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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be annoyed at my neighbours dog barking in the garden at 6.15am today?

64 replies

TheLemur · 21/08/2009 10:33

It's the second time it's happened this week, the last time was monday morning when it woke us all up at 3.15am and again at 6.15am

If it was just me and I could go back to sleep I wouldn't mind but the fact that it wakes DS (2) who is then grotty really peeves me (we all usually wake about 8am)

However, I am genuinely very ignorant as to the mechanics of dogs. Maybe it needs to be let out when it needs a wee? It's a Yorkshire terrier (I think) and I really don't mind it barking in the daytime (despite working from home), I just object to feeling like a zombie all day and not being able to concentrate at work due to being so tired

I don't know the neighbour other than a quick smile and hello so I really don't know what to do. I don't want to come across like a selfish arse so maybe I should write a letter (or is that worse!?!) The last thing I want is bad feeling between us but I have been quietly seething about the barking for over 6 months now.

OP posts:

GetOrfMoiLand · 21/08/2009 11:36

CaresMildly - my post crossed with yours, you have clarified your point now. Just to clarify mine - I am on about a dog repeatedly barking, not one who just barks occasionally, of course that is part and parcel of living near others.

CaresMildly · 21/08/2009 11:39

None taken GOML.

OP, I think you do have a right to ask your neighbours if there is something they can do under the circs. I would be mortified if I thought my boy was waking up a baby and would really want to help - I might be a dog lover but also a baby lover (sounds so wrong in both instances but ykwim!).

fufflebum · 21/08/2009 11:55

Perhaps keep a diary of how often it is happening and when before approaching your neighbour. If it becomes a regular problem I would suggest you approach them.

I think YANBU and the council would agree. Check their website to see what their approach is to noise.

A friendly word with your neighrbour if it becomes a frequent problem would be the best approach initially.

I am afraid the fact that it is a dog and dogs bark is not a valid argument in terms of legal rights in these cases.

Good luck.

PuppyMonkey · 21/08/2009 12:01

Hate Yorkshire terriers, snappy little barky feckers..

I would take this as an opportunity to go and introduce yourself and just mention it casually and in a nice way. And if you get beaten up or the situation gets worse, get the council involved.

branflake81 · 21/08/2009 12:02

I don't think 6.15 is that early for a weekday actually. YABU.

Nancy66 · 21/08/2009 12:05

6.15 IS early. if the neighbours have to let it out for a pee then fair enough but they should bring it straight in afterwards. They might be up, but not everyone else is.

GetOrfMoiLand · 21/08/2009 12:08

6.15 is early - I am up and out the door at that time, however I am aware that many people are still in the land of nod, and would hate to wake someone up.

PuppyMonkey · 21/08/2009 12:11

I have checked with independent sources and I can confirm that 6.15am is indeed officially "early."

Boobz · 21/08/2009 12:15

I don't know why people post about dogs on AIBU - it always polarises people. Dog owners will tell you that you're being unreasonable and non-dog owners will tell you you're not.

I have a loopy Weimaraner who, on occasion, chases the odd fox in the garden when being let out for a wee first thing in the morning. Guess which camp I'm in?

CaresMildly · 21/08/2009 12:23

Boobz - mine is a loopy Weim also. He is definitely a woofer rather than a yapper (not sure that's much comfort to the neighbours but hey-ho!).

Danceaway · 21/08/2009 12:24

Yes but that's on occasion Boobz. And some dogs have more irritating barks than others, a weimaraner is deep and friendly sounding (not to the fox obviously) not yappy and shrill.

No-one minds the odd woof, but a regular peal of barks at 6.15 (or earlier) is not reasonable - if it's been most days for 6 mo's the OP should say something nicely, and involve the council if necessary. I bet there are other people disturbed by it too.

Where has thelemur gone btw?

Rubyrubyrubyrubi · 21/08/2009 12:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Boobz · 21/08/2009 12:37

I tell you, a newborn and a loopy Weim is enough to make ME phone the council and get them both taken away... feel like I haven't slept in years...

Original poster

TheLemur · 21/08/2009 13:03

I am here Dance, just watching with interest (and didn't realise we'd gone onto a 2nd page doh!)

I think nancy has hit it on the head (the nail not the dog!)... it IS early for me and a lot of people so maybe if I ask the neighbour nicely she will bring it straight back in after it's wee. It does yap for a good 10-15 mins at a time which is obviously more than just weeing!

To answer some earlier questions, I am a light sleeper so I know it's definintely not a van or anything and In my pre-child days I would certainly have put earplugs in and not given 2 hoots but I feel that would be a tad irresponsible now. Neighbour has kids too so hopefully she'll be understanding

OP posts:

Rubyrubyrubyrubi · 21/08/2009 13:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

somewhathorrified · 21/08/2009 13:13

I have dog probs too. 5.30 am next doos dogs start whining (stop around 9am) the house at the end of the garden's dogs start barking at about 9.30 pm and go on til about midnight! Every single day....but what can you do, they aren't mistreated, they are just outdoor dogs. Wouldn't want to get them taken away so I just live with it.

NetworkGuy · 21/08/2009 13:42

love it, stonethecrows - so what would you do if there were some stray cats that happen to wail at each other at 2 or 3 in the morning...

They're not the responsibility of any neighbour, and it's surely not that uncommon.

When I lived closer to the town centre (*), I went out in the night when there were foxes having a scream {don't know what it's called - hardly seemed like 'courting a mate' but it was the most unusual sounds they were making, which had me off the PC to investigate).

(*) there's a field behind me now, so get lots of lambs baaaaaa'ing at times, and snorts /belching from the bullocks part of the year.

They're part of life, and you're not going to tell CM to have her elderly dog put down just because of the odd 'woof' in the night, are you (or are you ? FFS, that's far too harsh!)

PS for boobz - while I am a cat lover and have little time for dogs, esp the bigger snarling ones, or all dogs mess, I don't think the odd bark now and then is a problem - it's similar to a noisy moped or the milkman's clapped out diesel van, that he has to 'revv' up to get going again at 03:45 most days... pain in the bum if you happen to be woken...

and think of those working night shifts when the summer comes and there are gardens being cut, trees being lopped and all sorts of noise to wake them up... oh great summer, it is tipping down outside right now!

KERALA1 · 21/08/2009 13:44

at some of the opinions on this thread. How can anyone think it is acceptable for your dog to regularly disturb the neighbours sleep in the middle of the night? Babies do not scream in the garden (one would think!) and everyone accepts that eventually the night waking phase passes. Dogs and babies are not analogous anyway.

OP you should ring the council. I understand they are quite good at dealing with noise issues like this now.

girlsyearapart · 21/08/2009 13:55

My dog barks when someone comes to the door but that's about it and it is annoying enough!
We have a house behind us somewhere that have at least 2 dogs by the sounds of it and they bark all the flipping time which sets off other nearby dogs. Very very annoying and I'm a MAJOR dog person.
Thankfully ours is not a barker really but I don't really know what could be done to stop dogs who do?
We've been trying to get ours to stop going loopy at the door for 8 years now with no luck..
OP perhaps the neighbour could let the dog out the front instead if your dc sleeps at the back? They'll only know if you suggest it.
ps- lucky you with Weims they are beautiful dogs.

vinblanc · 21/08/2009 13:59

How loud can a Yorkshire Terrier be?

Honestly, barking dogs (and other noises, such as car engines) are part and parcel of living in an urban area.

If you want a silent night, you need to live in the middle of your own 5 acres.

violethill · 21/08/2009 14:09

It's not a case of urban or rural really. Whatever area you live in, you have to accept a reasonable degree of noise. In urban areas it may well be sirens, alarms or people coming home from the pub; in rural areas it'll be foxes barking, sheep bleating or owls screeching. Dog barking can occur anywhere - rural or urban.

I suppose the key issue is what constitutes 'reasonable' regarding any noise over which people have control. (Obviously no one has control over wild animal noise!)

TBH, any noise which is prolonged and causing a nuisance to neighbours, and which you personally have control over, is unreasonable - whether it's music, DIY, barking dog, whatever.

stonethecrows · 21/08/2009 14:13

Network guy - like you say the cats are nobodies responsibility if they are stray. Guess I'd call the local cat protection league to collect them -I'm really not sure. not really the issue here, though, is it? The issue is that a dog, which IS the responsibility of someone, is making a lot of noise on a regular basis, and somebody is suffering because of this.

Also, how many times do I have to say I do not consider occasional barking to be a problem? It is regular barking, at unreasonable hours, that I have a problem with. Of course I don't think CM should have her dog put down if it barks occasionally - if it did it constantly, however, I would certainly think that something should be done - whether it be rehoming in the middle of nowhere or being put down.

A certain amount of noise is part and parcel of society, however a regular noise at unsociable hours is not.

Nancy66 · 21/08/2009 14:21

Vinblanc - as somebody who lives next door to a house full of dogs including those westie terrier things I can tell you that a yappy dog is probably more annoying than a loud bark.

It's all about respect. I'm assuming that most people wouldn't allow their children to be out screeching in the garden at 6am?

vinblanc · 21/08/2009 14:26

The OP is not living next to a houseful of dogs, though. It is one little YT.

And it is not a daily disturbance - it was Monday and Friday.

violethill · 21/08/2009 14:28

I agree with you nancy. A dog yapping in the middle of the night is probably more annoying than a larger dog giving an occasional bark. The constant thud of someone's bass is probably more annoying than an occasional loud blast of a song where you hear the melody.

Surely the whole point is that none of us can 'decide' what's reasonable for other people, because we all have different tastes and interests. If you can't stand classical music, you may well feel pissed off if your neighbour practises violin for half an hour a day, but on the other hand, they may think your taste in music is vile!

It's about give and take and being reasonable. Everyone should have the right to 'reasonable enjoyment'(or whatever the legal term is) in their home and garden. God knows, we each pay enough for our homes in this country!!

As I said, natural noises (birdsong/wild animals etc) can't be helped, but most noises are the responsibility of someone. If you want to own a dog, which isn't a necessity, it's a choice, then it's your responsibility to ensure that it doesn't infringe on your neighbours' rights to not have to listen to your dog.

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