Dog & Neighbour Issues
Discussion
A bit of a long winded story this but hoping the PH experts can offer some pointers.
Last August we bought a new puppy and after a couple of weeks it became apparent that it had separation issues causing it to bark at night and/or if it was left alone. Our neighbour put a note through our door complaining that it was disturbing him; I went to see him and apologised, assuring him we would take steps to sort it out. The OH is a big lover of dogs and has successfully trained a number of puppies before.
Eventually, after 3 months of one of us sleeping on the living room floor every night, a variety of chew toys, a pheromone diffuser, several trips to the vet and much anguish we arrived at a point where the dog was silent at night. This period was punctuated with a variety of notes from next door complaining about barking etc and culminated in my sending a letter to him detailing the steps we had taken and politely asking him to consider just how much of an effort it had been.
With that taken care of, the focus turned to getting it to be quiet when left alone in the house. This happens very scarcely anyway as if we are both at work or out elsewhere it goes to the in-laws' house. However, occasionally it is necessary to leave it if we have to nip out or if I get called out (I work for a funeral director). At a guess I would say this happens no more than twice a month for no more than 30 mins at a time.
The obvious approach as we saw it was to chuck the dog in at the deep end, so to speak, and leave it alone for increasing periods of time until it became accustomed to it. However, each time we tried this we got a note complaining that the dog is barking persistently, each time with more threats of reporting us to the council. I have repeatedly asked that he bear with us for a couple of weeks so that we can train the dog to be alone but he will not have this and so the cycle continues with us running up our own arses trying to sort doggy daycare out all the time as we are terrified of being reported to the powers that be.
This has now been going on for several months but things came to a head today when we popped to the shop for 15 mins and decided not to take the dog as it was too hot to leave it in the car or tie it up outside in the sun. Cue a note on our return saying that we were going to be reported to the council and the RSPCA(!), as it was now beyond a joke and his children have threatened to stop coming to stay as it woke them up at 7.30 am last Sunday (which it didn't, because it wasn't here).
He claims to have recordings going back to October and he is also making note of our movements, times we leave and times we come back etc. His partner works in a hairdressers next door to the in-laws house and he is therefore also monitoring our coming and going from there and the dogs actions in their back garden. He has sworn at me out of his window, been rude toward the OH in the street and sworn at me again tonight when my patience expired and I went to - politely - have it out with him.
Now, I appreciate that for the few minutes a month that it goes on it must be frustrating to hear the noise, but surely this is a bit excessive? We feel like prisoners in our own home and constantly feel like we are being watched. The word harassment gets bandied about too much nowadays but to be honest I feel like we are heading in that direction which is just ridiculous.
What is galling is that there is a lad a couple of doors up who has a full-scale disco going on at all hours most days and there are other houses with dogs nearby, some of whom seem to leave them alone and barking all day. I have asked him whether he is complaining to any of these people but apparently not.
I am at my wits end now and have no idea what to do; if he does report us to the council I am pretty sure that they would not find much against us as the dog is well fed, healthy, exercised regularly, vaccinated, given flea and worm treatments and is well socialised. The house is tidy, it has plenty of room to roam about, a comfy bed and plenty of water. Nevertheless I am bothered that he is going to land us in hot water over what is really a triviality.
I was wondering if any PH experts can advise on a) what we can expect if he does report us and b) whether there is anything we can legally do to get him to sod off and leave us in peace. Any help would be much appreciated.
Last August we bought a new puppy and after a couple of weeks it became apparent that it had separation issues causing it to bark at night and/or if it was left alone. Our neighbour put a note through our door complaining that it was disturbing him; I went to see him and apologised, assuring him we would take steps to sort it out. The OH is a big lover of dogs and has successfully trained a number of puppies before.
Eventually, after 3 months of one of us sleeping on the living room floor every night, a variety of chew toys, a pheromone diffuser, several trips to the vet and much anguish we arrived at a point where the dog was silent at night. This period was punctuated with a variety of notes from next door complaining about barking etc and culminated in my sending a letter to him detailing the steps we had taken and politely asking him to consider just how much of an effort it had been.
With that taken care of, the focus turned to getting it to be quiet when left alone in the house. This happens very scarcely anyway as if we are both at work or out elsewhere it goes to the in-laws' house. However, occasionally it is necessary to leave it if we have to nip out or if I get called out (I work for a funeral director). At a guess I would say this happens no more than twice a month for no more than 30 mins at a time.
The obvious approach as we saw it was to chuck the dog in at the deep end, so to speak, and leave it alone for increasing periods of time until it became accustomed to it. However, each time we tried this we got a note complaining that the dog is barking persistently, each time with more threats of reporting us to the council. I have repeatedly asked that he bear with us for a couple of weeks so that we can train the dog to be alone but he will not have this and so the cycle continues with us running up our own arses trying to sort doggy daycare out all the time as we are terrified of being reported to the powers that be.
This has now been going on for several months but things came to a head today when we popped to the shop for 15 mins and decided not to take the dog as it was too hot to leave it in the car or tie it up outside in the sun. Cue a note on our return saying that we were going to be reported to the council and the RSPCA(!), as it was now beyond a joke and his children have threatened to stop coming to stay as it woke them up at 7.30 am last Sunday (which it didn't, because it wasn't here).
He claims to have recordings going back to October and he is also making note of our movements, times we leave and times we come back etc. His partner works in a hairdressers next door to the in-laws house and he is therefore also monitoring our coming and going from there and the dogs actions in their back garden. He has sworn at me out of his window, been rude toward the OH in the street and sworn at me again tonight when my patience expired and I went to - politely - have it out with him.
Now, I appreciate that for the few minutes a month that it goes on it must be frustrating to hear the noise, but surely this is a bit excessive? We feel like prisoners in our own home and constantly feel like we are being watched. The word harassment gets bandied about too much nowadays but to be honest I feel like we are heading in that direction which is just ridiculous.
What is galling is that there is a lad a couple of doors up who has a full-scale disco going on at all hours most days and there are other houses with dogs nearby, some of whom seem to leave them alone and barking all day. I have asked him whether he is complaining to any of these people but apparently not.
I am at my wits end now and have no idea what to do; if he does report us to the council I am pretty sure that they would not find much against us as the dog is well fed, healthy, exercised regularly, vaccinated, given flea and worm treatments and is well socialised. The house is tidy, it has plenty of room to roam about, a comfy bed and plenty of water. Nevertheless I am bothered that he is going to land us in hot water over what is really a triviality.
I was wondering if any PH experts can advise on a) what we can expect if he does report us and b) whether there is anything we can legally do to get him to sod off and leave us in peace. Any help would be much appreciated.
Shoot the stupid dog and get a more intelligent dog (ie quieter) even better let your neighbour shoot the noisy dog and bond a good relationship between you.
Or give it to pet rescue.
Or have you spoken to your local Korean restaurant about this problem maybe they could help?
Nothing more annoying than a noisy dog next door where the neighbour loves it too much to see how it's affecting other people ( we've always had pets but would never let them upset neighbours).
Or give it to pet rescue.
Or have you spoken to your local Korean restaurant about this problem maybe they could help?
Nothing more annoying than a noisy dog next door where the neighbour loves it too much to see how it's affecting other people ( we've always had pets but would never let them upset neighbours).
We moved from a secluded house to a semi a couple of years ago and after a week got a note though the door saying that our dogs had barked all the time we were out.
We only leave them if it is really necessary, hot weather etc. They both love coming out with us.
So we set up a camera, recorded them to the computer and went out.
They both (4yo Springer Spaniel (nutty as a fruit cake!) and a 13yo Old English Sheep Dog (very defensive of 'her' territory) went to sleep about 30 seconds after we had left but barked like mad when we came home.
I spoke to the neighbor in the adjoining semi and he said it wasn't him but the other side of us who were professional moaners!
A few weeks later the moaner came up our drive to moan about the dogs barking, our Son had come to see us and was playing with them in the garden, I said sorry but she said she would be reporting us.
I said fine go ahead.
Never heard another thing.
We only leave them if it is really necessary, hot weather etc. They both love coming out with us.
So we set up a camera, recorded them to the computer and went out.
They both (4yo Springer Spaniel (nutty as a fruit cake!) and a 13yo Old English Sheep Dog (very defensive of 'her' territory) went to sleep about 30 seconds after we had left but barked like mad when we came home.
I spoke to the neighbor in the adjoining semi and he said it wasn't him but the other side of us who were professional moaners!
A few weeks later the moaner came up our drive to moan about the dogs barking, our Son had come to see us and was playing with them in the garden, I said sorry but she said she would be reporting us.
I said fine go ahead.
Never heard another thing.
rallycross said:
Shoot the stupid dog and get a more intelligent dog (ie quieter) even better let your neighbour shoot the noisy dog and bond a good relationship between you.
Or give it to pet rescue.
Or have you spoken to your local Korean restaurant about this problem maybe they could help?
Nothing more annoying than a noisy dog next door where the neighbour loves it too much to see how it's affecting other people ( we've always had pets but would never let them upset neighbours).
^^^^^ This , exactly as he said . get rid of the stupid dog.Or give it to pet rescue.
Or have you spoken to your local Korean restaurant about this problem maybe they could help?
Nothing more annoying than a noisy dog next door where the neighbour loves it too much to see how it's affecting other people ( we've always had pets but would never let them upset neighbours).
The street in which I live has two houses with noisy dogs. One house has two terriers that often bark for hours even during the night. This has been going on for over 2 years. They seem to be outside all the time. A couple of approaches to them have been met with, "They're dogs, dogs bark, get used to it".
Another house has a dog that regularly barks and howls. Sometimes at 1 or 2 in the morning.
A couple of complaints to the council have been met with a form being supplied that must be filled in for two weeks with every occasion that the dogs bark. It's bad enough hearing the dogs all the time without having to make an effort to listen out for them and keep records.
No one living in the street wants to make an official complaint as they will then have to declare 'problem with neighbours' when selling their house.
Any suggestions on how to solve the problem? Poison or baseball bat are not acceptable answers - I blame the owners not the dogs.
The original poster seems to be attempting to stop his dogs making an unreasonable amount of noise.
Another house has a dog that regularly barks and howls. Sometimes at 1 or 2 in the morning.
A couple of complaints to the council have been met with a form being supplied that must be filled in for two weeks with every occasion that the dogs bark. It's bad enough hearing the dogs all the time without having to make an effort to listen out for them and keep records.
No one living in the street wants to make an official complaint as they will then have to declare 'problem with neighbours' when selling their house.
Any suggestions on how to solve the problem? Poison or baseball bat are not acceptable answers - I blame the owners not the dogs.
The original poster seems to be attempting to stop his dogs making an unreasonable amount of noise.
Is your dog actually still barking when you go out OP; you cited one instance on a Sunday morning when it woke the neighbours kids up, however you say that the dog wasn't actually there so it couldn't have happened and you also mention that the neighbour has said he knows all of your comings and goings, perhaps now he is just being an arse and making your life difficult due to the previous issues with the barking and in actual fact there is now no barking at all?
I would set up a camera or recording equipment in the area where the dog is left when you go out to actually see if he does bark when you aren't in the house.
From what you have written it does sound to me that the neighbour is just one of those arsey busybodies that is never happy unless he is having a moan and these sort of people always over exaggerate any issue, no matter how minor and see things that aren't there.
I would set up a camera or recording equipment in the area where the dog is left when you go out to actually see if he does bark when you aren't in the house.
From what you have written it does sound to me that the neighbour is just one of those arsey busybodies that is never happy unless he is having a moan and these sort of people always over exaggerate any issue, no matter how minor and see things that aren't there.
Jesus, I feel lucky to live next to some decent people. Brought a puppy last year and we had issues of him barking and generally being "naughty" for a bit until we got him in line. Nothing was said and they knew we were in the process of sorting it.
It's all just a bit of give and take to be honest, sometimes my neighbour likes to play music on a Fri/Sat night when he has friends over...so what. To live close to other people means that at times you may hear them or even, god forbid, see them!
It's all just a bit of give and take to be honest, sometimes my neighbour likes to play music on a Fri/Sat night when he has friends over...so what. To live close to other people means that at times you may hear them or even, god forbid, see them!
"I have repeatedly asked that he bear with us for a couple of weeks so that we can train the dog to be alone"
"This has now been going on for several months"
No offence OP but it sounds like your promises are hollow with regard to training this dog. One sympathises with neighbour, dog barks are acute and loud, quite unlike music or a mower going or something.
When exactly are you going to finish training the dog bearing in mind by your own admission that it's been going on for several months?
"This has now been going on for several months"
No offence OP but it sounds like your promises are hollow with regard to training this dog. One sympathises with neighbour, dog barks are acute and loud, quite unlike music or a mower going or something.
When exactly are you going to finish training the dog bearing in mind by your own admission that it's been going on for several months?
cold thursday said:
rallycross said:
Shoot the stupid dog and get a more intelligent dog (ie quieter) even better let your neighbour shoot the noisy dog and bond a good relationship between you.
Or give it to pet rescue.
Or have you spoken to your local Korean restaurant about this problem maybe they could help?
Nothing more annoying than a noisy dog next door where the neighbour loves it too much to see how it's affecting other people ( we've always had pets but would never let them upset neighbours).
^^^^^ This , exactly as he said . get rid of the stupid dog.Or give it to pet rescue.
Or have you spoken to your local Korean restaurant about this problem maybe they could help?
Nothing more annoying than a noisy dog next door where the neighbour loves it too much to see how it's affecting other people ( we've always had pets but would never let them upset neighbours).
I've trained gun dogs mongrels rescue dogs it's not hard.
Durzel said:
"I have repeatedly asked that he bear with us for a couple of weeks so that we can train the dog to be alone"
"This has now been going on for several months"
No offence OP but it sounds like your promises are hollow with regard to training this dog. One sympathises with neighbour, dog barks are acute and loud, quite unlike music or a mower going or something.
When exactly are you going to finish training the dog bearing in mind by your own admission that it's been going on for several months?
11 months, so far. Sounds like the OP is being as reasonable as they can to keep the dog quiet, but failing. The neighbour is getting pissed off with a years worth of barking. Something has to change, either the OP gets the dog properly trained or a replacement. Or deaf neighbours."This has now been going on for several months"
No offence OP but it sounds like your promises are hollow with regard to training this dog. One sympathises with neighbour, dog barks are acute and loud, quite unlike music or a mower going or something.
When exactly are you going to finish training the dog bearing in mind by your own admission that it's been going on for several months?
When my mum moved into her new house she visited all the neighbours to tell them if there were any problems with the dog whilst she was at work to let her know so she could attempt to resolve it.
No issue for three years. Then some utter scumbags moved into the council house on the opposite corner and within weeks she had an anonymous note through the door saying "fed up of your dog yapping, f
king shut it up".
Unfortunately, on the reverse of the note was some type that mentioned contacting 'your local housing authority rent control' which gave away it was the aholes in the council house. I went to visit them, remained polite about it but he was a coward and denied it was them (another neighbour would later tell my mum he'd seen him at her back fence shouting at the dog).
Having monitored the dog it turned out he'd bark if someone walked past with another dog, or when he could hear my mum returning home. That was it.
What really pissed me off though was the fact these parasites have three little yappy dogs themselves that NEVER stop barking, even when the scumbags are at home all day.
Sometimes I think people just like to cause trouble as they have nothing better to do.
No issue for three years. Then some utter scumbags moved into the council house on the opposite corner and within weeks she had an anonymous note through the door saying "fed up of your dog yapping, f
king shut it up".Unfortunately, on the reverse of the note was some type that mentioned contacting 'your local housing authority rent control' which gave away it was the a
holes in the council house. I went to visit them, remained polite about it but he was a coward and denied it was them (another neighbour would later tell my mum he'd seen him at her back fence shouting at the dog).Having monitored the dog it turned out he'd bark if someone walked past with another dog, or when he could hear my mum returning home. That was it.
What really pissed me off though was the fact these parasites have three little yappy dogs themselves that NEVER stop barking, even when the scumbags are at home all day.
Sometimes I think people just like to cause trouble as they have nothing better to do.
No idea if they do or not. Theirs is the only council house until further down the street, all the other houses surrounding my mums are privately owned so it was clear they were responsible for the note. They're like the Clampetts. until recently they had two grotty caravans in the back garden (they're not travellers) and the garden is in a right state (despite the council sorting it all before they moved in).
They seem to be breeding constantly so probably due an upgrade to a bigger house soon anyway.
They seem to be breeding constantly so probably due an upgrade to a bigger house soon anyway.
Last post- caravan in garden - locally ,permission is given to park a CAR ,but not commercial vehicle or caravan in garden ,and garden has to have hard standing , else it's a breach of tenancy. Chat with a council housing officer might yield results on the caravan. Mentioning the dogs might be best avoided . Housing officer will say it's been noticed on routine inspection.
Well the caravans have gone as of last week. One was in the back garden (not on hard standing afaik) and the other was outside the front of the house. They looked like they should have been scrapped but I heard her telling someone they go away in them! I assume one of the other neighbours complained and they were told to shift them
hedgefinder said:
the simple answer is just to get a second dog. Its highly unlikely that the barking will continue as they will keep each other company when you go out and it will negate the abandonment issues your dog obviously has.
Great idea,Maybe I can help - we have had a noisy one over our fence for years.
Does the second dog have to be alive?
BOF
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