Dog barking noise complaint - what is excessive?
Discussion
Coming at this from the side of the dog owner with a neighbour (lives in the house behind ours - back gardens back on to each other) who is known to be 'fussy'.
They moved in to their house first, we've had the dog for 4.5 years now. The dog is not a noisy dog. Someone is at home with her 95% of the time (she's a rescue and has separation anxiety and her character is very shy/non-vocal). The only time she barks is occasionally when someone comes to the front door and when we play with her in the back garden...
....Which we've done since we got her and she started barking during play time at least a couple of years ago. Playing in the garden happens only during the summer months. We play with the dog, which lasts for 30 minutes max, usually for 15-20 minutes, usually between 6-8pm on weekdays or anytime up till 8pm on weekends. Sometimes our housemates will play with the dog too, so infrequently she can play in the back garden a couple of times a day. During play the dog will bark 2-3 times in quick succession and no more than half a dozen of these bursts each round of play.
Last week the neighbour made some not-so-quiet remarks to herself in the back garden about the dog barking whilst I was out playing with the dog. Tonight she's come out whilst I was playing with the dog and asked if I have to play with the dog every evening and "does she have to bark?!". She's mentioned about contacting the council to make a noise complaint.
All this to say, does anyone know what constitutes as 'excessive' with regards to noise complaints? I would have thought dog noise complaints are reserved for situations where the dog is barking on and off continually throughout the day (and night). However looking through the Gov.uk website it seems like as a dog owner you have to take steps to remedy the situation regardless of how persnickety the complain is?!
They moved in to their house first, we've had the dog for 4.5 years now. The dog is not a noisy dog. Someone is at home with her 95% of the time (she's a rescue and has separation anxiety and her character is very shy/non-vocal). The only time she barks is occasionally when someone comes to the front door and when we play with her in the back garden...
....Which we've done since we got her and she started barking during play time at least a couple of years ago. Playing in the garden happens only during the summer months. We play with the dog, which lasts for 30 minutes max, usually for 15-20 minutes, usually between 6-8pm on weekdays or anytime up till 8pm on weekends. Sometimes our housemates will play with the dog too, so infrequently she can play in the back garden a couple of times a day. During play the dog will bark 2-3 times in quick succession and no more than half a dozen of these bursts each round of play.
Last week the neighbour made some not-so-quiet remarks to herself in the back garden about the dog barking whilst I was out playing with the dog. Tonight she's come out whilst I was playing with the dog and asked if I have to play with the dog every evening and "does she have to bark?!". She's mentioned about contacting the council to make a noise complaint.
All this to say, does anyone know what constitutes as 'excessive' with regards to noise complaints? I would have thought dog noise complaints are reserved for situations where the dog is barking on and off continually throughout the day (and night). However looking through the Gov.uk website it seems like as a dog owner you have to take steps to remedy the situation regardless of how persnickety the complain is?!
If it is as you describe she will get nowhere. If there was a possibility the environmental health people will help her monitor the noise over a period of time.
If after that they decided she had a cause for concern they would contact you and discuss what could be done. Offer to plant a huge fast growing conifer hedge to block out the sound (just kidding).
I would just carry on as normal and ignore her.
If after that they decided she had a cause for concern they would contact you and discuss what could be done. Offer to plant a huge fast growing conifer hedge to block out the sound (just kidding).
I would just carry on as normal and ignore her.
We had put up with the occasional barking from the black lab over the road. It was frequently left on the drive, and whenever another dog was walked past, a minute of almost constant barking would ensue.
Then, one Sunday, the thing started barking at 6am. Continuously. By 8.30 I'd had enough, did a search on my local council website and filled in the online form. A week later we received a letter, and so did they, outlining the complaint and what the next steps would be if the problem continued.
The problem hasn't come back. The dog owners have changed their routines slightly, dog still barks occasionally but hey it's a dog!
What grips my ship is that people have dogs and just don't appreciate the annoyance they can cause. Being in a house in the 30° heat with all the windows closed because some inconsiderate dog owners would rather it barked outside than in their living room is pure ignorance.
I appreciate that some people just have to possess certain lifestyle accessories, but please, you really wouldn't like it if I played Fat of the Land on repeat on my hifi out loud in the garden while you're trying to relax.
Then, one Sunday, the thing started barking at 6am. Continuously. By 8.30 I'd had enough, did a search on my local council website and filled in the online form. A week later we received a letter, and so did they, outlining the complaint and what the next steps would be if the problem continued.
The problem hasn't come back. The dog owners have changed their routines slightly, dog still barks occasionally but hey it's a dog!
What grips my ship is that people have dogs and just don't appreciate the annoyance they can cause. Being in a house in the 30° heat with all the windows closed because some inconsiderate dog owners would rather it barked outside than in their living room is pure ignorance.
I appreciate that some people just have to possess certain lifestyle accessories, but please, you really wouldn't like it if I played Fat of the Land on repeat on my hifi out loud in the garden while you're trying to relax.
I think there’s a difference between 2.5 hours of continuous barking, or even a minute of continuous barking, and 2 or 3 barks every few minutes spread over a 20 period once or twice a day.
We live next to University fields that get used very, very frequently by other dog walkers, so ours isn’t the only dog they’ll hear during the day.
We live next to University fields that get used very, very frequently by other dog walkers, so ours isn’t the only dog they’ll hear during the day.
It’s relatively easy to train a dog not to bark, the problem is most owners simply can’t be bothered to train their animals for the environment in which they are to be habitated in.
We used to live on a nice suburban estate, adjacent gardens etc so our dog was trained not to bark. Obviously he still does if surprised/threatened which to us is a good balance for security, but throwing a ball or play time does not need barking.
We used to live on a nice suburban estate, adjacent gardens etc so our dog was trained not to bark. Obviously he still does if surprised/threatened which to us is a good balance for security, but throwing a ball or play time does not need barking.
jammy-git said:
I think there’s a difference between 2.5 hours of continuous barking, or even a minute of continuous barking, and 2 or 3 barks every few minutes spread over a 20 period once or twice a day.
We live next to University fields that get used very, very frequently by other dog walkers, so ours isn’t the only dog they’ll hear during the day.
Forget comparisons with other sources of noise, the complaint will be about the dog barking, and if the council gets involved that's what they'll be looking at. The suddenness of a dog bark puts people on edge and is very different to most other sounds, afterall the bark does have a purpose, and it's not to help people relax! I love dogs but I'm mostly playing devil's advocate here, by the way. We live next to University fields that get used very, very frequently by other dog walkers, so ours isn’t the only dog they’ll hear during the day.
I'm in a similar situation (roles reversed) with back gardens mated by a fence/hedge. Neighbour has a yappy dog and kids that enjoy playing with it in the back garden especially during the recent nice weather. The bloody thing yaps (think it's a pug) for about 10 minutes at a time after which I hear the dad lazily say "bruce" (name changed to protect the annoying) in a -100% of the time- failed attempt to shut it up. If I'm in the back garden and make any noise - yapping for 10 minutes.
It's very annoying but is it worth falling out with a neighbour over? I'm thinking no. We all live in close proximity so these things are somewhat to be expected, worse things happen at sea etc..
I can see both sides and it can be very frustrating to have to listen to but hopefully it doesn't mean falling out with a neighbour as I think that could be a much worse situation. I go out of my way to get on with everyone that could potentially f
k up my domestic bliss.
It's very annoying but is it worth falling out with a neighbour over? I'm thinking no. We all live in close proximity so these things are somewhat to be expected, worse things happen at sea etc..
I can see both sides and it can be very frustrating to have to listen to but hopefully it doesn't mean falling out with a neighbour as I think that could be a much worse situation. I go out of my way to get on with everyone that could potentially f
k up my domestic bliss. I can definitely see both sides of the argument. I've lived in a number of houses where there were dogs that barked all through the day and agree it can be very annoying.
My girlfriend is very much of the opinion that every attempt should be made to appease the neighbours.
Personally, if this lady wasn't known for being overly-sensitive to every minor thing I think I would have more sympathy. Last year our neighbour in front of us got permission to burn some garden rubbish in the field adjacent to all our properties and it didn't take long before lady behind to phone the council and complain about the smoke going into her garden (of which there was none). She's complained about us cutting her conifers overhanging our fence. She's complained about neighbours having building work done. Literally no one else in the two closes has had any problem with any of this stuff, but Mrs Bucket over there always does.
My girlfriend is very much of the opinion that every attempt should be made to appease the neighbours.
Personally, if this lady wasn't known for being overly-sensitive to every minor thing I think I would have more sympathy. Last year our neighbour in front of us got permission to burn some garden rubbish in the field adjacent to all our properties and it didn't take long before lady behind to phone the council and complain about the smoke going into her garden (of which there was none). She's complained about us cutting her conifers overhanging our fence. She's complained about neighbours having building work done. Literally no one else in the two closes has had any problem with any of this stuff, but Mrs Bucket over there always does.
We fell out massively with our neighbours over their dog. We'd been good friends for years until they decided to get a Shiitzu. They haven't bothered training it and hardly ever walk the poor thing. If they go out for the day the dog never goes with them, I've never seen them put it in the car, and when they do go out it barks constantly. It barks during the night if it hears a gnat fart in the garden and our houses are joined together so I'm regularly woken up.
The final straw came one Saturday when we endured over 8 hours of constant barking, it had driven me and the missus to the point of insanity. We'd both had a few drinks when they came back home at 11:30pm and let them have it big time on the driveway. Not our proudest moment but I was at the point of ripping my hair out. The husband came round to apologise the next morning and I also apologised for the way i handled things, though things are frosty between us now.
The dog still barks as soon as I step into the garden and it hears my decking creak. I suppose i'll just have to wait a few more years and hopefully nature will have taken it's course and the Shiitzu will be no more.
The final straw came one Saturday when we endured over 8 hours of constant barking, it had driven me and the missus to the point of insanity. We'd both had a few drinks when they came back home at 11:30pm and let them have it big time on the driveway. Not our proudest moment but I was at the point of ripping my hair out. The husband came round to apologise the next morning and I also apologised for the way i handled things, though things are frosty between us now.
The dog still barks as soon as I step into the garden and it hears my decking creak. I suppose i'll just have to wait a few more years and hopefully nature will have taken it's course and the Shiitzu will be no more.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
It’s relatively easy to train a dog not to bark, the problem is most owners simply can’t be bothered to train their animals for the environment in which they are to be habitated in.
We used to live on a nice suburban estate, adjacent gardens etc so our dog was trained not to bark. Obviously he still does if surprised/threatened which to us is a good balance for security, but throwing a ball or play time does not need barking.
Dogs bark.We used to live on a nice suburban estate, adjacent gardens etc so our dog was trained not to bark. Obviously he still does if surprised/threatened which to us is a good balance for security, but throwing a ball or play time does not need barking.
It's like training a human to not speak.
A few barks here and there are fine.
Constant barking is not.
There is a difference.
As said, if its as you say, I cant see her getting anywhere. She should try living next to our neighbour!
We have a dog that is very like you describe (also a rescue, lurcher, didnt bark once for the first month, but now barks occasionally during play) but they have a couple of smaller dogs, never appear to be walked, always in the garden, often alone, often/usually barking. I would rather not have it, but hey, they are dogs, we bought a semi-det, and fortunately they are small enough you can hear them much from inside the house.
Daniel
We have a dog that is very like you describe (also a rescue, lurcher, didnt bark once for the first month, but now barks occasionally during play) but they have a couple of smaller dogs, never appear to be walked, always in the garden, often alone, often/usually barking. I would rather not have it, but hey, they are dogs, we bought a semi-det, and fortunately they are small enough you can hear them much from inside the house.
Daniel
Tony1963 said:
I appreciate that some people just have to possess certain lifestyle accessories, but please, you really wouldn't like it if I played Fat of the Land on repeat on my hifi out loud in the garden while you're trying to relax.
Sounds good to me. I'll bring my dog, and a bottle of wine. We'll make an evening of it.Thanks!
I've lived next to someone who used to illegally breed dogs (mainly mastiffs), parrots (and 'keets), birds of prey - all sorts. I know what problem neighbours can be like!
Whilst I may be slightly biased I believe we take very good care of our dog because we know what a rubbish life she had before we got her. We always make sure she gets 2 one-hour walks every day, regardless of weather. She's well groomed, well fed, always has someone with her during the day. We have 5 housemates we rent rooms to so the times when she's completely alone are few and far between. I really don't consider her a nuisance to anyone.
I agree with those that have said I doubt this lady would get very far with a noise complaint, but there's always that one council who will do anything to appease those that continually complain to them!
I've lived next to someone who used to illegally breed dogs (mainly mastiffs), parrots (and 'keets), birds of prey - all sorts. I know what problem neighbours can be like!
Whilst I may be slightly biased I believe we take very good care of our dog because we know what a rubbish life she had before we got her. We always make sure she gets 2 one-hour walks every day, regardless of weather. She's well groomed, well fed, always has someone with her during the day. We have 5 housemates we rent rooms to so the times when she's completely alone are few and far between. I really don't consider her a nuisance to anyone.
I agree with those that have said I doubt this lady would get very far with a noise complaint, but there's always that one council who will do anything to appease those that continually complain to them!
In a very similar situation. We live next door to some council types whos dad bought them a house.
We also have a dog who does bark but only playfully now and again. These people have two border collie cross things, they never ever walk them as the first hest they go is to toilet in the back garden, which is littered with poo. They bark constantly all day when they are home and the minute they go out the dogs are howling non stop until they come home, it's even at it right now.
I feel sorry for the dogs as they are clearly under exercised and the owners could care less. I can sort of block it out but the missus is at the very edge of tipping point.
I'd go down and speak to her but I know for a fact she's the brash, loud and unapproachable type so it would make no difference as they care for nobody but themselves.
We also have a dog who does bark but only playfully now and again. These people have two border collie cross things, they never ever walk them as the first hest they go is to toilet in the back garden, which is littered with poo. They bark constantly all day when they are home and the minute they go out the dogs are howling non stop until they come home, it's even at it right now.
I feel sorry for the dogs as they are clearly under exercised and the owners could care less. I can sort of block it out but the missus is at the very edge of tipping point.
I'd go down and speak to her but I know for a fact she's the brash, loud and unapproachable type so it would make no difference as they care for nobody but themselves.
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