Dogs Barking All Day and All Night Long!

[Mitchell]

I wanted to post about this issue Iam having with my neighbors to ask how others would deal with this situation. I live on the second floor of a two story garden apartment building. My downstairs neighbors, who I've said hello to in passing, but dont know well, have two dogs who bark their heads off constantly day and night. They have awakened me from sleep at 5am, as well as in the middle of the night, and sometimes prevented me from falling assleep at night. I work at home, as many who know me are aware, and these dogs bark constantly if I'm on the phone with clients or business contacts. Legally, dogs are allowed in this complex, but I do know there is a rule which says there are supposed to be quiet hours after 10pm at night, and that technically, no noise is allowed. I realize that one cannot control dogs all the time, but does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do with dogs who seemingly bark 24 hours a day, and just dont shut up!? I want to be a good neighbor, and all, but if anyone has advice on what they would do in this situation, I'd love to hear feedback. Thank you.

Mitch

P'S I should also add that under normal circumstances I absolutely love dogs, and had a Golden Retriver named Zelda for over 10 years when we had our house in Connecticut. While Zelda would bark under normal circumstances if someone came into the house, or she heard a strange noise, and while she would occasionally howl or whimper at the moon, she didnt bark her head off 24 hours a day and drive us crazy if we were just home leading a normal family life, or drive our visitors nuts by barking all day, as she would quiet down after initially barking after someone entered the house. It seems to me that it just isnt normal for a dog to bark all day and all night and never shut up. Again, if anyone has any advice or suggestions, it would be appreciated.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I think gently making them aware of this situation and what it is doing it to you is the best way to start things, seeing as how you don't know them and it would be a shame for both parties to start off on the wrong foot.

Because the codes for your complex clearly state there are to be no disturbances after particular hours, you have that fact on your side and they are either aware of it or will be when you mention it.

Theres a certain level of tact one should handle these sort of matters in. Its only when the other party is being difficult that other means and mindsets should be saught. I think theres more potential to get this matter resolved in a mutually friendly way if you take this advice. While the noise and barking is upseting you, thats no excuse to accost them. Alot of people don't think before they try and resolve an issue and it ends up blowing up in their faces or escalating further because they take it, take it, and take it some more and are too timid or unconfrontational to even approach their neighbors on issues that need to be reconciled. In turn, they just brood and fester in angst, and thats just negative, in part, making you what you wish not to become- a bad neighbor.

Again, the best way to put this matter down and sort it out is to gently remind them of the apparent codes and regs and ask them to do something about the barking. They cannot be expected to control or silence the pets all hours of the day, but during the night its just a given that the pets should not be causing a disturbance of any kind.

People need to sleep, and I'm sure they realize that but are unaware what ammount of discomfort their animals have created perhaps because they are used to it and have come to the point of tolerating their pet's noises.

Its bad for you because you work out of your home, and will always hear the dogs barking because you're always there to hear them. This is not their problem and I'm not so sure they should have to work around that, nor am I saying you expect them to. They definitely should do something about the barking at night however. Thats just a given. It would help solidify a healthy tenant-to-tenant relationship if they took into consideration that you work out of your home and their dogs are having some ammount of impact on your business. If they realize the full scope of what is transpiring daily and they are good people, they may be more inclined to do something about this.

Sometimes people aren't aware that they or their animals are an inconvenience for others in some way until someone tells them. So tell them. Perhaps invite them in to foster a friendly atmosphere as opposed to talking to them through a screen door or whatever (thats just distant and indifference, don't want that in resolving issues).

If worse comes to worse, report them to the appartment manager or owner without saying a word to them further. Don't taunt or threaten them, just do it. Because the rules are on your side, you'll probably see things go your way. Lets hope it doesn't have to go there.

 

[grippedchimp]

Invest in a tranquiliser gun or some doped meat. Of course, you don't have to take my advice... 😉

 

[unclebill]

Mitch, I think it`s time you had a talk with your neighbor about this. You shouldn`t have to put up with such distractions when you are trying to work.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks for the advice guys, and while I do agree with Celtic about the talk, here is how I see it. I'm not saying that it's their problem about me working at home. Where I work and earn a living isnt even the point. The main point is that the complex has rules against excessive noise. For example, if I blasted music all day while I was working at home, the neighbors, under complex rules, would have a right to report me, and I'd have to lower my music. I'm not saying that intentionally blasting music is right, but if I did, they'd have a right to report me.
A couple of months ago, I accidently fell assleep with my TV on one night, and the TV was a bit loud. The next thing I knew, there was banging on my ceiling, and the next day, I got a letter from the complex warning me that I was making "excessive noise". Apparently, the downstairs neighbors had reported me to the complex without even coming to me first, after one offense, which is absolutely the wrong move. Since then, Iam very careful about the volume of my TV, and if I do happen to occasionally fall assleep with it on, I make special note to lower it as I think I'm going to close my eyes.
I think I will slip a note on their door. I dont like to be a troublemaker. I dont know if they can control their dogs, but it's worth a try. I'll post an update as time goes on. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Mitch

 

[lk70]

Are the dogs really barking 24 hours? I can see how thepeople may not be aware that the dogs are barking during the day when they're not home, but how can they be unaware of it during the night? Sounds like the dogs are bored and need some enrichment. I think the note under the door is a good, non-confrontational way to start. Good luck.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

On the other hand, from another point of view, slipping a note can be seen as non serious, distant, and even indifferent. Theres also the chance they may percieve him as timid or manipulitable. Definitely not what he wants because the more room you give folks to walk all over you or walk around the issue without dealing with it, the more they will.

A note is a good idea, however. If it was me, personally, I'd use the note to set up an appointment with these people so I can speak to them face to face in the kind, friendly, and gentle manner I spoke of earlier.

A smile and a handshake, welcoming fellow tenants into your home or vice-versa and personal introductions can do alot more than a distant, aloof note. A note makes it seem like you don't really want to deal with it, or that its not a big enough problem that warrants face to face communication and that can send mixed messeges. We don't want Mitchell getting the potential run-around from these people who may not even respond to his notes, understand the level of his concern, and may not even read them and may throw them away or never recieve them at all, however unlikely that is. Theres also the possibility they may not take him seriously.

A face to face exchange robs them of excuses and they are forced to deal with you in a certain ammount of honesty. However, because I mentioned etiquette, manners, and overall friendliness, they shouldn't be put off by Mitchell should he do it this way. I'm confident my way would be more effective provided these people aren't jerks or easily set off or are insecure.

Who knows, Mitchell may make friends with these people (something less likely with the distance and indifference note writing projects from afar). And he'd have being direct and personable to thank for it. Theres something to be said for taking the initiative, and either way you do this Mitchell, I hope it works out for you.

I really do. 🙂

 

[leafstk]

Hey Mitch!

Boy, can I identify with this post I've got super nice neighbours, who just so happen to have a cute, loveable, adorable little.... howling MENACE!!! LOL, no kidding... I love this dog, but he drives me CRAZY!! The neighbours often are not home and all this dog does is "Hoooooooooooooooooooooowlwwwwwwwwwlllllllllllll" and "moooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnn" . I understand its not his fault, but I don't need to hear it in the middle of the night, nor in the morning when I'm trying to sleep!

My suggestion is, unless its incessant, let it be or say something respectfully in a casual manner. I know all too well that living in an apartment if you rock the boat, you might get more than you bargain for 🙁

 

[Dr. Bill Kobb]

When I first moved back down here, I lived next to a redneck with a black lab that barked 24/7. Didn't bother me too much, but drove my room-mate crazy. So, the room-mate shot it with a B-B gun. Stopped barking from that day on. I'm not condoning nor suggesting this extreme measure, but it worked.

 

[The Sean Man]

I love dogs.....as long as they're properly cooked

 

[Carthoris]

The people that live behind my parents' house have about 12 beagles that bark constantly. Granted they're outside and people can't say much, but I understand your pain Mitch. I'm usually a believer in giving people the chance to fix the situation before I enlist outside help.

Just make sure the dogs don't eat your complaint letter if you slide it under the door, lol.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Just make sure the dogs don't eat your complaint letter if you slide it under the door, lol.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that possibility too. LOL ^^

 

[desdemona]

Mitch,
I sympathize with you. We have several neighborhood dogs who do take it upon themselves to make a lot of noise outside at inappropriate times (but then, neighbors who cut their grass at 6am also tend to annoy me, but I digress).

As a vet, there are corrective measures. There are humane bark collars - either that emit a high frequency pitch or citronella spray. I know my boss has debarked several dogs who were in danger of being euthanized or sent to a shelter because their owners had been threatened with eviction. It does depend on local ordinanances...and, I might add, the breed of dog. In Ohio, it is illegal to debark a potentially dangerous or vicious dog (mostly this includes pit bulls, who have gotten a bum wrap and are already banned under city ordinance). Just an FYI...you may tell them to consult their veterinarian for suggestions.

 

[Mitchell]

Thank you, Des. Good to see you, hun. I miss talking to you in the chat. I hope things are well and good in your life. Thank you for your post. It is helpful for me to hear advice from a professional.
I will speak to my neighbors about your suggestions. Thanks again, and take care.

Mitch