I would really appreciate some advice about a barking dog

[CurrySpice]

Good evening! I hope you can give some advice to a person who knows nothing about dogs

A dog across the street from us is driving us BONKERS with its barking. It yaps constantly the whole time it is outside. And sadly, it is left outside all day while the owners are at work. I work at home and it is driving me to distraction! I cannot have the windows open as it is just a constant noise

It is often outside in the evenings and DD1's, whose room is about 15 yards away from this house's garden cannot have her window open because of the constant barking

Tonight has been the first time this years it's been warm enough to sit outside after work and...guess what...it's been ruined by the constant barking

Tonight I finally plucked up courage and knocked her door to ask if there was anything she could do to stop the barking. The dog was outside again because she had her hairdresser there and she said he goes mental if there's a stranger in the house

I asked her if she knew he barked all day while they were out and she said she didn't but she couldn't keep in in because he chewed the furniture and that it was "in his nature to bark"

I said that I didn't think he could be very happy if he barked so much and she asked me if I was accusing her of mistreating her dog. I said of course not but that I was at the end of my tether with it :(

Is there anything she / I can do?

Although I don't have a dog, my DP does and I am no dog hater but this is driving me insane.

Can you help me with any advice?

Or AIBU and dogs do bark all the time?

TIA

Speak to your local Dog Warden. They can speak with owners to resolve problems like this

Is it possible to train a dog not to bark?

Possibly but it sounds like the owner needs help with accepting that it does bark extensively (and quite possibly has detachment issues!) first.

And, I'd meant to add that you weren't wrong to think that it might be unhappy - constant chewing (over puppy age) and continual barking are neuroses which are associated with attachment issues.

I felt awful for saying that (I was a bit of a jitter about actually confronting her!) but I know my DP's dog doesn't bark like this

And, I'd meant to add that you weren't wrong to think that it might be unhappy - constant chewing (over puppy age) and continual barking are neuroses which are associated with attachment issues.

Sorry for the double post

Well good on you for confronting her! You shouldn't have to live with noise pollution and her dog shouldn't have to live in a permanent state of stress

I think I will start keepinga log with times etc before I report her. I don't want to cause her undue problems - I would just like her to sort it out :(

You aren't causing her undue problems - she's causing you (and quite probably her dog) undue problems! Don't think of speaking with your dog warden as reporting her as such but rather in terms of asking for their help in dealing with the matter of the barking. They, in turn and following communication with the owner, will decide whether there are any issues of neglect to work through with the owner.

Thanks oaf by the way!

If a dog warden turns up at hers she will know it's come from me and it'll be rather awkward? She was already pretty cross with me and slammed the door in my face

Bump for daytime people...

Agree with pp - I used to be a dog warden and deal with noisy dogs. If I received a complaint, usually in the first instance I would visit the area to see if I could hear anything and then would pay a visit to the owners to advise them that a complaint had been received and to offer advice as to how it could be resolved. I did not give out any details of who had complained as the last thing we wanted to do was start a neighbourhood dispute and give ourselves more work

At the end of the day, dog barking can be a nuisnace under the Environmental Health Act 1990 if it is considered to be "prejudicial (sp?) to health" and can be dealt with through noise abatement notices. Usually tho I managed to resolve the issue before it got that far.

In your shoes I would ring the warden (or Environmental Health if your council doesn't have a warden), explain the situation, then keep a log of when you are disturbed eg times, lengths of barking, where the dog is etc. Explain also that you have already approached the owner and the reaction you got - chances are if the barking is as intrusive as you say, the council will already be more than aware of it

hth

Thanks Who

The lady said she wasn't aware it barked. I think they have only been in about 6 months and maybe everyone else is at work during the day and doesn't notice so much

I was extra pissed off last night because it was such a nice evening.

You're welcome!

It sounds as though the dog warden could potentially be called by any neighbour within earshot. She can assume it's you but she wont know it's you (the DW will protect your anonymity if you request it).

What right does she actually have to be difficult with you even if she becomes aware you called the DW? You've been reasonable and attempted to speak with her directly. Don't let her aggressive response prevent or deter you from doing what you set out to do

(sorry for the delay, left the puta before pressing send and x'd many posts - what whojamaflip said!)

The barking has just stopped. It's been constant since 7:55 :(

I've recorded it on my dictaphone and reported it to the council.

Spoke too soon - started again