Neighbour's dog barks all the time

[Doona]

It's a 6 month old puppy and it has a really loud, high pitched yap, meters from my window. I'm trying to work, or relax, it's very distracting.

My husband suggested talking to the neighbours, but I'm thinking, what's the point? Can you stop a dog barking? Unless they shut it indoors, which seems unworkable.

You absolutely can stop a dog barking.

If it's barking constantly it's either bored, stressed or suffering from separation anxiety.

Are the owners at home at the time? Do you see them doing anything to prevent the behaviour? Mine will bark at birds or cats in the garden but gets called in as soon as he starts and isn't allowed out unattended before 9am either.

If the dog is home alone the neighbours may have no idea that their dog is making such a racket.

Your DH is right in that the first step is to talk to the neighbours. They need to come up with a plan to help their dog.

And I hope your comment of "unless they shut it indoors" doesn't mean it's left unattended to bark in the garden for hours on end?

Of course you can train them not to bark. Mine knew if he barked he had to come in, learned within a week.

Thanks! I didn't know you could train dogs not to bark.

I think they do leave it unattended some days. Maybe I could offer to walk it? I'd far rather do that if it calmed down afterwards, but my children say that would be weird.

Not your problem so no to offering to walk it. Your problem is persuading your neighbours to manage the barking otherwise risk poor neighbour relations, and to believe a good relationship with neighbours is gold.

Do you this is a lockdown dog which neighbours have no idea how to care and nurture. Suspect if you keep the problem squarely with them they can either turn into good dog handlers or compelled to find someone can properly nurture the little puppy. Poor thing

I had this issue and actually posted here for advice under a different username back then! It was a husky in upstairs flat and would bark and howl for hours. Think it used to wreck their flat while they were out too! We tried to raise it but they brushed us off initially. What worked was writing to them about separation anxiety in dogs, how we knew they loved the dog but we would have no option but to report as noise complaint if it continued. Also enclosed a leaflet (on advice of rspca) about separation anxiety. Plus about 6 neighbours signed it as they were being disturbed too. Dog does still howl every now and then but it’s a rare event! Try talking to them first-they might not know -but things really improved here once we wrote to them!

@Doona

Thanks! I didn't know you could train dogs not to bark.

I think they do leave it unattended some days. Maybe I could offer to walk it? I'd far rather do that if it calmed down afterwards, but my children say that would be weird.

I know you mean well, but don't let it become your problem. They'll soon expect you to walk the dog for free all the time - it's their pet, they need to take responsibility.

If the dog is distressed when alone, they need to either change their routine so the dog isn't left, or pay for professional dog care - that could be a walker, a sitter or sending the pup to daycare while they work.

Don't go down the road of being the solution to their problem!

@Badmuthachuffa genius getting fellow neighbours to sign. Gives the statement gravitas.

Thank you for your advice. I won't offer to walk it! Yes, good relations with neighbours is so important.