Noisy neighbours and their barking dogs

rach_k

If you ever try to sell and the dogs really do bark constantly, any potential buyer is going to spot the problem anyway, whether it's a declared dispute or not.  Much better, I'd think, for you to go to the council, (hopefully) get it sorted and then be able to tell potential buyers that there was a dog barking issue but it's now sorted.

Woolsery

rach_k said:

If you ever try to sell and the dogs really do bark constantly, any potential buyer is going to spot the problem anyway, whether it's a declared dispute or not.  Much better, I'd think, for you to go to the council, (hopefully) get it sorted and then be able to tell potential buyers that there was a dog barking issue but it's now sorted.

And if you do managed to sort this using your council's EH dept, please do come back and tell everyone. A good news story on this subject is much needed here!

Titus_Wadd

We report construction noise via The Noise App which was suggested by Environmental Health at our local council.  It's usually used to establish a noise nuisance such as barking dogs.  We use it because the planning enforcement team had no process for monitoring noise in breach of a planning condition.  I can't remember but I think they invited us or authorised us to use the app; it's easy to record a 30 second clip on your mobile, add notes and it logs the time and location.  That should be and easy way to record a couple of clips at different times of the day.  I would warn that our council's starting position is to do nothing, so persevere.  Asking their advice isn't starting a dispute but if you get something done about the noise, you can declare a dispute that is resolved.  (fingers crossed)

sheramber

The owners may be so used to the barking they  ignore it.

I used to go to a training class  run by  a lady who had four collies who barked while other dogs were up training. One night they were barking lot and she turned to us and said 'will you keep your dogs quiet. I can't hear myself talk.'

Our dogs were quiet. The only ones barking were her dogs. 

When we informed her it was her dogs she just turned away and ignored it.

We used to say we would hate to live next door to her.

Phil4432

Barking dogs are unfortunately a growing infestation of the UK.  As dog ownership and the number of ignorant dog owners go up, we don't have the laws to ensure peace and quiet in our society.  The result is the Third World in the First World.

The barking dog owner is usually of the anti social type, which is why they choose to disturb other people with animals.
So remain as anonymous as you can with your complaints.

Their barking rats are far more important, then your right to peace and quiet.  I once spoke to the parent of a newborn baby.  They'd politely asked the neighbour to restrict their dog barking at night, as the baby couldn't sleep.  The barking dog owner didn't care.  Little poodle pumpkins barking, was a source of great joy for them.  Far more important than a sleeping baby.

The council may do something, but its going to be a very long process.

Those same laws that didn't give me peace and quiet, didn't give them peace and quiet either.  So, you could take a more direct route if you are so inclined.  Maybe give doggie some heavy metal to bark along to.    There's quite a few options if you wish to take this approach.  

It's better to remain as anonymous as you can though; keep letters polite, direct and anonymous.  The barking dog owner is usually very paranoid, as all bully's are.  Not knowing if the letter came from the sweet old lady opposite, or the heavyweight boxer down the street will get to them.

I don't advocate cruelty, but there have been stories of people losing sleep over a period of years and driven mad to the point of killing the barking dog.  I don't advocate this, but I can understand it.  Nastiest sound in the world.   

GDB2222

Phil4432 said:

Barking dogs are unfortunately a growing infestation of the UK.  As dog ownership and the number of ignorant dog owners go up, we don't have the laws to ensure peace and quiet in our society.  The result is the Third World in the First World.

The barking dog owner is usually of the anti social type, which is why they choose to disturb other people with animals.
So remain as anonymous as you can with your complaints.

Their barking rats are far more important, then your right to peace and quiet.  I once spoke to the parent of a newborn baby.  They'd politely asked the neighbour to restrict their dog barking at night, as the baby couldn't sleep.  The barking dog owner didn't care.  Little poodle pumpkins barking, was a source of great joy for them.  Far more important than a sleeping baby.

The council may do something, but its going to be a very long process.

Those same laws that didn't give me peace and quiet, didn't give them peace and quiet either.  So, you could take a more direct route if you are so inclined.  Maybe give doggie some heavy metal to bark along to.    There's quite a few options if you wish to take this approach.  

It's better to remain as anonymous as you can though; keep letters polite, direct and anonymous.  The barking dog owner is usually very paranoid, as all bully's are.  Not knowing if the letter came from the sweet old lady opposite, or the heavyweight boxer down the street will get to them.

I don't advocate cruelty, but there have been stories of people losing sleep over a period of years and driven mad to the point of killing the barking dog.  I don't advocate this, but I can understand it.  Nastiest sound in the world.   

The problem is that it's very, very difficult to stop a dog barking. 

Brie

Phil4432 said:
Nastiest sound in the world.   

I understand what you are saying but I'd say a nastier sound is when my brother's honking big doberman is whining behind the sofa as there are a pack of wolves/coyotes howling outside the house.  Granted this is not in the UK.  

RelievedSheff

GDB2222 said:

Phil4432 said:

Barking dogs are unfortunately a growing infestation of the UK.  As dog ownership and the number of ignorant dog owners go up, we don't have the laws to ensure peace and quiet in our society.  The result is the Third World in the First World.

The barking dog owner is usually of the anti social type, which is why they choose to disturb other people with animals.
So remain as anonymous as you can with your complaints.

Their barking rats are far more important, then your right to peace and quiet.  I once spoke to the parent of a newborn baby.  They'd politely asked the neighbour to restrict their dog barking at night, as the baby couldn't sleep.  The barking dog owner didn't care.  Little poodle pumpkins barking, was a source of great joy for them.  Far more important than a sleeping baby.

The council may do something, but its going to be a very long process.

Those same laws that didn't give me peace and quiet, didn't give them peace and quiet either.  So, you could take a more direct route if you are so inclined.  Maybe give doggie some heavy metal to bark along to.    There's quite a few options if you wish to take this approach.  

It's better to remain as anonymous as you can though; keep letters polite, direct and anonymous.  The barking dog owner is usually very paranoid, as all bully's are.  Not knowing if the letter came from the sweet old lady opposite, or the heavyweight boxer down the street will get to them.

I don't advocate cruelty, but there have been stories of people losing sleep over a period of years and driven mad to the point of killing the barking dog.  I don't advocate this, but I can understand it.  Nastiest sound in the world.   

The problem is that it's very, very difficult to stop a dog barking. 

Is it really?

Our dog will bark if someone approaches our property, which is partly his job. But he does not just randomly bark throughout the day. We have taught him that he can not do that and that there are consequences to barking.

Phil4432

GDB2222 said:

Phil4432 said:

Barking dogs are unfortunately a growing infestation of the UK.  As dog ownership and the number of ignorant dog owners go up, we don't have the laws to ensure peace and quiet in our society.  The result is the Third World in the First World.

The barking dog owner is usually of the anti social type, which is why they choose to disturb other people with animals.
So remain as anonymous as you can with your complaints.

Their barking rats are far more important, then your right to peace and quiet.  I once spoke to the parent of a newborn baby.  They'd politely asked the neighbour to restrict their dog barking at night, as the baby couldn't sleep.  The barking dog owner didn't care.  Little poodle pumpkins barking, was a source of great joy for them.  Far more important than a sleeping baby.

The council may do something, but its going to be a very long process.

Those same laws that didn't give me peace and quiet, didn't give them peace and quiet either.  So, you could take a more direct route if you are so inclined.  Maybe give doggie some heavy metal to bark along to.    There's quite a few options if you wish to take this approach.  

It's better to remain as anonymous as you can though; keep letters polite, direct and anonymous.  The barking dog owner is usually very paranoid, as all bully's are.  Not knowing if the letter came from the sweet old lady opposite, or the heavyweight boxer down the street will get to them.

I don't advocate cruelty, but there have been stories of people losing sleep over a period of years and driven mad to the point of killing the barking dog.  I don't advocate this, but I can understand it.  Nastiest sound in the world.   

The problem is that it's very, very difficult to stop a dog barking. 

Not really, I have neighbors who simply train their dogs.

Lizmoretti

rach_k said:

If you ever try to sell and the dogs really do bark constantly, any potential buyer is going to spot the problem anyway, whether it's a declared dispute or not.  Much better, I'd think, for you to go to the council, (hopefully) get it sorted and then be able to tell potential buyers that there was a dog barking issue but it's now sorted.

This is very true.  Any visitor to our house comments on it and when we have friends over, we sit inside as we’re unable to enjoy the garden.

The couple split-up several months ago and the husband no longer lives there, so we’re assuming (hoping) they will soon be moving, but they’re in a planning dispute having built on their property without permission which I think is holding-up the process.