Neighbour's howling dog. What should I do

[caringcaroline]

New neighbour moved in a year ago. They're doing the house up and I rarely see them coming and going / rarely hear them (they're an end of terrace house).

However, it seems they frequently leave their dog there. It's an adult lab. It howls an awful lot of the time and I'm concerned that it might be lonely / distressed. I very seldom them, despite working from home. I wouldn't feel comfortable approaching them as I don't know them at all.

I guess they must come back to feed it. I don't think they'd neglect it in that way. They're not bad people I don't think. I'm sat out in my yard listening to the poor thing bark constantly and howl. At other times, the howl sounds pitiful.

Now, I'm not a dog owner but even to me I think it sounds it needs more attention.

What should I do? Is there some channel I could route my concerns through?

How long is the dog left for?
As a dog owner, I'd be heartbroken if I thought either of my dogs were becoming distressed when left, and although I'd be mortified, I'd also be more than grateful for someone to tell me, so I could sort and stop it.

If your neighbours are responsible dog owners, they will want to know, so if you don't feel you can approach them, maybe write a friendly note and pop it through the letterbox.
If they take umbrage then they're clearly not decent dog owners and your next step would be the council and/or the RSPCA.
Good luck 👍

I've heard it howl for about 5 hours non-stop at times. I don't know where they are: at work; at another address whilst there are ongoing building works.

Our last dog used to do this. We were mortified. We tried lots of things to help - left a radio on, extra chew toys, blinds closed etc. I think some digs just don’t like to be left alone. However if he is left alone all the time, that is very sad. As long as he is cared for though, I’m not sure there is much you can do. Definitely let them know kindly as they probably don’t even realise.

Could you put a note through the door and ask them if they are aware their dog howls the whole time it's left alone?

I thought of doing that but then thought 'is that being too passive aggressive?'

Earlier this evening, I ended up calling out to it through the wall, trying to reassure it.

Funnily enough, after that it went quiet. Either it worked or there was someone in the house (they have teenage kids) who was ignoring it but was galvanised into action by the batty middle-aged woman next door talking to their dog through the wall!).

That's really not okay.

Sadly, lots of people leave their dogs all day and genuinely have no idea they're so distressed and unhappy. My own dog suffers badly from separation anxiety so I just don't leave him longer than he's happy to be left. Yes, it's restrictive but it's a risk you take on when you get a dog.

I suspect they have no idea that he's so upset - if you can't catch them to talk to, I would leave a note for them. If my dog was crying/howling like that, I'd want to know about it so I could make things better for him.

Our dog was doing this when left alone and we had no idea because we never heard it. When our neighbours told us we first thought they were lying (they weren't very nice) but it did result in the dog then going to spend the day with my grandparents who were always at home, so he was much happier.

To be honest I'd have to go and knock the door at various times until I got to speak to them. When you say there are building works going on, is the dog there then? Do they actually live there? They need to know their dog is distressed.

I think you need to tell them as they probably do not realise.

5 hours is okay for some dogs, but most would struggle being left that long.

If it were me I would tell them. Leave a note with your number or something.

Mine can’t be left so he either comes with me or goes to doggy day care or friends/family depending on the situation. It’s inconvenient but part of being a dog owner, you just have to do what’s best for them.

@skippetyskoo did the distractions work for yours? I’m currently training/building up the time mine can be left for but we’re still only up to minutes and it’s a loooonnggg process.

The poor thing is miserable!! 5 hours non stop howling! imagine how worked up and stressed he must be permanently.

Chittychittybangbang - they seem to live there part time. I don't know if it's because they're having building works done. I can't hear them during the day and it's a terraced house so would hear them going about their business. I think if I continue to hear it over the BH weekend I'm going to pop a note through the door. Poor thing, it sounds, well, lonely.

This is exactly how my brother acquired a dog-share arrangement. Next doors dog was howling, he went round to complain, and fast forward about 5 mins and the dog now spends his days when the family are out, sitting under my brother’s desk being fed treats and being shamelessly fussed. Win all round!