So next door neighbours dog, SHUT UP!!!!!!

[alex1982]

Morning all

I've lived at my address for about 3 years and never had any problems with my neighbour, until he brought a puppy last summer. He lives on his own most of the time, has his kids at the weekend so i think the dog is mainly for them, but as hes at work from around 6-6.30 - 5 each weekday, the dog is home alone. Most weeks i dont start my job til around 10 - 11 in the morning, but usually we're woken up around 6:30 with the dog howling or barking.

Ok, i've gotta say something to try shut the dog up, but theres no point just mouthing off. Anybody got any constructive suggestions i can make to my neighbour to try to keep the dog quiet please?

thanks in advance...

[Pothole]

AFAIK, it's generally not recommended to leave a dog alone for more than 4 hours at a stretch.

If you have a goodish relationship with him, pop round and just mention it. Stay calm. He may not be aware of the problem, so no need to be aggressive.

[anonymous-user]

RSPCA?

[Puggit]

Cats are for when you go to work all the time, dogs need company. He's a fool for getting the dog, but as above, he probably doesn't know what's going on.

[Gargamel]

Buy him another puppy - two together are usually happier.

[softtop]

Gargamel said:

Buy him another puppy - two together are usually happier.

don't make it worse,the dog should go to another home and no, they won't be upset if they get a better life.

[alex1982]

Thought about the rspca, but i get on ok with the guy usually, didn't really wanna land him with a hefty fine. My first thought was a muzzle, then maybe suggesting an obidience school, but you guys reckon the dog just needs company?

We've tried our best to live with it for a while, hoping as he grows up, he'll grow out of it, but not yet. We were thinking of selling our house anyway, so thats not gonna help if we get a viewing.

thanks

[muley]

Gargamel said:

Buy him another puppy - two together are usually happier.

That MIGHT work, but for my wife's work colleague the result was, er, twice the noise.

[kVA]

He almost certainly doesn't know his dog barks all day, so popping round for a friendly chat would be the best approach. Anything else could end up in a horrible environment and atmosphere if you want to stay living there!

He is clearly not very aware of the responsibilities of dog ownership (otherwise he wouldn't leave a puppy on its own all day every day, so creating a conflict won't help either of you, or solve the problem! Suggest that he either consults a behaviourist and finds out a little bit about dealing with 'separation anxiety' or maybe gets another dog to give his current one some company (preferably a 'mature' rescue dog, rather than an unattended puppy), or gets a dog-sitter to call in, or something.

As an alternative, if you actually like dogs, why not offer to look after the dog during the day, if you are at home? It will probably just sleep quite happily in a corner if it can see you...

That's exactly what my dog does when I am working at home (she's behind my chair, fast asleep and perfectly contented right now )

[GTIR]

Wasn't there a thread about a deaf bloke with a dog and him concerned about upsetting his neighbours?

Surely not both PH'ers living next door to eachother! Crazy.

[soad]

Puggit said:

Cats are for when you go to work all the time, dogs need company. He's a fool for getting the dog, but as above, he probably doesn't know what's going on.

Spot on. Explain this to the said neighbour - if a fool still takes no notice, get RSPCA on the case.

Edited by soad on Wednesday 10th March 10:07

[becksW]

Go and hava a chat, there is a LOT he can do to try and break this behaviour. He is leaving the dog alone for too long.
He can't use a muzzle

He needs to hava a chat to a nurse at his local vets, there is usually one who will have an interest in this field. These are the sort of things they could suggest:
1. Buy boredom prevention toys
2. Get a dog walker in to take it out during day
3. Try a DAP plug in pheremone product designed to help provide some calm to the dog
4. Could try a newer product called Zylkene as well, it is not a drug but could help with the stress the dog is enduring when being left.

NOt sure how you'd approach all this too him but I'd hope if he cares seeking the advice from his own vets will provide these possible solutions.

If he does nothing then you have to report him, he is not being fair to the dog and laws now can prosecute for lack of 'mental wellbeing' to an animal, not just physical as it used to be.

[Rooster]

My dog used to howl all day as well, I found the practical solution was to either pay for someone to walk him during the day, get a kong (plastic toy that can be filled with treats and ensures the dog has to work hard at getting the treats out so distracting them) lots of walkies before and after work to tire him out and when possible I used to take him to work with me, I worked in a depot and he used to sleep under the desk quite happily.
Your neighbours dog is lonely and bored.

[alex1982]

Thanks all, think i'll speak to him tonight. I'm fairly sure nobody visits during the day so the poor thing is there on its own for a long time. Dont think he'd be the sort of person who is delibrately being cruel, probably just doesn't realise and none of the old farts in our street have bothered to say anything either.

[kVA]

alex1982 said:

Thanks all, think i'll speak to him tonight. I'm fairly sure nobody visits during the day so the poor thing is there on its own for a long time. Dont think he'd be the sort of person who is delibrately being cruel, probably just doesn't realise and none of the old farts in our street have bothered to say anything either.

Using the phrase "poor thing" suggests that you might actually like dogs yourself? If so, think about my suggestion and maybe offer to look after the dog when you are at home? I find it quite therapeutic having a dog alongside me while working from home... The dog probably just wants a bit of company to help him feel secure and safe while he has a sleep (a lone dog / wolf has to be absolutely exhausted before it will ever lie down and sleep as it is too vulnerable to predators, or not doing his 'job' if a guard animal)

[Rooster]

alex1982 said:

Thanks all, think i'll speak to him tonight. I'm fairly sure nobody visits during the day so the poor thing is there on its own for a long time. Dont think he'd be the sort of person who is delibrately being cruel, probably just doesn't realise and none of the old farts in our street have bothered to say anything either.

perhaps some of the old farts can be cajoled into looking after the dog daily, I used to pay my mates teenager to walk mine which worked a treat.

[louiebaby]

Puggit said:

Cats are for when you go to work all the time, dogs need company. He's a fool for getting the dog, but as above, he probably doesn't know what's going on.

Indeed. Fish work well for this too...

Both me and the other half would love dogs, but in London, in a small flat, and both of us working odd shifts, it wouldn't provide a stable "pack" for the dog to join.

We'll wait till we move to the countryside, and one of us is staying home, or can take a dog with us to work.

[HundredthIdiot]

I do know someone who, after a few years of suffering from a next door neighbours constantly barking dog, took matters into his own hands and "euthanased" the dog.

Or that's what he told me once when he was drunk. I didn't press the issue.

[Mobile Chicane]

Rooster said:

alex1982 said:

Thanks all, think i'll speak to him tonight. I'm fairly sure nobody visits during the day so the poor thing is there on its own for a long time. Dont think he'd be the sort of person who is delibrately being cruel, probably just doesn't realise and none of the old farts in our street have bothered to say anything either.

perhaps some of the old farts can be cajoled into looking after the dog daily, I used to pay my mates teenager to walk mine which worked a treat.

My local kennels offer a daytime 'doggy creche'. Could be worth investigating if there is anything like that in the area.

[Galsia]

My next door neighbour does this too. I've often thought about getting a dog whistle and giving it a blast everytime the thing barks. Would this work?