opinion needed re. barky neighbor dog (barking, noise, collars, outside) - - City-Data Forum

NorasMom · 06-22-2011, 06:33 AM

Ok, this is a really weird situation. I rent my house and moved in two months ago; my neighbor owns. Not that this should matter, but putting it out there. My neighbor has a dog who is outside all day, and that dog is really quiet when he's out there alone. I work from home but am not a freelancer - am often on client calls - don't expect silence but it could impact my job to have constant barking.

Anyway, my neighbor babysits two dogs for another neighbor all the time because she travels for work (same industry as me, ironically). One of the dogs is a huge barker. I thought the situation had been taken care of because that dog's barking came up in conversation one day, and I mentioned (pleasantly) that the dogs barked a lot when that one was over, and the neighbor immediately offered to keep the barky one inside, leaving his own outside. I was thrilled - no drama at all - and the dog has been inside during the day.

Until recently, when he left them both outside. I was actually leaving town that day (he didn't know that) so I was concerned but didn't say anything.

I've been getting the cold shoulder from this neighbor since, and haven't said one word to him about this, so it's weird. Maybe unrelated but I dunno.

Here's my question, as I seem to have toxic guilt about a lot of things

:

--do I need to feel guilty about the fact that I work from home and the dogs can't be outside all day running wild and barking? What if I were an elderly person at home?

He offered to put the dog in and it's not even his dog that's the problem. It's nice that the owner of that dog gets free dogsitting, and I'm sorry I'm ruining a good thing, but I'm not the only neighbor who can't stand hearing these dogs barking all day outside...I'm not sure if the other neighbors said that to him though.

Just curious as to your thoughts.

Squirl · 06-22-2011, 06:42 AM

I have a similar situation with a neighbor's dog. It has been going on for quite some time and I have at times been ok with having soft music on. But when it is consistently annoying, I call animal services and complain because I am so over dealing with my neighbor. If I make a complaint, I can count of a few months of relief before it starts again.

djshinodalp · 06-22-2011, 07:16 AM

Communication trumps everything else. If you're on OK terms with your neighbor, talk to them and see if everything is cool and explain your situation. Without them knowing your situation and likewise, you both can only make assumptions about each other.

NorasMom · 06-22-2011, 07:36 AM

Yeah, you're right. I have to ask him about it. He could be annoyed with me for some other reason, lol!

I think it is this though. This morning before he went to work he had both out and they were playing - no problem whatsoever, they were having fun (I was hoping my own dog would run along the fence with them) - he put the barky one inside and just seemed annoyed with me before he left. I dunno. I feel bad his dog doesn't have a playmate during the day, but hey - his dog would have a playmate if he kept them both inside. It's really hot out anyway. Shrug.

blpc · 06-22-2011, 10:29 AM

I feel your pain, we have a neighbor that at one time had 5 dogs that barked non stop, the police were here, animal control documented it and we took them to court 3 times, this continued for 10 years. Well he got rid of those and got 2 more that continued the barking (we had a 5 month respite with quiet in the neighborhood). He went back to court twice for these dogs and nothing happened. My husband and I went to see the Mayor over this and the neighbor went to court again was fined $800 and it has been blissfully quiet since then.He still has the dogs, they just don't bark non stop.
Don't get me wrong, I love dogs and have always had 2 of my own, still do but they can be trained NOT to bark all day long. I feel I should not have to listen to constant noise from other people and apparently the court agrees.

djshinodalp · 06-22-2011, 10:42 AM

blpc, what dogs were they?

PacificFlights · 06-22-2011, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorasMom

Yeah, you're right. I have to ask him about it. He could be annoyed with me for some other reason, lol!

Try and speak to the person.

It could be that others were disturbed by the barking and called the authorities. But since you were the one nice enough to speak to them, and they know it had disturbed you, they may think you were the ones who dropped the dime on them.

All sorts of things could be the cause and it may have nothing to do with you.

rfr69 · 06-22-2011, 02:26 PM

I have neighbors with a very barky dog. For the longest time I put up with it being a dog owner myself I know there's not much you can do about it at time except put a muzzle on the dog which you can't do all day.

Anyhow, I finally realized the dog barks because they leave it outside for 18 hours a day and it wants to come inside.

THese neigbhors are foreign, not sure hty know common courtesy of neighborhoods nad stuff. They recently put asphalt in their flowe beds nad landscaping just to give you an idea of some of the odd things they do.

Anyhow, it's getting to the point that Im going to go over there and put it very clearly that if they want a pet they should allow it in the house, if they dont they need to find a new home for it. I will be letting them know I will be calling animal control nad or the police. We live in townhomes so houses are extremely close an its ver noisy

LivingDeadGirl · 06-22-2011, 02:31 PM

I've worked in a "kill" shelter and seen countless numbers of dogs brought in and killed because they barked too much. Try to talk with the neighbors and explain you are willing to help them stop the barking. There are humane anti-bark collars and they work. Sometimes you have to shave the dog's neck to get contact if there is too much hair. What are the barking dogs barking at? If it is you, try to make friends with them so they won't bark at you anymore. I know it's a tough issue but by being reasonable, you may save a dog's life.

dogmomof2 · 06-22-2011, 06:52 PM

Truthfully, he might have a lot on his mind, and the cold shoulder you're sensing could have nothing to do with you. If you've only been acquainted for two months, I don't think that's long enough to know his personality. By cold shoulder do you mean he doesn't wave a and say hi, or he doesn't engage you in long conversations?

IMO the cold shoulder and no barking dogs is a good outcome! If you want to initiate contact, I would wait until you're both outside doing yardwork and have a friendly chat, or if you are all outside maybe offer his dogs a treat? I wouldn't bring up the "cold shoulder" issue, or even discuss the previous barking unless it's simply to tell him you appreciate it since you work from home.