Dogs Barking Complaint

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BoggyGirl

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I had a letter from the Environmental Health on Monday about excessive dog barking. I rang them up and one of the neighbours behind has complained about the dogs barking in the garden. They do when they go for a wee sometimes of course and as other gardens surround (its a big housing estate) cars and other dog passing have caused a reaction in the past. A major issue was a neighbour who doesn't put her dog on the lead and let him keep coming up to our fence which is the sort with latts so they can come nose to nose (Scotland very windy area). I had asked before but no notice was taken so I immediately went round with the letter and had a chat. She was lovely and has stopped the dog doing it. We will be putting up something against the bottom of the fence to stop them being able to see out too.

The thing is I now feel like a prisoner in my own home. I'm taking the dogs out individually to wee on the lead in the garden in the mornings for fear that this woman is going to complain again. Its my house I own it. The environmental health man said basically they have to be barking for 15 minute blocks which they NEVER have so they wont proceed but its been so stressful. The dogs have made more mess in the house as a result (one is a puppy). I would have let them out on their own before but obviously cant now even individually in case they start barking at something. My children sleep in the bedroom above the garden and have never been woken in the mornings by them. Her complaint is that it sets her dogs off and others and then she is awake for the day. I don't want to upset anyone but now its making my life a total nightmare. I can't take them for a walk as I have kids alone in bed and no other adult here to watch them hence using the lead in the garden.

I am not sure what the answer is I just wondered if others have experienced it the whole thing is just horrible. I am working on teaching the dogs the "quiet" command but beyond moving what are you supposed to do? The officer at the council was lovely but its made me feel really uncomfortable in my own home its horrible. They have big walks and I work from home all day so aren't alone. She is complaining solely about the garden. Sorry for the rant just feeling really fed up about it.
 
I had a situation like this once. It didn't come to anything but I know what you mean about being a prisoner in your own home.
If I were you I would deal with the fence as soon as possible. Also maybe just take them out on leads first thing and last thing. The rest of the time let them off lead and teach them to come to you for a treat once they have peed and pooed.
Also give them stuff to do in the garden that keeps them quiet. Can they have marrow bones?
Stuffed kongs etc.
That way they will learn the garden is not always somewhere to bark.
Also keep a log of when they bark in case it goes further.
 
The letter is a standard warning. To prove noise nuisance to a level that warrants a noise abatement order to be issued the council will have to put noise monitoring equipment in the complainants home.

your neighbour will be asked to keep a diary before the equipment goes in.
 
AdorableAlice said:
The letter is a standard warning. To prove noise nuisance to a level that warrants a noise abatement order to be issued the council will have to put noise monitoring equipment in the complainants home.

your neighbour will be asked to keep a diary before the equipment goes in.
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And have to prove that its actually your dogs that are barking.
 
AdorableAlice said:
The letter is a standard warning. To prove noise nuisance to a level that warrants a noise abatement order to be issued the council will have to put noise monitoring equipment in the complainants home.

your neighbour will be asked to keep a diary before the equipment goes in.
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Thank you the man explained that and he was lovely. They haven't made a noise all week I've bent over backwards so they don't but its making my life miserable. I have noticed since (I am so paranoid) that many are barking. I would never want to upset anyone but I want to be able to live reasonably too. I have wanted to move for a long time to somewhere more remote this is a good shove.

Ironically this person has two dogs screaming kids and likes to have parties all night in the summer. I wouldn't have dreamed of calling about her so I guess mine must have been more annoying than I realised.
 
Amymay said:
And have to prove that its actually your dogs that are barking.
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This worries me as many are around us. He mentioned the noise equipment but I don't know how that could make it mine. As I understand it has to be regularly 15 mins at a time. Its never been that they go out for a wee if they bark I have always got them in so two mins max. I understand that must be annoying if its set hers off but its really hard if something sets mine off too. As I said alone on the lead in the garden they haven't its just a lot of hassle for me and accidents in the house. Hopefully they will learn the lead in the garden soon.
 
angrybird1 said:
I had a situation like this once. It didn't come to anything but I know what you mean about being a prisoner in your own home.
If I were you I would deal with the fence as soon as possible. Also maybe just take them out on leads first thing and last thing. The rest of the time let them off lead and teach them to come to you for a treat once they have peed and pooed.
Also give them stuff to do in the garden that keeps them quiet. Can they have marrow bones?
Stuffed kongs etc.
That way they will learn the garden is not always somewhere to bark.
Also keep a log of when they bark in case it goes further.
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Thank you the log is a really good idea I will do that
 
You DO NOT need to be silent! You just need to not cause an excessive level of noise that becomes a nuisance. Put the things in place you mention and go back to your normal life. Having been down this road it takes a long time before anything will be done even if you are a genuine problem which it doesn't sound like you are!
 
Honestly, I’d try not to worry about it. They send a letter as a matter of course if someone complains. It doesn’t mean there’s a problem, just that one person has a problem.

If you are sure they aren’t barking excessively I’d just carry on as normal. Certainly put something on the bottom of the fence (slats make me shudder, there’s so much potential for catching things like kennel cough etc and accidental biting with them), but other than that it’s not really a problem that needs solving. Some people just like to complain!
 
meleeka said:
Honestly, I’d try not to worry about it. They send a letter as a matter of course if someone complains. It doesn’t mean there’s a problem, just that one person has a problem.

If you are sure they aren’t barking excessively I’d just carry on as normal. Certainly put something on the bottom of the fence (slats make me shudder, there’s so much potential for catching things like kennel cough etc and accidental biting with them), but other than that it’s not really a problem that needs solving. Some people just like to complain!
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Thanks guys i'm so glad I posted its been driving me insane. My friend is coming to help with the fence. People park against it so with light mornings and people de-icing and the neighbours dog being allowed to wonder up and down it yes they have barked. We are literally talking seconds I go flying out because I don't want my primary age kids woken up. Its very tricky with the puppy I don't want to ruin its house training but its sadly the one most likely to bark.

The other neighbour who owns the barking dog at the fence was so apologetic she did say the noise is at least 50% her fault but sadly when they look out behind they see mine at the fence not what at.

I will take the measures and then let it relax a bit. The man said he was sure he wouldn't even get the log back in from her so not sure what the content of the complaint was. The woman works nights she was saying it woke her up in the day. I think she was probably tired as I work from home on the phones they are NOT barking all day or I would be out of a job.
 
I had the same problem. I know how you feel. Mine did bark for seconds as I always got them in if they barked. They never barked on and on. I just went out with them for first and last toilet breaks and then carried on as normal.
I did a log for a short period just for my own satisfaction. Barking in the garden can get to be a habit though so I would try to use something as a distraction. kongs or bones or toys.
It's not your fault if your neighbours work nights though. Dogs will never be 100% silent. It's a case of being aware but not obsessive.
Don't let them back at unsocible times of for long periods of time and you will be fine.
 
I can only reiterate what others have said. Keep a log of your own dogs barking (and it might be helpful to also note down when neighbours dogs bark too and for how long). If your dogs are barking for two or three minutes at a time, that is not a noise nuisance, so don't change what you are doing ie letting them out for toilet breaks etc. Speak to your other neighbours (if you are on friendly terms) and ask whether they have had a problem with noise from your garden. I would also get the fence sorted asap, if your dogs can't see out that should help decrease any reaction to dogs, people etc going by.
The thought of living in such close quarters with other people after being in an isolated spot for 15 years fills me with dread. In your situation, and if it is practicable, I would definitely look to move more remotely.
 
Moobli said:
I can only reiterate what others have said. Keep a log of your own dogs barking (and it might be helpful to also note down when neighbours dogs bark too and for how long). If your dogs are barking for two or three minutes at a time, that is not a noise nuisance, so don't change what you are doing ie letting them out for toilet breaks etc. Speak to your other neighbours (if you are on friendly terms) and ask whether they have had a problem with noise from your garden. I would also get the fence sorted asap, if your dogs can't see out that should help decrease any reaction to dogs, people etc going by.
The thought of living in such close quarters with other people after being in an isolated spot for 15 years fills me with dread. In your situation, and if it is practicable, I would definitely look to move more remotely.
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Its something I hate but we had to get this place short term. I'm definitely going to move its not just the dogs that drive me mad its the lack of privacy. I don't want them to be totally non reactive when we do move so its a difficult line. We will work on the fence this weekend. Thank you for the kind words.
 
BoggyGirl said:
Ironically this person has two dogs screaming kids and likes to have parties all night in the summer. I wouldn't have dreamed of calling about her so I guess mine must have been more annoying than I realised.
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I just wanted to say, don't assume this is the case (i.e. that your dogs are really annoying and you hadn't realised) - it may just be that you are a reasonable and tolerant person and she is not. Don't beat yourself up about this. It really doesn't sound like you've done anything wrong. Living in a relatively cramped suburban area is always going to come with noise, unfortunately we all just have to live with it, to a point. Hope the fence adaptions go well this weekend.
 
Widgeon said:
I just wanted to say, don't assume this is the case (i.e. that your dogs are really annoying and you hadn't realised) - it may just be that you are a reasonable and tolerant person and she is not. Don't beat yourself up about this. It really doesn't sound like you've done anything wrong. Living in a relatively cramped suburban area is always going to come with noise, unfortunately we all just have to live with it, to a point. Hope the fence adaptions go well this weekend.
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Thank you. None of the other neighbours say its an issue. The house we are attached too say they cant hear anything. I am always paranoid about the kids being a pain so probably hyper sensitive. She came to the door once a couple of years ago ranting about a white dog making noise - mine is black she got the wrong house...
 
I've been/am on the other side of this.

Have a detached neighbour who has 2 wee dogs and they bark a lot. They are left in the house alone often and bark constantly. I'm not attached to the neighbour and theres a path between our houses yet it still makes working from home quite difficult at times and very annoying. I can hear them over thr TV at night too.

The neighbours let the dogs out together and they bark a lot when outside. They arent supervised and are left to bark. They can be outside barking at "unsociable hours" too ie after 11pm and before 5am. Not great fun when working my hours.

I like dogs, was brought up with them and would have my own if I didnt work full time meaning they were left in the house for long periods of time and I'm well aware that dogs can bark. However it is really annoying and distressing to have my life (in my bought and owned private house) disturbed by barking dogs.

It's easy to teach dogs to "speak" and be quiet on command. No reason that dogs cant be supervised when out in their gardens and given the quiet command should they bark.

If owners are leaving dogs in the house alone it's easy to record them. I bet more than a few would be surprised at the noise made when they're not there!

From the other side the "prisoner in own home" seems a bit dramatic because its the owners choice to have dogs and let them behave in that way. Only they can train out the barking and remedy the situation. I dont have dogs and have to put up with noise, disruption and interrupted sleep through no fault of my own with no way to fix the situation.

Probably grumpy because of yet another late night and early morning bout of barking but theres two sides to every story. Barking dogs are VERY annoying!
 
I agree with TPO, it’s really annoying living next to barking dogs and unacceptable to allow it to happen. Every time it comes up on here, it’s someone else’s fault, just don’t let your dogs bark in your garden or house, there is no need for it !
 
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bonny said:
I agree with TPO, it’s really annoying living next to barking dogs and unacceptable to allow it to happen. Every time it comes up on here, it’s someone else’s fault, just don’t let your dogs bark in your garden or house, there is no need for it !
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Dogs occasionally bark. It’s what they do. Some breeds are worse than others. The OP says she goes and gets them if they bark so isn’t allowing it to happen at all. If someone is offended by a few seconds of barking they should probably move to the country in the middle of nowhere.

That said I totally agree when dogs bark for ages and the owner doesn’t hear them or just doesn’t care. I did report a neighbour once and luckily the letter they received must have made them think as the barking, and more importantly the dog being shut in the garden for hours, decreased dramatically.
 
meleeka said:
Dogs occasionally bark. It’s what they do. Some breeds are worse than others. The OP says she goes and gets them if they bark so isn’t allowing it to happen at all. If someone is offended by a few seconds of barking they should probably move to the country in the middle of nowhere.

That said I totally agree when dogs bark for ages and the owner doesn’t hear them or just doesn’t care. I did report a neighbour once and luckily the letter they received must have made them think as the barking, and more importantly the dog being shut in the garden for hours, decreased dramatically.
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I very much doubt that someone has complained about a few seconds barking !
 
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I've never had dogs who bark so I can't stand listening to the sound of other people's doing it. Before I moved my neighbour had two yappy things who did it constantly, plus squeaky toys and it drove me nuts.

I'm not sure how often yours are barking but are you sure you're not underestimating the amount they're doing it?

If they get walks, do they absolutely need to go in the garden for anything other than a quick late night wee?
 
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I know people are saying that under 5mins isnt excessive but even a minute is a long time to have to hear incessant barking. Yes dogs will bark but there is no need for it to go beyond a few seconds.

If you dont believe a minute or two is a long time try planking! Ha ha

Maybe it's the people with dogs that shouldn't be in suburban and residential areas and they should be in the middle of nowhere. If you dont like dogs or want to listen to them then you dont own them; you shouldn't then make lifestyle changes to suit those that do. That's a ludicrous suggestion ?
 
meleeka said:
If someone is offended by a few seconds of barking they should probably move to the country in the middle of nowhere.
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This is my unobtainable dream. Almost impossible to find and super expensive ie of most people's reach if you are ever lucky enough to find one.
 
Arzada said:
This is my unobtainable dream. Almost impossible to find and super expensive ie of most people's reach if you are ever lucky enough to find one.
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It’s what a lot of us would like but the reality is we have to live near each other and try to be good neighbours, or hopefully ! I do think a lot of people underestimate how annoying their pooches are.
 
Thanks all its good to see both sides. They aren't barking all day I work from home I'm here. Other than two hours with horses there is pretty much always someone around. I got to bed at 9 so the issue must be early mornings from what I can gather with the neighbours dog I'm assuming that has really annoyed her. She did mention in the garden through the day too but the council couldn't give me much information. They do get long walks but one is a puppy and I do let him in and out fairly frequently. It has totally stopped this week as I am only taking them out on the lead one by one. I don't want the neighbours upset I was just shocked that the council were involved and the letter was quite a worry for me. Two minutes of loud noise is seriously annoying I totally agree but that would be the longest it ever was at any point I am pretty proactive because I don't want to listen to it either.

I couldn't live next door to constant barking it would send me insane. I will move because I want to be able to use my garden. In the summer here its like sitting with everyone else the way the house are laid out. Screaming kids, dogs the lot so I crave that peace too. Hopefully with the fence up we can stop any further offence till we can move on.

I do appreciate everyone's thoughts - thank you.
 
TPO said:
Maybe it's the people with dogs that shouldn't be in suburban and residential areas and they should be in the middle of nowhere. If you dont like dogs or want to listen to them then you dont own them; you shouldn't then make lifestyle changes to suit those that do. That's a ludicrous suggestion ?
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It maybe ludicrous, but if normal dog behaviour (I agree more than a minute is excessive) is bothering somebody that much then a lifestyle change could be the only solution. People living in close proximity do make noise, not just dogs.
 
BoggyGirl said:
Thank you the man explained that and he was lovely. They haven't made a noise all week I've bent over backwards so they don't but its making my life miserable. I have noticed since (I am so paranoid) that many are barking. I would never want to upset anyone but I want to be able to live reasonably too. I have wanted to move for a long time to somewhere more remote this is a good shove.

Ironically this person has two dogs screaming kids and likes to have parties all night in the summer. I wouldn't have dreamed of calling about her so I guess mine must have been more annoying than I realised.
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No it's not that your dogs are especially annoying it is that your neighbour is one of those annoying 'entitled' people who thinks that she is the only important one in the world. it's fine for her to have noisy parties that disturb you but not for your dogs to make a noise. I would simply ignore her, except for making your fence more solid at the bottom, which I would have already done as a safety precaution..
 
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