Barking Dogs

[clothesminded]

I have two neighbors, one on the side and behind me, who have dogs that bark. One has a beagle who bays constantly. Both dogs get started around 8 or 9 and keep it up for hours. They start again in the morning, which doesn't bother me unless it's the weekend and I'm trying to sleep in. Don't noise ordinance apply to dogs?!

I don't know the owners of the house behind me. The other owners I wave to in passing and exchange brief greetings in passing. I went to their house last night around 11 and rang the doorbell. Of course, no answer. They were prob. sleeping soundly. I have no idea how people can not hear their dogs constant barking, and I'm very annoyed that people can be so darn inconsiderate!

I am thinking of writing an anonymous letter to the neighbors I don't know and going over to talk to the other neighbor. I am so upset from weeks or no sleep that I need help with my approach. Any suggestions would be very helpful.

 

[dbelden1]

I had a similar issue with my condo a few years back and the downstairs neighbors. They had a rather large dog (malimute/sled dog mix that should have been outdoors in a HUGE hard) for 800 Sq Ft unit, and kept it penned while they were out because she would chew everything in sight... While they were out the dog would howl and bark (quite possibly more irritating and haunting than the beagle) the ENTIRE time this couple was out... she was good while they were there... maybe your neighbors just don't realize it... TV too loud, aren't really that into the dogs or are just plain oblivious to the noise... almost tuning them out because its easier to do that than to deal with than the root of the cause (actually getting involved with your pets!) in my opinion it is a form of neglect!

I wrote the Condo Association a complaint letter, which really did nothing. I also contacted the local Animal Control and filed an annonamous complaint, although I did have to give my general address just not my name (so much for annonamous). They apparently sent a letter to the residence below me but I still got no real resolution. One day shortly after that the owners went door to door (I assume to find out by process of elimination who filed the complaint) and said that they really didn't realize that there was an issue... Yeah, right... they wouldn't get to the bottom of the stairs without the dog howling and they would bang on the door and yell at her to be quiet, and then leave! Not very responsible. Anyway, it was very uncomfortable to me to have them in my face, although they were very apoligetic (I do not like making waves or being confrontational at all ~ but hated the barking more)... still nothing happened as they had no way to control the dog. they did say that they would try other means to keep the barking to a minimum. You have to expect some barking from dogs, as that is their nature for the most part, but when owners do not take responsibility for their pets it leads to some very nasty and resentful attitudes towards them from other neighbors, as you are all too familiar with... I finally moved, but I still own the place and have not had any complaints from my tenants, so that's good.

You might want to check with your local Animal Control or your local/city/state website for information on animals and ordinances about loud or barking dogs...

Good luck with this issue...

 

[clothesminded]

Thanks for telling me about your situation. I don't understand why people would want a dog if they never pay any attention to it. I have a husky and she never barks. I made sure when I bought her that I did my research and knew that the breed I bought would not bark constantly.

I have a bad feeling that nothing will be done. I just don't "get" people. I am going over to my side neighbor's house in a few minutes. Wish me luck!

 

[sparrow13]

It's a little known fact of physics that people can never hear their own dogs barking. I absolutely loathe it when people say "well yeah but dogs bark, that's what they do to communicate." Well sure, dogs *do* bark rather than say, use morse code or send up smoke signals but that doesn't mean they should be allowed to do it incessantly! My suggestions, if talking to your neighbors doesn't help:

- record the endless barking, as proof
- keep calling animal control
- take advantage of any meditation program your town might offer
- look into "no bark" systems, the high frequency sound wave thingees I mean

HTH!

Sparrow

ETA: I meant to say "take advantage of any MEDIATION PROGRAM your town might offer!" However, the meditation angle might help too!

 

[clothesminded]

Sparrow,

I always love your posts. They make me laugh out loud!

I think that many people have lost compassion for others. I see it daily on my drive to work (I live in a big city).

I just tried going over to my neighbor's house and they weren't home (or maybe they can't hear that doorbell either!) I will try again later.

Do you think the high frequency things would annoy my own dog, who stays outside some nights?

 

[SirenSongWoman]

I am nearly oblivious to the sound of barking dogs. A good thing since, living in a bad neighborhood, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE and it never stops. When I was in high school my mom and dad went driving all around the convoluted streets of our neighborhood looking for the house with the barking dog that kept my mom awake all night. A group of neighbors were out talking and asked my parents if they could help. Mom asked who owned the famous barking dog and she found out the dog was owned by a retired Marine who wasn't home much. They all talked and that was the last of the barking dog. Evidently, they told him people were looking for him and he hadn't realized how big the problem was. In my neighborhood, though, there would always be another barking dog to deal with so it's good I've become used to it.

Several years ago there was an editorial in the local newspaper where they interviewed the guy who runs the local government office that deals with the owners of barking dogs. I had no idea such an office existed until then. With budget cuts, it probably no longer does exist. Still, it might be worth investigating to find out if such an office exists in your local government and taking it to them. If not, I really wonder if there's anything that can be done.

 

[Brighton]

I had a similar issue with my condo a few years back and the downstairs neighbors. The dog would howl and bark (quite possibly more irritating and haunting than the beagle) the ENTIRE time this couple was out... she was good while they were there... maybe your neighbors just don't realize it...

A couple months back we learned that our dog had been barking like crazy when we weren't home. We had absolutely no idea, and were really grateful that the neighbors said something. Hopefully it's a similar situation & things will get resolved quickly. Best wishes for some quiet weekend mornings!

 

[DirtDiva]

The people across the street have two large dogs and they bark and charge everyone that walks past their house. Its quite startling and after a while, especially at night and early morning the resentment builds. Even when I asked nicely...nothing was done.

Check your local noise and animal ordinance. I tried diplomacy, then filed a complaint which would equate $50 for every call. Well that worked. And no, I'm not a dog hater, I had a very large 90 pound dog that could shave the hair off your eardrums when she set off. The big difference was, she knew what to bark at and when. God rest her soul, I do miss her.