continued, to install noise recording equipment. In the interests of good neighbour relations, I don't want to go to the council, but feel I have no choice.

I'm off at the moment on annual leave and cannot enjoy my break. I had grand plans to go out and do things but I've felt quite depressed and I think the noise is the reason why.

You’ve made them aware, they’ve done nothing. You don’t have to live like this. Also happy dogs don’t bark continuously for 12 hours, it isn’t fair on the either. They sound under stimulated or highly stressed.

Yes I think you have to. But sadly if they don’t want to care for their pets they won’t. So will likely not end well.

No, you shouldn't have to live like this. Does your local council have a dog warden? ( Or is that who you've reported it to). In my village we have a dog warden who would have a word with them.

Sympathies - I'm not surprised it's getting you down. Doubtless, as you say, it's getting to them too. Poor dog - it's needs aren't being met.

Report them.

That said i cant see why you would cancel your grand plans of going out and doing stuff... just to sit at home and listen to the thing that is annoying you. Go out and enjoy yourself.

I'm constantly amazed and somewhat saddened at the number of folk who have pets (dogs) and don't care about them or their neighbours who are affected by constant barking.

I would try one more time to get them to do something about the dogs. Then I'd take further steps, or move. Moving is not an option for most people though, and who knows who you'll end up beside at the next house anyway.

Can someone explain how the owners do not hear the dogs, or are they just immune to the sounds over time?

I live in rented accommodation and have worked really hard to get my house nice so I don't want to move. I also dont want the landlords to think I'm an issue by having an issue with the barking as the landlords are lovely and I'm in a great position to be able to rent somewhere so nice (if the neighbours weren't absolute cocks). I'm so worn down by it.

Another thing is I can see the neighbours have regular visitors (adult children I presume) and I don't want any repercussions or this aggravation getting back to my landlords as I want to stay for as long as possible, minus the barking.

Today I have a stuffy chest and throat and thought of sleeping it off this morning but there was no chance. The dog barked each time I settled down and startled me.

These are the times the dog has barked today. Is it excessive?

10.05am
10.13am
10.28am
10.35am
10.37am
11.01am
11.03am
11.07am

Both neighbours are quite frail so wouldn't likely manage to take the dogs out for a walk and I've never seen them take the dogs for a walk. Two dogs are quite elderly but the one who barks looks youngish so must really miss out on going out for exercise and maybe that's why the dog lets off by barking so much.

That sounds horrendous. The U.K. needs a better system for dealing with noise complaints and taking enforcement action. My neighbour’s dog is not too bad, in that it is quiet during the day, but it often barks late at night and in the morning - it upsets me that my neighbour does not seem concerned how that is impacting me and other neighbours.

Some people have no respect for others peace and quiet. My neighbours are also inconsiderate, although they have improoved. You shouldn't and cant continue living like that. I would record the noise and contact the council.

Why do two frail older people own three dogs?? Do people understand that owning dogs is optional? Why would you have a pet who needs walking when you can't take it out a walk?

Report them if you want 🤷‍♀️

But if you do report them you can’t stop them telling your landlord or others that you have reported them, and you can’t force their kids to be civil to you if you do.

Personally I’d be pissed if I were your landlord, as if you open up a complaint it might become classed as a dispute against the property and affect the longterm desirability of the property. I’d see this a damaging.

But yes, you’re well within your rights to report them, you just can expect then cordial relations with everyone going forwards.

My landlord might be pissed off but does that mean I should not report it and continue to have to live with this day in, day out?

They might have got the dogs when they were younger and more able.

I also wonder if the noise has gone on so long and there's never been training so I don't think they'd know where to start. The dog has now barked fourteen times this morning so far.

Sadly, reporting them will just turn it nasty, it won’t change anything. The council might agree with you now, but when it comes to it, they’ll be unable to do very much about it. (Speaking from year six of barking, and after noise recording equipment installation.)

No, I’ve said twice on most post to report it.

But just be aware that by reporting it there may be consequences, and you can’t get away from that.

A neighbour of mine reported another neighbours dog, relationships then turned very frosty. The neighbour was most upset about that- but it was inevitable. It will change the dynamic with your neighbour, and it may change the relationship with your landlord. You should just think these things through and decide if it’s a risk your willing to take.

This! My neighbour works away, sometimes for days, leaving the dog alone - and has never walked the dog. Ever.

If I report it I don't think they'll even know how to deal with the barking or training a dog to stop. Maybe the dog is so old that it can't be trained at this stage.

I've added to the log. Theres barely five minutes going by before it starts up again. In the week it's crazy. The dog sits in the window and barks at the postman, decorators, people going to work, schoolkids, neighbours coming home from work. It's endless.

Personally I’d be pissed if I were your landlord, as if you open up a complaint it might become classed as a dispute against the property and affect the longterm desirability of the property. I’d see this a damaging.

Yes, much better her mental health suffers so as not to harm the value of her landlord’s property.

Your comments also imply she’s ‘asking for it’ if her neighbours retaliate because she very reasonably goes to the council because of their own shitty behaviour.

Relations aren’t cordial precisely because these neighbours are selfish and irresponsible. The situation is not of op’s making.

10.05am - 10.07am
10.13am
10.28am - 10.34am
10.35am - 10.36am
10.37am - 10.39am
11.01am
11.03am
11.07am
11.21am
11.24am - 11.25am
11.27am
11.32am
11.34am

Anti bark collars are a thing. They aren't electric They either vibrate or give a puff of citronella. I wouldn't like to use one but if my dog was upsetting my neighbour I would.

Yes as you have let them know and spoken to them. Given them an opportunity to do something about it.

Report it.

If you're worried about your landlord can you speak to them first? Excessive dog barking is a nuisance and should be treated as such. No you absolutely do not have to live with it.

I really feel for you. I had a similar log last summer. It's unbearable.