Constant barking dog!

Biker_James

I've recently moved into a new house and been driven to distraction by next doors dog that constantly barks. I'm a shift worker and work 10 hours shifts, covering both days and nights.

My neighbour has a large dog that barks excessively, even when a car drives past the house. The dog is locked in the house, its been left for over 12 hours on some days, even on a day like today, beautiful, warm and sunny, the dog is locked indoors. Its not just the dog barking, it howls as well, and is extremely stressed out at being left alone for long periods of time.

I have been to see the owner before about the barking and howling and letting her know that the dog is extremely stressed when she leaves it alone. I even suggested taking the dog out for walks if I'm off duty, she declined, but her answer is "what am I supposed to do?".

I've had dogs as a child and it saddens me greatly that she leaves her dog, knowing how distressed it is.

Please help, I'm at my wits end, need sleep and won't sit back and watch the animal suffer any longer. Is this a Police, ASBO, Council, or RSPCA issue/concern?

pmlindyloo

Biker_James wrote: »

I've recently moved into a new house and been driven to distraction by next doors dog that constantly barks. I'm a shift worker and work 10 hours shifts, covering both days and nights.

My neighbour has a large dog that barks excessively, even when a car drives past the house. The dog is locked in the house, its been left for over 12 hours on some days, even on a day like today, beautiful, warm and sunny, the dog is locked indoors. Its not just the dog barking, it howls as well, and is extremely stressed out at being left alone for long periods of time.

I have been to see the owner before about the barking and howling and letting her know that the dog is extremely stressed when she leaves it alone. I even suggested taking the dog out for walks if I'm off duty, she declined, but her answer is "what am I supposed to do?".

I've had dogs as a child and it saddens me greatly that she leaves her dog, knowing how distressed it is.

Please help, I'm at my wits end, need sleep and won't sit back and watch the animal suffer any longer. Is this a Police, ASBO, Council, or RSPCA issue/concern?

You may want to visit, express your concern again and print off this:

http://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/faq/-/question/ENQCADStoppingYourDogBarking

The RSPCA are unlikely to do much unless the dog is being neglected in other ways.

If this doesn't work then the Environmental Health officer at your local council are the people to contact. (be warned they are not always helpful and often require weeks of diary keeping but worth trying)

Is your neighbour a house owner or tenant? Could try contacting the landlord if things don't improve.

Try to settle this amicably. Things like this often spiral out of control.

Vectis

You can go to the Council about it but, as said above, you'll have to keep a retailed record and, even then, nothing may happen. It'll take months anyway.

We've had this same problem with neighbours previously. The only solution is to keep nagging the owner until, finally, something might get done e.g. the owner arranging a pet sitter, or leaving the dog with someone else during the day (a relative maybe). I think there might also be dog training classes where they 'educate' the dog not to bark or rip up the house when the owner is away - you could suggest this to the owner. I do feel for you though, I know what it's like.

Is the dog left alone in the house, or is it loose in the garden?

Biker_James

thanks guys for your posts, some very interesting food for thought. Neighbours house is owned and I more than anyone, don't want this spiralling out of control. They leave the dog locked in the lounge all the time, she said the dog would destroy the rest of the house, if she left it in any other room. My only saving grace is that she doesn't leave it in her bedroom during the day, or I'd never sleep!

I would suspect that she won't leave it in the garden as it would constantly bark out there too, thus leaving many neighbours exposed to the barking dog, and resulting in many complaints from many neighbours!

Looks like a diary is in order, along with a tape recorder. No one will believe me when I say the howling is bad, I mean its really bad!.

Biker_James

On reading further, I might actually print off the RSPCA guide and post it through their door!