Dog barking

Catapillerry

Hello all,

Constructive feedback welcome!

About 4 years ago, my neighbours bought a German Shepherd. We've been neighbours for many years and have had a good relationship. To set the scene, we live in 1940's semi detached, with the driveways between the houses.
About that same time, we had a baby - you can see the mismatch already (note we've all got older kids who played football in the back, free to cross the gardens for each others footballs, toys, etc)
Since that time, our relationship has gone downhill completely. The dog is not a constant barker, but will bark very loudly at squirrels for a few minutes, or whine if left outside, etc - so that has caused a few issues for us.

In summer it's particularly difficult - it can bark if you're out in the garden, and I mean very loudly when I say that, it'll bark at 8.30pm, and when the windows are open, immediately wake the youngest up. I sometimes work from home, and I've had clients asking on the phone if I live in a kennel - it's really very loud with the windows open, but bearable with them closed. When they get up at 6.30 in the morning (weekends too) it'll bark (they let it out to use the toilet) - which isn't a ridiculous time, but it immediately wakes my youngest up, so 6.30 is my wake up time, weekends and all.

My child is a decent sleeper, but as his room is overlooking the garden and at the rear corner of the house, any barking sounds like it's in the room with him - it can literally light up the baby listener for a good minute or two.

I've spoken with them to the point that there is nothing else to say - I've always been polite and the only time it's got heated was at their side when their teenager started swearing at me. It's a shame that a good relationship has been lost.

Eventually I contacted the council, and they took it up for me, agreeing from the logs they asked me to keep that it seemed excessive. The next step was them putting noise equipment in to monitor it. They sent next door a letter, and he came round and went crazy - threatening with counter action (I presumed he'd spoken with someone about it and they said if he gets accused and it's another dog, for eg, he had a good case) It's worth noting that my adjoined neighbours have a dog, which barks, but I kind of get that it does at the postman, etc, and it's not really an issue. He almost took it that I was trying to drive him out - which I'm not, they were friends.

It's obviously winter now, and with windows shut, and the dog in the house more, it's less impacting, so I've not yet authorised the council to do anything.

The dog doesn't bark in the middle of the night, and doesn't constantly bark all day, so I know of people who have it far, far worse.

What are your views? DO I have to put up and shut up now, and consider this something that has to be tolerated?

P.S - he's got another German Shepherd now too, so that's how much he's bothered about it!

PasturesNew

Only you know how it all looks from the dog's perspective .... but the barking could be reduced in some environments by them drilling small holes through their fencing. Many dogs will bark if they can hear noises/people but can't SEE what's going on. When dogs can see what's passing/going on they're not bothered by it. A few holes of about 2" drilled, so he can peer through, might be of some help to some people.

Doozergirl

Perhaps move your children’s bedrooms around?

I have no idea if it’s excessive but if that room is most affected, then it probably makes sense to move a young child, who isn’t capable of settling themselves, to a different room.

I’m not sure what the solution is next door. Presumably the council make their own decision and convince the neighbour to measure it, but dogs do bark and there are lots around, so it’s not as if the dog will simply be removed. You’re going to have to make some adaptations yourselves. Secondary glazing?

another_casualty

A difficult situation all round . Sorry to hear that you’ve fallen out with the neighbours . Devils advocate : A bawling baby is worse ( for me;) than a dog . Sorry to say .
Pastures new suggested a whole in the fence . Not a bad idea imho.
If you never had any problems with the neighbours I would’ve encouraged any of your family to say hello to the dog when you’re in the garden etc as the dog will get to know all of you and your patterns and things would be easier.
There is a house I walk past ( on a corner ) and I think it’s 3 dogs barking. I say hello . I can see one wagging its tail,through he bushes sometimes. They’re not always outside so I can tell the owners look after them.

Doozer girl made good points also.
I feel sorry for your situation as the baby is probably afraid of the dogs barking . I honestly don’t know what else to suggest short of moving . If you’re a homeowner then you have a dispute to declare should you sell.
I feel for the dog . It doesn’t sound like it’s on its own all day. That is cruelty .
If there was a way of yourself and the neighbout making up then things would be easier. Doesn’t sound like it’ll happen though.

Sorry if I’ve said the wrong thing , but I hope your situation eventually improves .

Catapillerry

Appreciate the comments.
I'm obviously half in the "put up with it" camp because I've kept calm and constructive the whole time.
Just to be clear, the dog barks at squirrels, not us, and the youngest is a good sleeper, but the noise is extremely loud.

I think the council can remove the dog, but again, I don't want that to happen in the slightest, which is why I'm asking.

It seems a shame that I should consider moving because someone has a dog - not the dog's fault I know.

When I have seen them around I have made a fuss of the dog - non of us are scared of it, it's purely volume. As I say, imagine a baby listener with all the lights lit up every time it barks - that's how loud it is.
Not only the child though - it's a shame that I can't go into my own garden when on the phone...Should other people's choices be able to affect your life that much? Maybe now too many people have dogs that is the way of things and I'm just going to have to suck it up!

another_casualty

I may as well tell you of a situation I had put upon me , must be about 12 years ago now.
I used to live in a purpose built 1960s maisonette. I was upstairs.
My brothers boss got divorced ( wife threw him out unexpectedly) , so I thought of being there for him . So , I put him up ..with a barking dog! The dog was an ex rescue dog , and not only barked at squirrels, but also animal noises on t v .Oh, and if you say the wor cat, it barked loudly in excitement then.Did I mention the doorbell?? I was trying my hardest to keep quiet and did an incredibly good job keeping noise to a minimum .
That lasted for approx a year and a half .
I was the only person in a small close with a dog. Since then there were a couple of others with dogs before I moved.
Sorry about that. I’ve got an absorbent mind .
Wishing you the best outcome .

Catapillerry

another_casualty wrote: »

I may as well tell you of a situation I had put upon me , must be about 12 years ago now.
I used to live in a purpose built 1960s maisonette. I was upstairs.
My brothers boss got divorced ( wife threw him out unexpectedly) , so I thought of being there for him . So , I put him up ..with a barking dog! The dog was an ex rescue dog , and not only barked at squirrels, but also animal noises on t v .Oh, and if you say the wor cat, it barked loudly in excitement then.Did I mention the doorbell?? I was trying my hardest to keep quiet and did an incredibly good job keeping noise to a minimum .
That lasted for approx a year and a half .
I was the only person in a small close with a dog. Since then there were a couple of others with dogs before I moved.
Sorry about that. I’ve got an absorbent mind .
Wishing you the best outcome .

"absorbent mind"! I've never heard that one before, but It makes sense!

teneighty

Sounds like the neighbour is not going to take steps to train the dog unless they are forced too, removal of the dog would be a last resort and would be a terrible shame.

I have a couple of friends with GSD's and they can be very vocal and loud (the dogs not the friends) but with training it can be controlled and reduced, if not totally eliminated.

Anything from correcting the dog every time it barks at the squirrels etc. to maybe having a bark collar. My dog will bark briefly at visitors or strange noises and helicopters bizarrely, but if it goes on for more than a few seconds I will tell him to shut up. My new neighbours told me how relieved they were when on their first day they heard the dog bark in the garden but immediately heard me stop it as they were worried I might be the sort of neighbour who would ignore the dog and just let it carry on barking.

Might be worth posting in the pets section for more advice.

Catapillerry

teneighty wrote: »

My dog will bark briefly at visitors or strange noises and helicopters bizarrely, but if it goes on for more than a few seconds I will tell him to shut up. My new neighbours told me how relieved they were when on their first day they heard the dog bark in the garden but immediately heard me stop it as they were worried I might be the sort of neighbour who would ignore the dog and just let it carry on barking.
.

Exactly this. The adjoining people have a dog that also barks, but it's controlled so well, so it'll bark at the postman (understandable) then they tell it to shut up.
It even barks at my son when he's in the garden, but within seconds they move it away from the situation, so it's just not a big issue.

sevenhills

Catapillerry wrote: »

Exactly this. The adjoining people have a dog that also barks, but it's controlled so well, so it'll bark at the postman (understandable) then they tell it to shut up.
It even barks at my son when he's in the garden, but within seconds they move it away from the situation, so it's just not a big issue.

My border collie will sometimes bark at random, when I am asleep, because she has caught the scent of a fox.
She doesn't do it all the time, I do wonder what my adjoining neighbours think.

The bond between owner and dog can be very strong, the dogs are not going anywhere. Maybe you could offer to pay for a trainer to visit?

missile

Catapillerry wrote: »

.... I think the council can remove the dog, but again, I don't want that to happen ...

You are too considerate :A IMHO, anyone who cannot control their dog should not be permitted to keep one.