Dealing with Barking Dogs

@slaphead haha that’s a funny one! I’ve tried ear plugs all different types and prices. None fully block out sound. And in reply to Burgess - “Clive and Emma have got Penny the dog who keeps barking next door, I think we'll forget the neighbours dog and move somewhere like South Hams, which is the quietest.” - i live in one of the most rural places in the south hams yet and kept awake by dogs howling… go figure.

Inthegarden - 19-Oct-23 @ 6:33 AM

Funny how articles do not suggest getting ear plugs.

Slaphead - 19-Oct-23 @ 1:13 AM

I use a Big Cheese Mega-Sonic multi speaker anti bark device at night. It is externally rated and it has silenced my ignorant neighbours dogs which are in the garden all night with the patio doors open. Or should I say were in the garden all night.

Alec Trician - 30-Aug-23 @ 9:41 PM

I have a neighbor who locks his dogs in the house, goes to another location, and barks all night. This happens every day. What could I do???

Kotoy - 27-Aug-23 @ 10:03 PM

Where i live there are 12 houses and 10 dogs!! Two houses at the back of me have 4 dogs between them. One of the houses has patio doors that are open from 8.00am until 11pm EVERY DAY!! They have dogs that have got separation anxiety and when they put them out and if they close the door they wail and scream and bark until they let them back in which can be anything up to an hour. Then they open the patio door so that the dogs can come and go as they please but they bark at the slightest sound- putting washing out or rubbish out is impossible, even going to the toilet sets them off as they can hear me in my bathroom and forget sitting in the garden or even having windows open in hot weather that is just not possible at all. To make matters worse, when they have the patio doors open they turn the volume up so loud on the TV in the kitchen, so that the dogs don't hear anything to make them bark and that is just as bad!! I am seriously at my wits end and I have shouted at the dogs to shut up and I have played loud music so I don't hear them in my house as turning my TV up isn't enough but all that does is stress me out and cause arguments between me and my elderly mother that I have started wearing ear defenders in the house which is ridiculous- I shouldn't have to do this in my own home!! Bring back dog licensing as it seems that in the uk it's the fashion to have a designer dog- so glad for them that they can afford one! It would help in regards to illegal breeding as well.A lot of people don't know how to look after them properly and have no consideration for anyone else but, you also have the ones that treat them like they are their children and if you dare say anything then you are the one with a problem and how dare you say anything because it's a dog and that's what dogs do! I am looking for somewhere else to live now as I can't cope with it and it is driving me round the bend as it isn't going to get better anytime soon.

At wits end - 13-Aug-23 @ 10:58 PM

Clive and Emma have got Penny the dog who keeps barking next door, I think we'll forget the neighbours dog and move somewhere like South Hams, which is the quietest. Clive and Emma's parents have a annoying, loud brown dog who barks outside their terrace at No.3 next door and their friends have an annoying child or children who played basketball with the neighbours daughters we don't know.

Burgess - 9-Aug-23 @ 1:37 PM

We have a neighbours1 works from home other has a job we loved sittingin our gardenbut everytime we go into garden dog barks none stop so can't enjoy our gardennow dog just goes in n out of its house as door openwe love dogs just want too have peace in our garden we have tried talking to it n giving it treats still barks it can smelljust coming into gardencan talk to them as they would just fall out what is best solution

Maz - 20-Jul-23 @ 1:47 PM

I currently live next door to 2 women who have 5 dogs. Our houses are fairly small and we are attached. The dogs bark at everything and all hours of the day. A bird can set them off or a cow in the field behind us. People coming to the door or my door set them off. It is so loud that you can’t hear my TV or concentrate. When I’m at home working and they have a barking episode, I have to mute my teams calls just so others can hear the conversation properly. It is really stressing me out and is also causing a bit rift between me and my daughter. It frustrates both of us and we end up arguing over it. I rent my home and they own theirs. I daren’t complain incase they get nasty (I know they can be). I also don’t want to seem like I’m being a pain and causing trouble. So fed up.

Lou - 6-Jul-23 @ 8:43 PM

This is a severe problem and cannot be overstressed. Most people who allow their dog to bark are poor owners. I have moved house and will move again because of this problem. We are not all dog lovers and some of us enjoy peace and quiet in the garden. Me I’d have a ban on all dogs. I’ve had enough of having to put up with it.

Edd - 24-Jun-23 @ 9:02 AM

Me an husband lives beside neighbors who has barking dog who barks morning noon night the dog pee an poop is in the air we an other neighbors complained about the dog barking approach the neighbor with the dog didn't help none at all call non-emergency police came out once an order the neighbor to put up signs beware of dog an no Trespassing sign other than that nothing else the 2nd time the dog catcher from the non-emergency department came out he took my verbal complaint Said he will be back out the nxt day no show up still nothing done the dog barks when we have company when we take out trash every time we go out on deck we can't even sit outside the dog immediately barks jerking lurking trying to get off the rope he's tied up to the back porch no dog housewhere he can see all 4 neighbors as they enter outside an when they step off their porch he's a nuisance to society and neighbors all 4 neighbors call non-emergency police numerous times over 10 times the owner of the dog is Spiteful an does this to intimidate his neighbors the smell is getting unbareable there's no peace and it's annoying the 3 neighbors that's against the owner don't kno what else to do an the owner has company so much door slamming and loud talking at night while others are trying to sleep this owner of the dog is disrespectful and seems like he doesn't care it's enough to make a person trigger but because I'm humble and bring no harm among no-one it's hard to really deal with this owner I love peace among my neighbors but this owner with the dog makes that impossible due to himself being abnoxious and very rude disrespectful I'm on the edge an the city police of high point nc want do anything about it I have rights that's being violated plus other neighbors rights being violated and I understand there are more problems in society but this is a major problem as well dog barking complaint it seems dogs has more rights than a human with complaints this problem should have been solved already considering going on for 2 months & all the complaints from 4 neighbors( 8 in all including the complaints from other family living in households)against the owner with the dog and the call ins from the neighbors against the owner of the barking dog he often broke a loose an breaks a loose he's vicious an dangerous it's unsafe for us all to have a neighbordog strap down to the footsteps of a backporch using a rope as security knowing he often gets a lose by breaking the rope and runs around in neighborhooduntil the owner catches him an connectshim back to the rope on the wooden pole connected to the back footstep porch he's barking now as I'm typing this an been barking earlier it's just 9 in the morning this is terrible that's why some owners break the law cause the City Of High Point where I live does nothing about the nuisance problem that effects the community this is a sad major problem an The High Point Police Department in North Carolina has done nothi

Malisa - 24-May-23 @ 2:48 PM

I have a neighbour who has two aggressive German Shepard rescue dogs who are making my peaceful rural existence very stressful. These dogs obviously have not been trained and were probably given up by previous owners for being out of control and badly behaved. She goes to work early and doesn't return until late in the evening and both dogs bark constantly at every vehicle or person that happens to be near the front and side fence lines of the neighbouring properties. I am unable to go outside my front yard without being accosted by these aggressive dogs and have them barking continuously until I am out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty spiteful and inconsiderate woman about her dogs being out of control along the fence line when she is at work and also when ever I happen to be outside in my yard. She refuses to accept any responsibility for her dogs barking and insisted that her dogs are not out of control and certainly not aggressive and that they are only protecting her property, and that I was just a winger. People that feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and aggressive, and don't feel the need to control their dogs bad behaviour should not be allowed to have pets. I tried to get the council to help with this problem but they were useless and informed me that if the dogs were secured behind a fence, there was not much they could do to stop the dogs from barking.

Cathy - 15-Mar-23 @ 11:39 PM

I have moved into a nice street and neighbours seem ok but I have been kept awake at night by next door neighbour dog who barks and howls constantly disturbing my sleep and peace. A couple weeks before the dog was howling until the woman came home at 6 am in the morning I thought I would pop a note through her door to let her know the situation but she knocked on my door was aggressive and told me she works and the dog was there to protect. When I explained her dog was barking at 12.30 at night sheseemed not to care and through the note on the floor and for me not to send her any further notes. This has left me very stressed.

Paddy - 7-Mar-23 @ 12:07 PM

I have just read the awful stories of dogs barking. I live sandwiched between two dog parks, these were set up in 2019 and has caused us no end of trouble. We feel very stressed and upset. The dog park owners (business ltd company) intimidate us and run us off the road with his vehicle, so I know what you are going through. I have been in contact with the citizens advice and have been told that the park owners as well as the dog owners should have a code of practice and a code of care. Did you know this is Anti-social behaviour and dog owners can be prosecuted as well as the park owners if found that the noise is excessive. Keep looking on the internet for more information or use social media or even a group of people to put your case forward. I am alone in fighting my case. but will continue. If I can be of assistance let me know!

PJH - 5-Mar-23 @ 10:57 AM

I have a neighbour who has two aggressive German Shepard rescue dogs who are making my peaceful rural existence very stressful. These dogs obviously have not been trained and were probably given up by previous owners for being out of control and badly behaved. She goes to work early and doesn't return until late in the evening and both dogs bark constantly at every vehicle or person that happens to be near the front and side fence lines of the neighbouring properties. I am unable to go outside my front yard without being accosted by these aggressive dogs and have them barking continuously until I am out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty spiteful and inconsiderate woman about her dogs being out of control along the fence line when she is at work and also when ever I happen to be outside in my yard. She refuses to accept any responsibility for her dogs barking and insisted that her dogs are not out of control and certainly not aggressive and that they are only protecting her property, and that I was just a winger. People that feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and aggressive, and don't feel the need to control their dogs bad behaviour should not be allowed to have pets. I tried to get the council to help with this problem but they were useless and informed me that if the dogs were secured behind a fence, there was not much they could do to stop the dogs from barking.

Cathy - 12-Oct-22 @ 6:25 AM

I’m currently looking for a dog free neighbourhood :) I know it’s not likely but I’d absolutely love to find it. I’ve just moved from a property that had an untrained barking dog next door for 3 years. Any noise at all, even opening a window, started long periods of barking. We could not use our garden at all. Putting a washing out was a process of stress. The dog barks when inside or out. Driving into our drive starts it, walking past the window starts it. The neighbours think their home is their castle and stuff the neighbourhood.Thankfully we just moved ??

Mat - 2-Oct-22 @ 5:57 PM

My neighbours bought a Manchester terrier six months ago. For the first month they took it everywhere with them. Then they both went back to work. I work night shift. Guarantee at half seven every morning it starts. It howls and screams as they didn't start how they meant to go on. It's left for sometimes up to ten hours a day and this howling goes on for most of the day. Had a word with the neighbour who told me he had actually stopped taking it to work because of it incessant howling!!! No notice has been taken, I'm a dog owner too so was able to give him some advice on devices or calming treatments available. It's like they just don't care. At my wit's end it's driving me insane. Law needs to toughen up. This is causing me so much mental stress. I can see myself flippingand that's not the solution.

Taitsy - 7-Sep-22 @ 1:46 PM

I have a neighbour who has two aggressive German Shepard rescue dogs who are making my peaceful rural existence very stressful. These dogs obviously have not been trained and were probably given up by previous owners for being out of control and badly behaved. She goes to work early and doesn't return until late in the evening and both dogs bark constantly at every vehicle or person that happens to be near the front and side fence lines of the neighbouring properties. I am unable to go outside my front yard without being accosted by these aggressive dogs and have them barking continuously until I am out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty spiteful and inconsiderate woman about her dogs being out of control along the fence line when she is at work and also when ever I happen to be outside in my yard. She refuses to accept any responsibility for her dogs barking and insisted that her dogs are not out of control and certainly not aggressive and that they are only protecting her property, and that I was just a winger. People that feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and aggressive, and don't feel the need to control their dogs bad behaviour should not be allowed to have pets. I tried to get the council to help with this problem but they were useless and informed me that if the dogs were secured behind a fence, there was not much they could do to stop the dogs from barking.

Cathy - 6-Sep-22 @ 7:07 AM

I have a neighbour who has two aggressive German Shepard rescue dogs who are making my peaceful rural existence very stressful. These dogs obviously have not been trained and were probably given up by previous owners for being out of control and badly behaved. She goes to work early and doesn't return until late in the evening and both dogs bark constantly at every vehicle or person that happens to be near the front and side fence lines of the neighbouring properties. I am unable to go outside my front yard without being accosted by these aggressive dogs and have them barking continuously until I am out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty spiteful and inconsiderate woman about her dogs being out of control along the fence line when she is at work and also when ever I happen to be outside in my yard. She refuses to accept any responsibility for her dogs barking and insisted that her dogs are not out of control and certainly not aggressive and that they are only protecting her property, and that I was just a winger. People that feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and aggressive, and don't feel the need to control their dogs bad behaviour should not be allowed to have pets. I tried to get the council to help with this problem but they were useless and informed me that if the dogs were secured behind a fence, there was not much they could do to stop the dogs from barking.

Cathy - 6-Sep-22 @ 7:07 AM

I have a neighbour who has two aggressive German Shepard rescue dogs who are making my peaceful rural existence very stressful. These dogs obviously have not been trained and were probably given up by previous owners for being out of control and badly behaved. She goes to work early and doesn't return until late in the evening and both dogs bark constantly at every vehicle or person that happens to be near the front and side fence lines of the neighbouring properties. I am unable to go outside my front yard without being accosted by these aggressive dogs and have them barking continuously until I am out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty spiteful and inconsiderate woman about her dogs being out of control along the fence line when she is at work and also when ever I happen to be outside in my yard. She refuses to accept any responsibility for her dogs barking and insisted that her dogs are not out of control and certainly not aggressive and that they are only protecting her property, and that I was just a winger. People that feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and aggressive, and don't feel the need to control their dogs bad behaviour should not be allowed to have pets. I tried to get the council to help with this problem but they were useless and informed me that if the dogs were secured behind a fence, there was not much they could do to stop the dogs from barking.

Cathy - 6-Sep-22 @ 7:07 AM

I have a neighbour who has two aggressive German Shepard rescue dogs who are making my peaceful rural existence very stressful. These dogs obviously have not been trained and were probably given up by previous owners for being out of control and badly behaved. She goes to work early and doesn't return until late in the evening and both dogs bark constantly at every vehicle or person that happens to be near the front and side fence lines of the neighbouring properties. I am unable to go outside my front yard without being accosted by these aggressive dogs and have them barking continuously until I am out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty spiteful and inconsiderate woman about her dogs being out of control along the fence line when she is at work and also when ever I happen to be outside in my yard. She refuses to accept any responsibility for her dogs barking and insisted that her dogs are not out of control and certainly not aggressive and that they are only protecting her property, and that I was just a winger. People that feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and aggressive, and don't feel the need to control their dogs bad behaviour should not be allowed to have pets. I tried to get the council to help with this problem but they were useless and informed me that if the dogs were secured behind a fence, there was not much they could do to stop the dogs from barking.

Cathy - 6-Sep-22 @ 7:07 AM

I have a neighbour who has two aggressive German Shepard rescue dogs who are making my peaceful rural existence very stressful. These dogs obviously have not been trained and were probably given up by previous owners for being out of control and badly behaved. She goes to work early and doesn't return until late in the evening and both dogs bark constantly at every vehicle or person that happens to be near the front and side fence lines of the neighbouring properties. I am unable to go outside my front yard without being accosted by these aggressive dogs and have them barking continuously until I am out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty spiteful and inconsiderate woman about her dogs being out of control along the fence line when she is at work and also when ever I happen to be outside in my yard. She refuses to accept any responsibility for her dogs barking and insisted that her dogs are not out of control and certainly not aggressive and that they are only protecting her property, and that I was just a winger. People that feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and aggressive, and don't feel the need to control their dogs bad behaviour should not be allowed to have pets. I tried to get the council to help with this problem but they were useless and informed me that if the dogs were secured behind a fence, there was not much they could do to stop the dogs from barking.

Cathy - 6-Sep-22 @ 7:07 AM

I have a neighbour who has two aggressive German Shepard rescue dogs who are making my peaceful rural existence very stressful. These dogs obviously have not been trained and were probably given up by previous owners for being out of control and badly behaved. She goes to work early and doesn't return until late in the evening and both dogs bark constantly at every vehicle or person that happens to be near the front and side fence lines of the neighbouring properties. I am unable to go outside my front yard without being accosted by these aggressive dogs and have them barking continuously until I am out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty spiteful and inconsiderate woman about her dogs being out of control along the fence line when she is at work and also when ever I happen to be outside in my yard. She refuses to accept any responsibility for her dogs barking and insisted that her dogs are not out of control and certainly not aggressive and that they are only protecting her property, and that I was just a winger. People that feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and aggressive, and don't feel the need to control their dogs bad behaviour should not be allowed to have pets. I tried to get the council to help with this problem but they were useless and informed me that if the dogs were secured behind a fence, there was not much they could do to stop the dogs from barking.

Cathy - 6-Sep-22 @ 7:07 AM

My neighbour acquired two rescue German Shepard dogs about three years ago and my peaceful life on my rural property has been pure hell since then. Both dogs are aggressive and out of control. Both neighbours work and when they leave early in the morning, the dogs bark constantly at cars and at anyone that comes along the fence line. This barking and running up and down the fence line continues non stop all day and also when ever there is a vehicle, other workmen or visitors along the front and side of my property, the dogs become extremely aggressive and do not stop barking until everyone has left. I am unable to even go outside into my front yard without the dogs barking and this will continue until I go back inside and out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty, spiteful and inconsiderate woman, who refuses to accept that her dogs are causing any disturbance at all and insisted that her dogs are well behaved and not aggressive and that they are just protecting her property. She went on to tell me that I was just a winger. I have complained to council and they are useless, told me that as long as the dogs are secured inside a fence, there is not much they can do about the barking. I should be able to go outside my front door without being accosted by aggressive backing dogs and be able to have visitors come to see me without the dogs barking continuously at them. People who feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and lack training should not have animals that they cannot look after and who leave them to fend for themselves all day without any exercise, should not be allowed to have pets.

Betsy - 6-Sep-22 @ 6:23 AM

Anyone any advice on how to go about reporting a nusinace barking dog when you can't pin point the offending house? The dog starts barking every day between 6.30am and 7am, and doesn't let up all day. However, it's hard to pinpoint which house due to how the houses are situated, but it's starting to really stress us out. I've tried posting on a local community notice board but to no avail. It seemed to start about a month ago so I'm wondering if someone just moved in. I love dogs, and regularly look after and pup sit my son's two labs, who obviously bark when their doorbell rings etc, and soon quieten down, but the constant barking dog in the immediate vicinity has just got too much now. Yes I know dogs bark, but I don't accept that a dog should be allowed to bark incessantly for hours on end to the detriment of neighbour's sanity. Trying to work from home with the constant barking is now really stressful, and in the hot weather it isn't an option to shut all doors and windows, and to be honest, I don't see why I should just because of one ignorant neightbour ! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tjh2212 - 15-Aug-22 @ 3:07 PM

My neighbours got themselves THREE dogs over the pandemic. These pups have never been trained to be on their own, so whenever my neighbours go out the dogs freak out! Running around the house, barking and yelping for hours until their owners return. It's so horribly stressful living here knowing that at any minute it could start. I've been to a therapist about it. I feel so depressed and anxious. I've spoken to the neighbors about it and they're told me the dogs are just barking to guard the house while they're away! It's so inconsiderate! I've thought of going to the council, but that would mean an official record. I want to sell my house soon and legally I'd have to inform any potential buyer about the situation with my neighbours. We need tighter laws in this country. People's pets shouldn't come before peace and quiet in our own homes.

Dr Akula - 14-Aug-22 @ 1:50 PM

A resident in my close has five chihuahua’s.She bred the adults intending to sell the pups which she could not do so kept them all.This was about three years ago.They bark at the slightest noise and have free access through a dog flap.She goes out and leaves them to come and go at will.She works nights and lets them out when she gets home around 6.30 a.m. She goes to bed at some point so a few hours peace.New people moved in next to her and got two dogs!One is a french bulldog and as soon as the five start yapping he joins in.These two dogs also have a dog flap for free access.Sometimes you cannot hear yourself think for the noise! At times it has gone on late into the night and early hours of the morning.We have been down the council route of form filling and she received a letter which made no difference at all.Now a second form filling exercise has been completed but seems like a waste of time.The council will not accept our own recordings of the noise but say we have to use theirs which is not available for weeks.Meanwhile the cacophony of noise continues relentlessly, enough to drive you mad when all you want is peace and quiet.What more can be done?

Soozie - 13-Aug-22 @ 10:13 AM

We have lived in our house for just over 3 years. We live behind a traveler family. Apart from their shouting all day and night we have to put up with their dog/dogs barking. They leave it outside and will often go out for the night and sometimes weekends or weeks. It’s currently 1.45am and it’s been yapping on and off since about 9.30pm. It’s even worse because of the heat as we now need to shut our windows. Sometimes we swear there’s more than one dog. They are not the type of people anyone would want to confront. They speak to their kids how they speak to their dogs! We don’t really want to go down the council route and it might affect the sale of our house when we hopefully move in the next couple of years. I suppose we’ve just got to put up with it. Some people are just so selfish it’s unbelievable. I don’t understand why some people have dogs.

Endofmytether - 12-Aug-22 @ 1:52 AM

If you own a dog it's your responsibility to keep it quiet and keep it trained. I don't care how much you love it, you are affecting your neighbours and it's extremely INCONSIDERATE. You are very lucky a brick isn't thrown through your window. Because that might be what it takes to get you to listen.

alex - 9-Aug-22 @ 4:11 PM

All these people defending their dogs are obviously biased If a dog barks more than two minutes a day in the yard then it's a nuisance and should be dealt with by the authorities I'm sick of people thinking they have the right to cause noise pollution and misery to their adjacent neighbours. I can understand if they live on a farm with no neighbours adjacent How would they like it if someone empties their trash can in their garden? That's also pollution same as noise

Jet - 9-Aug-22 @ 11:35 AM

Hi, would like some advice if possible. I have a 1 year old (end of this month) American bull dog she is the most friendly loving dog ever she is also people and dog friendly. However she will bark at any one that knocks on the door until they come in maybe barks once has a sniff realises they are no threat and just wants attention. I have a semi detached house and the neighbour I am attached too always speaks to the dog through the fence infact my dog cries something when they are in the garden to have a sniff or there dog and a bit of attention. The neighbour I am not attached to but share a fence with has cats and when they lay right next to the fence my dog barks, the neighbour will then come over and give sly looks but stand there with the cat and will wait until I come out. I try and move the dog to avoid any distress but she is a big dog and so heavy surely the helpful and right thing to do it to just pick the cat up and move it to another area in the garden?? Also I now feel like I have to check to see if the neighbour is in the garden before I let my dog out. This morning I heard the dog back only a few times and seen that the neighbour was standing in her garden away from the fence but then the barking got worse as I moved down stairs and could then see the neighbour was kneeling down and staring at the dog through the fence!! To me this is antagonising my dog, I went out and she started to pick things up from near the fence and I struggled to get the dog in but soon as I did she walked away. Made a comment to my mam who is very poorly I don’t want confrontation but feel like a lot of this could be avoided in an easier way. Just move the cat and walk away when the dog barks even until I get her in the house not that I should because this is her garden !! I suffer with really bad anxiety and this is making me ill

CaitS - 3-Aug-22 @ 10:27 AM

Dealing with Barking Dogs

Incessant and Nuisance Barking

1. Contact the Neighbour

2. If that Doesn’t Work? Contact your Environmental Health Department

3. Legal Action: Environmental Protection Act 1990

Dangerous as Well as Noisy?