This is an ongoing issue that is beginning to affect my health. My neighbours let their dog out throughout the day, but then shut the back door, go back inside, and leave it there for varying lengths of time alone. Could be 5 minutes, could be 3 hours. the problem is, the dog barks repeatedly until let in - cries, barks, howls. I never know when this is going to be and because I now have the expectation it will happen, it triggers a stress response in me.
A couple of months ago, I politely visited a couple of times and explained to the man that lived there that the barking was causing a disturbance. He was very reasonable and friendly saying he does try to shut the dog up believe it or not and he will try harder. It stopped the barking...for one night...then it continued as normal. After 3 hours on a Sunday morning of constant barking, I went round again, but this time his wife answered and yelled a tirade at me, calling me crazy, and that it was not their dog making the noise.Then slammed the door on me. the barking promptly stopped after she had obviously brought it back in. (it is their dog making the noise)
I am at a loss, as it just won't stop. I am on edge all the time in my free time at home. I have been off work sick for 2 weeks due to flu, and have been woken up in the morning, then again around 11:30pm every day over the xmas period. And the barking has been intermittent throughout the day. I am reluctant to complain to the council as it is my mother's house and i don't want this to affect her selling the house in the future if she wants to (i heard a record is kept on the property for a noise complaint in the area). there is a whole set of flats next door that just don't seem to mind the barking as i'm not aware of anyone else complaining.
Please help. Any ideas/solutions would be greatly appreciated.