bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Yesterday and today and almost every day we are woken by either the dog next to us -- they have a raised ranch and let the dog out on the top deck. He is a shepard and barks non-stop. It's worse because he is high up and the bark carries so far.

Right behind us they have a small yappy dog, that they let out into the cold or rain or whatever, and he also barks forever until they decide to let him in.

I have a dog, and when I let him in the yard, he barks ONCE and I call him in the house. I don't want to disrupt the neighbors.

What would you do? I am so fed up today that I wrote a note and plan to place in in each one's door. What do you think?

DEAR NEIGHBOR:


WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR DOG’S WELFARE. IT SEEMS HE IS LEFT FOR HOURS OUTSIDE, BARKING. THIS IS VERY DISRUPTIVE AND UPSETTING.

PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOUR DOG AS NEEDED AND WHEN HE IS BARKING, WHY NOT BRING HIM BACK INSIDE SO THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOES NOT HAVE TO LISTEN TO BARKING FOR HOURS ON END?


WE WOULD ALL APPRECIATE IT.





THANK YOU FROM CONCERNED NEIGHBORS.

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Bark back! Nice response. I'd put it in the mailbox or something - and I'd try my hardest not to be seen

Funny story: when my Dad had a bad car accident a couple of years ago, he was out of work and home resting. It was the summer, so he was outside sometimes, or inside with the doors/windows open...the neighbors 2 huge dogs were left outside ALL DAY and barked ALL DAY. After about 4 days of the incessant barking, Dad (with his cane, on his broken knee) hobbled up to the neighbors door with a post it - "CALL ME ASAP - WE NEED TO DISCUSS WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT YOUR DOGS BARKING ALLLLLL DAYYYY. ###-####. Sincerely, Bob X."

The neighbor never called, and the dogs were kept inside from then on!

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

If I were you, when the dog is barking...I would get up and walk to the house and knock on the door until they answer. At which point I would tell them that their barking dog is very disruptive and please do something about it. I don't think a note is going to work with people like these. They have no thought for anyone else and are just going to throw the note away. You can also call the police and file a complaint.

If I were you...I would say something face to face. That way it can remain civil and you know they heard you.

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

This is hard, cause if you dont want them to know its from you to avoid awkardness in the future then I would simply call the police- not 911- but your precint and ask them what can you do. If you dont mind them knowing its you then I would knock on the door when its happening, the dog barking and I would wait at least 10 minutes too that the dog has been barking so you dont seem too anxious or pushy. See this is hard b/c you know your neighbors will never look at you the same and if they are friendly with other neighbors you know they will be talking about you.
We had the same problem, they just moved thank god, she had 10 little dogs and left them out all day so they would bark and bark and make my dogs crazy, so I just dealt with it. I kept the windows closed on that side of the house, lol. Good luck!

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Check to see if your town has an ordinance on this. I know we used to have a problem in our house growing up, and then we learned there was a town ordinance about barking dogs, and we sent a copy of it to the neighbors. It must have freaked them out and they brought the dogs inside after that.

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

i had a problem w/ a neighbor's barking dog when i lived in a apartment. i wrote a letter something to the effect of, "please note that the incessant barking has become intolerable for us all. it would be greatly appreciated if you could keep your animal inside during the early morning and evening hours. it this is not feasible, i high recommend that you invest in a bark control collar. we and the rest of the community look forward to a bark free future."

it worked for a few weeks but the barking continued after that unitl we moved out. i would advise that you speak w/ the neighbors directly. in hindsight, that is what i wish i would have done. be polite and say that other neighbors have commented as well (this way you are not the viewed as the evil one) and it would be greatly appreciated if the barking is kept to a minimum.

Message edited 12/18/2005 3:05:36 PM.

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Are you my neighbor??
Seriously, the house next to us has a golden retriever that barks from 6am on weekdays, and 730am on weekends.
As I was reading your post, the dog started barking again.
When my inlaws let their dog out, she barks a few times at the one next door, as soon as she starts my inlaws call her in.
Its so annoying!!!

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

I had this at my other house. OMG its horrible! We had it at 11pm and 6 am. I honestly bet the police r called so may times for these types of situations. I wonder how important it becomes when it happens so much.

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

i think the letter is a good idea... but also if they are leaving him outside for unreasonable amounts of time contact the aspca

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

good luck Kara! I think the note or knocking on their door are both fine ways of handling it. It is very rude to let barking go on and on. We are lucky with Casey and Tally- neither are barkers except when people ring the door bell- if they were, we would call them inside.

Keep us posted about what happens!

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Well I left a note at each door. One house, with the shepard, moved in just a few months ago. I have never seen them face to face. The other house are renters. I have no clue who even lives there - a little girl was playing outside and took the note from me!

I don't think the first house even saw the note because the dog was out again all afternoon (barking of course). The other house, I called the cops on once because the tiny dog was outside at 2am, and it was last winter -- definitely below freezing. I was so upset. But now I think they are new renters, but just as bad.

We'll see...if nothing improves, I will probably go face to face. We are in Seaford, no local police, just the Nassau cops....hard to get them involved really...but I will speak with my cousing, he's a Nassau cop but in a different district.

Thanks for the advice.

Re: bARKING dOG - WHAT WOULD YOU DO?