Howling dog next door - new job working fully from home.

[Ginspirational]

We had some new neighbours move in about 6 months ago and they have an elderly dog. This dog howls loudly when they go out - usually between 10-1. She has a toddler and a baby so I’m guessing she takes them out during that time.

Whilst this is irritating, we would just turn the tv up/ignore it and go about our business. However I’ve just got a new job that’s fully remote and in our office you can hear everything. I’m trying to do work calls and the dog bowls the entire time, people think it’s my dog!

Should I just go over and say something? I’m not sure what she’s going to be able to do though - stay inside all the time? Get someone to sit with the dog? We get along well and I don’t want to cause problems but it’s really difficult to work next to it.

can you set up your desk somewhere else?

noise cancelljng headphones usually are very good. but of course they don't help with the distraction.

Definately go round and say something. Be nice about it though.

You could talk to them, but it isn't their responsibility to provide you with a perfect working environment.

Is there another room you could use, or anyway to add soundproofing? Any soft furnishings you can add will help absorb noise. You can also get microphones for your computer which help to get rid of background noise (SIL uses them when he is gaming so DD can watch TV)

Definitely tell them, they might not know (I’d be really upset if my dog howled while I was out ).

But also agree with noise cancelling headphones - and would always use headphones for work calls as all household sound carries though them (and it’s irritating for people on a call with you). If you can’t listen to music while working - try ambient noise.

Thank you - unfortunately we had to use the box room for the office as the others are used as bedrooms and that’s the one with the shared wall. Hadn’t considered noise cancelling headphones so I’ll give those a go!

My old neighbours bought a puppy and left if for hours at a time howling with loneliness

My other neighbours with dogs said to call the RSPCA because it's cruel to leave a dog alone who's upset and barking or howling for hours on end

Luckily they soon moved out so I never had to call

Yes I would worry for the dog if it was left alone day and night but it’s literally just those 3 hours every day.

I think if noise cancelling headphones work, then I’d leave it. Mostly because it’s not the end of the world (however frustrating it is).

Is this the fight/battle you want to pick with them? Neighbours (usually) accept criticism
/complaints once and then if another different one is made they get nasty (IME).

The noise of the dog barking and howling would drive me insane. I would absolutely mention it to them, it's not ok to disturb your neighbours like that regardless of whether you WFH or not. Not to mention the poor dog being so unhappy.

We had this. The howling was so sorrowful that I had to let them know. They got some medication from the vet apparently and it mostly stopped. I felt really sorry for the dog but they weren't to know (it was an old lab and the cat it used to have as company had died so I guess it was lonely). Have a word with them as they may not be aware. I would want to know if it was my dog.