Barking dog next door

cleggie

Hi all, not sure where to post this, so it may be moved.

I live in a housing association house and have a courtyard that i share with my neighbour. Me and my neighbour have (up until recently- for reasons that will become apparent) always got on well. We are not best buddies or anything, we just say hello to each other etc.

3 months ago, she got a dog. THIS is when the probs started, as he barked A LOT, and stood outside my backdoor barking, wee'd all over the stuff in the courtyard (my kids toys, my garden furniture etc) and it STINKS very very bad. He was also barking and waking the kids up at night, or they were unable to get to sleep.

So, i spoke to my neighbour about this. She was very upset that i felt so annoyed by the dog but admitted that she had been considering rehoming the dog as certain things were proving too much for her to look after the dog.

So, on Saturday she gave the dog to a friend of a friend who lives down the road. I cannot lie, i was very relived that the dog had gone, and have spent all day today clearing up the courtyard and washing all my stuff that was out there (Kids toys, garden stuff etc).
So, all was great, until about an hour ago when she posted a letter through my door saying that she has told the new owner that if things dont work out with the dog, that she will have him back here. Part of me thinks that she was just trying to say that she has asked for the dog to return here.

I have decided that i CANT put up with it anymore if the dog returns here, but with any further action i do take it will be obvious that i am the one behind it. My neighbour is very well known and popular in this small area and i can imagine my life will be made difficult when i end making complaints about the dog.

Does anyone have any advice?

Caroline_a

I would suggest to her that if she gets the dog back she will need to spend time socialising, training and walking the dog so that he won't have to be left outside to bark as if he does then it won't just be you complaining. Also has she had the dog vaccinated, wormed and deflea'd as you could end up with a courtyard that is flea and worm infested, and the dog could additionally end up with a potentially fatal disease too.

I would be very concerned that someone has only kept a dog for 3 months before giving up on it. It does sound as if she isn't able to deal with the needs that a young dog has to make it an indispensable companion to a family.

cleggie

Hi Caroline, thanks for the reply.

She wont spend time socilaising, training or walking the dog, as she is agoraphobic so wont leave the house (although admittadly she did a few times a week for a while to walk him for 10 mins).
She didnt ever take it to the vets (again, because of the agoraphobia) so my cat is now infested with fleas as a rsult, and also weeing all over my house as she is terrified

I just want to cry!

Tropez

Many people have reported success in solving chronic barking problems with anti-bark collars. Originally these took the form of the rather cruel electric shock collar form but nowadays you can get ones that release a burst of citronella which is completely harmless to the dog but dogs don't care much for it and if it is being released every time they bark they usually learn fairly quickly to shut up.

Of course, such collars should only be used as a last resort for a dog that does have a real problem as it is more beneficial, both for the dog and the owner, to get to the root of the cause for the dogs barking.

However, in this instance, I'd wager the dog is barking because it is bored. I feel sorry for people with conditions such as agoraphobia but if you're barely able to take your dog for a walk then you shouldn't have a dog. Similarly, if this dog has never been to the vets, has it been vaccinated? I'd be very concerned about that.

If the dog were to come back then you should make her try to see sense. Could she not hire a dog walker? Would she be able to hire a dog behaviourist?

If she can't see sense, I'd report it. My personal and my families welfare would come before the thoughts of a bunch of cliquey folk from town.

gettingready

Is there any way to separate the courtyard? Why is it "shared"? Is it meant to be shared or could you put up a fence there to divide?

If it is a HA property - has she got permission to keep a dog in her house?

From what you descrivbe, the dog will be better off somewhere else anyway, she does not seem to be capable of looking after the poor thing and is making his (dog's) and yoru life a misery...

Caroline_a

Another poor dog heading for a rescue society through no fault of its own, due to a stupid owner :mad::mad::mad::mad:

ladymarmalade1970

Not being harsh but if she is agrophobic there is NO way she should have a dog. It's not fair on the dog and it will cause issues as the dog will be bored. Really hope the person she has rehomed it with can work with it and sort it out so it has the life it deserves. Not being stuck in a house with a courtyard garden where everyone hates it because its a nuisance. :-(

Loobeylou

Can anyone please help? Our neighbour has a dog which spends a great deal of time in the conservatory, both during the day and at night. Think glass house when considering noise nuisance!

Occasionally the dog will start barking in the middle of the night, and once it has started it goes on and on, and on. The last occasion was around 2.30am for almost an hour. The householder seems to either not hear it, or not care. This can also happen during the day, and the dog will start if it spots us through the dividing hedge in our garden.

We have complained to our neighbours previously regarding noise, but from past experience we know that they take absolutely no notice.

So, does anyone know of an ultrasonic deterent which will work through glass. The reviews of the ones I have viewed on the Internet have been somewhat hit and miss, and the battery life extremely poor.

If possible, I would prefer recommendations only from those who have actually tried/purchased such a device for a similar situation.

viktory

The dog is barking for a reason; a deterrant is not the answer. If your neighbours are unconcerned consider reporting it to your local council. Must be driving you mad.

Loobeylou

viktory wrote: »

The dog is barking for a reason; a deterrant is not the answer. If your neighbours are unconcerned consider reporting it to your local council. Must be driving you mad.

To be honest, we have looked out of the window and there is nothing untoward outside. Something may have set it off, but there is no reason as to why it should go on for so long.

Yes - its driving us bonkers! When it eventually stops you almost hold your breath hoping it won't start up again, which frequently happens. Then when it does stop it is almost impossible to get back to sleep!