We have new neighbors with two big dogs. One of the dogs barks incessantly. He barks if we or any of the neighbors step outside. If the owners are gone, (which they are during the day and most weekends) this dog never stops barking. He wakes us up before 6am every morning. I’ve written notes and talked with them about the situation and the gal tells me that the dog came from an abused home and I need to be patient. I have been patient for 3 months and I feel the dog is abusing us. I’ve shared with them the County Ordinances but have yet to file a complaint. If I do file a complaint, the consequences can be serious. Once the complaint is filed they must comply to the above ordinance. If anyone complains again, a county official is sent out. The third complaint results in a mandatory court appearance for the dog owner. Failure to appear will result in a warrant for the dog owners arrest.
At the risk of being called a “cranky old (I’m 52 today!) lady”….
What would you do about a neighbor’s dog that barks 24/7?
After reading some of the comments so far, I thought it best if I added a few more facts. The dog has been barking for 3 months. He doesn’t seem frightened or angry, he just stands wagging his tail barking or he jumps on the fence barking. All the neighbors are bothered as their children and my grand babies cannot go into the backyard without the dog barking. He actually seems like a well adjusted dog who just barks incessantly. We are unable to open our windows on a nice day and we need not set an alarm clock for the dog wakes everyone every morning between 5am & 6am when he is let outside. I suppose the biggest problem for me is…my husband has been recovering from several surgeries and is unable to get any uninterrupted rest. I have talked with the neighbors at least a half a dozen times and they just say, “we’re working on it” and shrug their shoulders. I’m with you Kailani on confrontations. I avoid any and all confrontations to all lengths. I don’t want to be a lousy neighbor. Please don’t think I’m making excuses, I just don’t want to take the next step.
Christine says
Is the barking early in the morning? Then I would definetly notify someone. If the dog has been abused than it needs someone with it to calm it down, not be left alone all the time. I agree with your neighbor it does take time, and it depends on the dog’s tempermant. Just my feelings. Hope this helps.
Marie says
Not at all. I would give them a deadline, a date that the problem must be resolved by or it will be reported. If they’re bothering you, they’re probably bothering others as well.
Jennifer says
This is a tough one. I agree with the neighbor & Christine on the patience/timing thing for an abused animal. However, an animal who is left alone A LOT will only feel abandoned, which will more than likely make them more difficult to calm. So, it’s hard to say what I would do. I think I might would try talking to the neighbors again and just be honest with them. If you’re an animal person, maybe offer to spend a little time with the dog every now & then to get him used to people, etc. Just a thought! Hope it helps!
Write From Karen says
I agree with Christine – the dog needs company. It’s probably scared of everything and everyone if it was abused.
I would talk to them again, impress upon them that it’s really disturbing the neighborhood and that you will give them such and such time to come up with an alternative. If the situation hasn’t been resolved in that time period, then you’ll have no choice but to report it.
Really, what else can you do? You can only be nice and understanding to a point. Good luck.
BTW, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Shauna says
The secret is out… Happy Birthday, Cathi!!!!!! The dogs…. mmm it is tough to be a good neighbor when your neighbors are not trying to be good neighbors….
kailani says
I’m not a confrontational person so I probably wouldn’t approach them directly. I would call the Humane Society so they could go and talk to them instead.
love.boxes says
I would write them a kind note and explain about your husbands surgery and that he really needs rest. And, let them know you intend to file a complaint in 10 days if the noise is not resolved. I don’t believe in being kind to an animal at the expense of an entire neighborhood. Not that I want to be unkind, but these dog owners are rude and irresponsible. They are making everyone suffer and not doing anything to alleviate an aggravating problem. Houses are expensive and we should all be able to live in our homes in peace. Do know that after you file a complaint.. you may not be on speaking terms with your neighbors again. Some people love their animals like their children, but if they love them like children.. they need to be responsible for them like they would a child. Sorry for the soap box.. this issue really bugs me and I think you’ve been very patient.
Sheila says
Gosh, that’s a tough situation.
I would let my neighbors know specifically how the barking dogs are affecting your life. Make sure that they understand how much it is bothering you and that you have endured this for 3 months now.
I agree with the earlier suggestions that it would help to give them a deadline.
Are there any Dog Whisperers in your area? Maybe that could help.
My parents have a distant neighbor with dogs that sometimes bark through the night. Several neighbors have approached them about the barking dogs and the owner says she doesn’t hear it. Maybe that’s the case with your new neighbor, maybe she’s grown so used to it that she doesn’t realize how disrupting it is to you.
Good luck!