Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Hi folks

Got a problem with our neighbours which is a really getting me down. They are elderly and one of them is in hospital which we only found out about last week. Well, their dog had been barking constantly every night for a few hours at a time so I went round to speak to them about it because it is driving me mad and he told me that his wife was in hospital and that was when visiting times were. Fair enough. I'm trying to be sympathetic about the situation but it has been going on for 4 weeks now, every single night, and is likely to carry on for the next few weeks for sure. Last night it was barking again for 4.5 hours till 8.30pm, so my husband went round this time. Got the same story - yeah we know it barks but we don't know what to do about it. Great.

Right, so what can we do in this situation? We've tried being nice about it, and got nowhere. It's got to the point where I dread going home because I know it will be barking and it's so loud you can't ignore it. The neighbours that aren't attached to them (they're semi-detatched houses and our house is attached to theirs) are being driven mad by it as well and have had words with them too. We've said to them now that if they won't do anything then we will have to contact the council or RSPCA to do something, but we don't really want to do this in case it ****es them off and they make life even more unpleasant for us.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Cheers

Amanda

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

IIRC this is something for the Environmental Health Inspectors. They should have an audible measuring device to see if its loud enough to warrant action.
Is this is becoming regular then the officer can witness this him/herself.

I think you can get a contact via the Council or Police.

HTH, you have my sympathies as I experienced this with an old neighbour.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

My sympathies, I had the same trouble with my neighbour. It was only solved when my neighbour moved out taking the dog with her. I spoke to her a few times about it but she would always go out and leave the dog by itself all day and the dog didnt like it so it barked all the time. Not the dogs fault.

Try the RSPCA but I suspect it'll take them ages to do something about it if anythign at all. I think Jabba might now about this kind of thing because of his job, Might be worth a PM ?

I know somebody who could help but I believe he's out of the country at the moment ;) :D

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Amanda

Been there done that ! Firstly play fair - go around and say politely. "Look its been four weeks now and the noise is too much - if you will not take steps I will have to call the council's dog warden". That way you have informed them of your intentions and its something most councils recomend - next wait say three days (and in this time find the dog warden's telephone number at the council and also visit your neighbours). If nothing changes step up a gear -

Phone the dog warden and let them know the situation - there is a relatively new act regarding environmental pollution (its covers noise and lights too).
At the same time speak to all your neighbours that are affected and ask them to write indiviually to the dog warden to state their issue (ask the dog warden what would be an effective form of words so he/she can act on it) also don't bother with a petition. Most people don't realise that a petition only counts as one compliant - better to have lots of individual letters, far more impact.

Almost finally, be prepared for the long run: We got our neighbours using the council's recording microphone system (they had denied any noise !!!! Cheeky bar stewards) and they had to move their dogs. One year later it has started up again - this time we will be going in hard with three neighbours lined up to really make sure they know they are a pain to the neighbourhood (not just us).

and finally stay calm (I know this sound stupid from where you are right now) but you are in the right - the council have a duty to investigate as this is noise pollution and affects your environment. Most dog wardens work to find a resolution that solves the problem without bringing the neighbours into further conflict - sometimes just the dog warden turning up on there dorr "for a chat" gives people the kick up the pants they need.

Perserve with this route (or the one recomended by the dog warden when you contact them) and you will have it sorted.

Regards, Graham

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Amanda

Firstly you need to stay on good terms with your neighbours. They and their dog after all will be the ones who unknowingly keep an eye on your house/property when you/Steve are out.

As you know I am a dog owner. Mine does bark. but only when there is somebody in the area. Never out of bordom, for attention etc.

Talk to your local dog warden. They can work with your neighbours to analyse why the dog barks and advise how to correct its behavoir etc.

I hope they are simply not dumping it in the back garden etc whenever they go out. I suppose Jabba is the man who can give you best info as to what your rights are with regard to a noise nuisance. give him a PM to wake him up

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

I don't know the exact situation, but the dog is barking because it is on it's own while the hubby is visiting his missus, right?

You could do the neighbourly thing and offer to look after the dog while he is out? The dog is now quiet and the old guy is very grateful.

Just a thought.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Ask them to maybe leave the radio on (quietly). I know it has helped my dog and also my parents dog. It just kind of fools them, sometimes, into thinking that someone was in.

If they are elderly people, it may be the first time the dog has been left alone for any length of time and is probably very upset and nervous.

I know this doesnt help with being disturbed by the noise, but even with some dog training from the dog warden the problem wont dissappear overnight.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

We were suffering from this too. My neighbour has 2 young kids & her husband is a long distance lorry driver, he's often away for weeks at a time.

His idea ?? Buy the Mrs a dog to keep her company.... Great, but when is she going to get the time to exercise a Staffy ???

We are on very good terms with them and she apologised even before we complained. We solved the problem... (no, I didn't shoot the dog :D). As I need more exercise I take the dog for a walk most evenings. Maybe not the answer to your problem, but it does ahow how you can work with people to solve your differences....

.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Thanks for your advice everyone.

Luckypants - Yeah, the dog is on it's own whilst he goes to visit her. The dog hates everyone apart from it's owner on sight and pretty much attacks anyone who even tries to speak to him. They have to lock it in a back room to stop it going for people if we go round, so there is no way we would look after it in case it attacked us. I think that is why no-one else will look after it either. We have an old cat too and we don't want him upset by the dog, so it's not an option.

As for leaving the radio on, they leave the TV on which makes no difference at all to it's barking. They left the TV on so loud once that we couldn't hear ours over it plus the dog barking, but that's another story... Fizz, we have explored that option but I don't want to get into trouble :mrgreen: Tim, they leave it in the house when they are out, if they left it in the garden it would be the entire street getting annoyed, not just a few houses ;) Maybe that would be better...

Cheers again everyone, I will see how it goes and contact the dog warden if it continues. I'll give it a couple more days in the hope he sorts something out for it, because it's not fair on the dog as well as us neighbours.

Amanda

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Presuming Amanda M likes dogs, I think this is a great solution :) ... As it is a hospital stay, this isn't indefinite (we hope ;)).

Or suggest that neighbour takes dog in car during hospital visit.

If all else fails, a bullet (or arrow) in the back of head should do it!! :smt063 :D

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

At the moment I'm more inclined to use the arrow suggestion or abullet ;):smt066 The neighbour doesn't drive so he can't take it with him](*,) I do like dogs, but not this one because of it's hatred of people that aren't it's owner :( I wouldn't go near to this one without at least a solid door between me and it in case it attacked.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Amanda check with council and have a word with the ASB teams/Noise nusiance team/dog warden. Noise may not be able to do a lot as there powers seem to be noise caused by asb (normall 11pm-7am but then again thats scotland) The ASB should also be able to offer mediation services (if the council are worth their jot and care about ASB) which may be a more softer softer approach and will also highlight the fact the dog is not the best behaved in the world which is probably 90% of the cause. This sd then lead to DW suggesting behavioural classes to alleviate the problem. ASBO's have been issued against dog owners and i know you don't want to go down that route but this can be a good leverage tool. (besides the dog should not be going for anyone and this must be sorted as then could be classed as a dangerous dog)
Keep on at the council seems to be the best option and see what they have available to you.

PS also remember that England legislation differ from ours so some options may not be available to you.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Joking aside please bear in mind it's not the dogs fault (per-say) ... its just doing what dogs do if they feel they have been left ... chances are its soft as **** and a nice dog ... most are ...

I'd at least offer it as a suggestion ... as long as you are introduced to the dog whilst owner is around, you will get an indication of if it is going to be aggressive or not ... as long as they don’t feel you are threatening them or their owner, its more likely to lick you to death than bite you ;)

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

I'd never do anything to hurt an animal, honestly, but this dog is awful. I try to speak to it's owner in the street or at their house and it's impossible because the dog is lunging and barking. I'm **** scared of it and I like dogs. I would not trust it to get close enough to see if it would 'lick me to death':o

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

A dog has to be trained to be purposefully vicious.

We had a similar problem with our neighbours when we first moved in. Their alsation would bark like mad whenever we went in our back garden (it was kept in their backgarden, in it's own shed).

My solution to the problem was to have a trip down to the local pet shop, and butchers. First few times whenever anyone went out in our back garden, they were under strict instructions to throw a treat over for the dog (we consulted with the neighbours before going gung ho!). Then over time, gradually reduced the treats, but purposefully went over to talk to the dog.

Now we're at a point where the dog will jump up at the wall to poke it's nose over to see us. If it sees someone it doesn't know with us in our back garden, it'll bark (and it can easily jump the wall too!) but we just tell her to quiet down, and she does.

Kind of built up a friendship by way of treats. It wasn't the cheapest option granted, but the dog was just looking out for it's own property at first. Doing what dogs do. Now she looks after ours too, and we don't mind her being in our back garden if she wants to be, just the same as we'll take her for a walk if she shows she wants a walk & the neighbours can't for any reason.

Maybe you could do something similar Amanda, but granted it'd be difficult whilst the dog is kept inside. Maybe suggest to the neighbours to chain it in the back garden (in nice weather only)?

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Cheers Baph. They don't let it out on it's own in the back garden because of the barking issue so there'd be no chance to do that. good suggestion though. It's just awful at the moment and I don't want to pee them off because we get on. It's just 4 weeks of it barking is starting to get to me a bit. I'll see how it goes, hopefully he'll sort something out for it.

cheers

Amanda

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Er, no they don't. Dogs have distinct personalities too - and some are just *******s (or over zealous protectors - take your pick).

Training merely builds on or corrects a dog's individual tendencies, for good or bad.

There are routes to correcting the dogs behaviour first - talking to a vet about intensive training or behavioural correction... BUT...

... it's the owner's responsibility to react to people's comments about their dog and the nuisance it is causing others. Are they really the lengths an old couple would be prepared to go to for, what apparently seems to be a new and possibly temporary, barking issue? Probably not.
However, finding out about them and presenting them with the information can't go amiss. At least you've given them a solution that they can then choose to ignore...

... which if they do, it's off to the Council Amanda - some electronic phone beeping thing will eventually get you to the right person to speak to. ;)

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Not sure how to do it but get it sorted asap.

I had a noisy neighbour and tried to tolerate it. By the time I tried to sort it out they couldnt see the problem because I had been there for so long without moaning.

How about throwing dog biscuits at it?

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

I'd be tempted to ask the neighbours their opinion of doing something similar to what I said anyhow.

Yes, the barking would be terrible at first when it was tied in the back garden, but with the help of you & their other neighbour, this would (IMO) reduce over time. If I'm wrong, after a trial period, the dog could be locked back in the house again. If other people on the street complain about the noise, they only even know about it because you're trying to resolve the situation, so the RSPCA etc would be appreciative that you're trying.

Once the dog gets used to the fact it's outside, doesn't get ignored & there are kind people around, it'd probably settle down a little. The dog would also be tied up so you could throw treats from a safe distance.

Of course, the neighbours could say no to it all. But you don't get if you don't ask, and it's a solution that if works, will only serve to strengthen your bond with your neighbours because you're both putting effort in to solve the problem.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

I had to laugh at the throw dog biscuits at it comment :p

K, it's not a new problem, they've been made aware of it's barking a number of times but it's been less of a problem in the past because they haven't had to go out and leave it on a regular basis. It's driving us mad now because it's every day and not just for a short while, and the bloody thing just doesn't shut up which would try even the most patient of people's nerves ;)

It will get sorted, one way or another, hopefully without me going insane or the council/RSPCA getting involved :mad:

Cheers

Amanda

PS, sorry for ranting on about this everyone, but it's really getting to me and you're all ace at giving me some suggestions.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Cheers Baph, I'll certainly have a word with them about doing something like that. Anything is worth a try! I think it's just lonely, but I would have thought it'd have got used to being in on it's own by now and calmed down some, but it hasn't.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Ah, I understand now - I thought it had only started since one owner had gone into hospital, rather than that exacerbating an existing situation.
Have you tried your vet? (Not for euthinasia ;)) They may have contact details for a dog trainer who specifies in situations like these.
Just so you have the information to hand to pass on.


As for ranting here and it driving you up the wall... don't forget, an effective technique for torture is constant and repetitive noise. :( Rant away.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Another thought for you too Amanda.

If something like I've said is tried, when the time comes for you to get a little closer to the dog, there's some things to bare in mind.

If you're going to be on the "dogs property" (as the dog sees it), make sure you only go there with the owner, but it's probably best avoided for a long time anyway!

If you want to get closer to the dog to stroke etc (more attention == quieter dog), it's probably far better that the dog is restrained somewhere a little closer to the border seperating houses. That way, the dog stays on it's own property, you stay on yours, and the pair of you can build confidence in each other slowly, without over stepping the mark.

Also, until the dog is REALLY REALLY friendly with you, always have a treat in hand/pocket, but that doesn't mean you always have to give the treat ;)

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

you need to check to see if the dog is barking for no reason or if there are ppl around making noises. dogs constantly being locked in a small yard can develop into barking without reason, otherwise, there are always a reason for a dog to bark (eg. drunk idiot walking past).
Also, if the dog is being left outside in its own dog house during nights, suggest owner to lock the dog in its dog house (providing it is big enough) so the dog knows the difference between day and night.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

gotta say I really enjoyed this thread.

It's given me ideas for my neighbors' dogs -- here in Dublin there really is no recourse for noisy dogs. At least you guys have "noise pollution" laws and so forth.

I'm surrounded by Westies and they bark at: 1) the cats which use shared walls to traverse the neighborhood; 2) anyone walking outside down the street; 3) any noise in my back garden; 4) my motorbikes. I've owned dogs, and I think I understand them pretty well. These dogs haven't been socialized and don't get enough exercise -- yes, just like their owners :).

I've spoken w/the neighbors, with whom I get on with. I get on well w/the dogs too. They (the neighbors) understand, but really don't have good solutions either.

I'll try the dog treats, and taking their dogs for walks seems like a really good idea.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Ridelikeaturtle, in all 4 cases you mention, the dogs are just doing what dogs do.

Treats won't do much except make your problem worse. The walking though, is a good idea.

Get the dogs seriously tired out, and they wont have the energy to be chasing cats they know they can't reach!

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Here is another idea – my dad trained his dog (who is a lovely dog, but used to growl etc at other dogs on walks) … it’s a non harmful remote controlled device (read blurb).

http://www.aardvarkpets.co.uk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=92

Its not cheap, but very VERY effective … and if you are (understandably) really getting to your whits end it might be worth considering?? £160 (that was a random google rarther than the cheapest) is not a lot to pay for less stress ;) Its using the stick rather than the sweet, but if the dog is beyond reach (inside) the remote control could be a way of training it.

My dads dog now is at the stage where my dad rarely sprays it … he just puts the collar on before every ‘social’ walk and the dog is well behaved … :)

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

In my spain we know world over for being very nice peoples for animals. My friend Paco he say for this noisely barky dog thing, little kick in "los huevos" make end of barking. Doggy be your big time friend for ever after dis.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Hiya,

It's a really quiet street (apart from the dog barking ;) ) and hardly anyone goes past, so it is barking at nothing. Yesterday they had it locked in the upstairs bedroom window so there wasn't anyone or anything to bark at!

That remote control thingy could be suggested to them. Then give the remote to me to shut the thing up [-o< As for constant noises being an effective torture - I couldn't agree more. I was really upset about it all last night after 4.5 hours of it...

I'll have a search on this internet thing to see if there are any help forums for training dogs that I can pass onto the owners. I can't see them wanting to spend any money sorting the problem out so all the tips everyone's given me have been brilliant.

Thanks again everyone for your help


:grouphug:

Amanda

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

there are also devices that emitts an altrasonic sound (human can hardly hear it) whenever it detects dog bark. It usually startles them and stops them from barking.. however, very small number of people have ear sensitive enough to also hear it which wouldn't be too fair on them.
dog barking devices ranging from electronic shock and citrius spray attached on a collar to devices that i've mentioned.

if there's only one dog, go for the auto electronic shock device with sensitivity setting. Don't do that if there are more than one dog.. because they will tear it off each other...

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Lol... tell him to bring it over to mine... Lupo will sort it out ;)

Good luck in finding a solution, sounds to me if it is aggressive towards people and barking out of bordom and lonelyness it is a really badly trained dog... it needs stimulation tell him to buy a kong and fill it with tuna and put it in the freezer and give it to the dog when he goes out and when he gets home again pick out the remaining bits of tuna and give it to the dog.... sounds like the dog has them under the paw :p. If all else fails a kong is about £5 for a small one from Pets At Home... worth an investment if it keeps the mutt quiet. I am assuming it is a small ratty dog??

Edited to add.... with the training the guy needs to get the dog used to being on his own. Start by walking in and out of the room and ignoring the dog, he also must never make a fuss of the dog when it is jumping up at him.... i know that this is kinda irrelevent as how can you teach the guy to train his dog, but just ask him if he needs any advice in training the dog to not bark.... they are many ways to do this he just has to be willing to accept advice... the threat of action via the authorities will get him wanting help.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

these balls work well too and keep lonely dogs amused for a while

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

That's another good suggestion - more food for thought and definately more things to suggest to the neighbour. It's not a small ratty dog, it's a medium sized dog, sort of sheepdog sized, which is why it's so menacing when it's barking and lunging at you :smt100

I'm hoping my husband's chat with him last night will make him think about sorting something out, if not it'll be letters to the council etc. Fingers crossed it doesn't come to that!

Cheers

Amanda

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

After confiring with them, I was implying you put YOUR hand in YOUR pocket and get one and you will have the controller when the owner is out ... I know its technically the owners responsibility, but if they are pensioners and have health issues ... buying a dog training devices is way -way down on their list of priorities ;)

I like the idea of the food toys to keep him amused too 8)

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

We got one of those well something similar... we got 2 kongs (2 different sized ones lol) 4 chew toys that you push treats into, pigs ears, teathing toys that you can push about 10 soft toys with squeekers (most of them desqueeked as he can desqueek most things in 5 seconds).

We usually have one kong in the freezer at a time one for when we both go to work and the other for when we go to bed so he always has something to concentrate on :). We also hide treats around the kitchen which he has to find when we are out.

There are collars which you put a liquid in called citreonella (sp?) it will send a spray shooting into the nose which is fowl smelling to dogs every time it barks. don't even think it is remote controlled.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Does Wales count as out of the country? ;)

Section 79(1)(d) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is what you want, as enforced by your local authority......... usually by their EH/Pollution Control section.

If you have no joy in trying to resolve it amicably then contact your local Council; they will be pleased to give you informal advice in the first instance and yes, there are things that can be done to help. There is some good advice earlier in this thread, but much of that requires the owners to do something.

Abatement Notice and Prosecution is a last resort. At the very extreme, the Council could actually seize the dog as a "work in default" (we do it regularly in other circumstances such as amplified music) but I've not heard of this being done with a pooch :lol:

PM me if you want to chat about it a bit more.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

hiya amanda sorry to hear about your hassles. if they leave dog in a cage in the garden you or hubby stands at fence and when it barks squirt it with a water pistol its supposed to work.

alternatively get the noisy cans back on the raptor, park outside their house when they are home and give it a few revs every few minutes.

of course the latter will involve your neighbours never speaking to you again

hope you get it sorted. xx

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Buy gun.



Shoot dog.



Shoot owner?

Take over house and claim squatters rights then sell house pocketing a tidy sum.


Sweet. Sorted.













Next!!

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

eh, they're doing what unsocialized and overanxious dogs do. Barking at cats is one thing and I agree this is normal; barking relentlessly and incessantly at every person walking down either side of the street, bicycles, cars, birds flying overhead... a gust of wind... it's not acceptable behavior.

Re: Noise nuisance/barking dog
 

Amanda - Get Bill and Falc to go round and let it out. sorry couldn't resist.

Sorry to hear about this hun, def go to the council but it is a long process, having been through this myself i know how you feel. Def talk to Jabba