Barking dog, what would you do?

[Danvers]

We live in a 3 story apartment complex. Our apartment is in the middle of the 3 stories (IE, we live on the second floor). For the last week, the dogs that live in the apartment on the first floor have been barking until almost 11 at night. I think the owners leave around 10 or 11 in the morning (I've been home sick the last two days) and the dogs start barking and bark without interruption until the owners come home LATE in the evening. I knocked on their door last night at 10, wanting to ask them to please keep their dogs quiet (hey, I was trying to sleep so I could go to work today), but no one answered. Of course, it riled up the dogs even more. I ended up leaving a note saying that the dogs had been barking ALL DAY and to please try to get them to be a little quieter.

Of course, they started up again at 10:45 this morning and have been at it ALL DAY. I'm not sure if this is something I should call the office and complain about tomorrow (they're closed now), or should I try and get ahold of the owners and complain? What would you do?


Edited to add: I feel very badly for the dogs. I think there are 2 of them. I'd be pretty annoyed if I needed to go to the bathroom all day and couldn't get out.

 

[babar]

If the owners are friendly, I would try to talk to them first. They may not actually know their dogs are barking!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I live in a two family house and one of my neighbors is home all day and she tells me she never hears the dogs, even though they are home alone during the work day.

However, we leave them things to do, and spend most of our time with them, engaging them in activity when we get home. I think if you are a person who works full time, having a dog can work, but you have to be willing to make sacrafices. Don't recall the last time I went out after work. If I work O/T, Chris, my SO, goes home at the right time, which means paying extra to take a different train and he does it just so the dogs won't be alone. We can't both go out and do something social after work. We have to get home to the dogs.

I think they are worth the sacrifices. It does not sound like your neighbors do. Honestly, I'd consider writing them an honest, frank letter and tell them you are considering telling the landlord, and then the humane society. Don't make outright threats, but tell them you are concerned for the dogs welfare.

 

[Lynn CC]

I would call them on the phone and speak to them about it. If it didn't stop I would call the dog officer. I can't stand constant barking!

 

[floridaminnie]

I would call the office. You have already left them a note and it didn't work.

 

[SherryNC]

I would call the office. You have already left them a note and it didn't work.

I agree with that.

 

[birdiesunshine]

From my experience, talking with the neighbor just made matters worse. Good luck with whatever you decide but a lot of people are very defensive when it comes to their animals.

 

[tlgoblue]

Or you could do what my upstairs neighbor does. Aerobics, over my bedroom at 11:30 pm! Actually, her dogs bark incessantly as well. She has the nerve to call the management on me if she hears my door slam, or Heaven forbid, I put together a shelving unit in the middle of the day and have to pound in a few nails! She calls then too! Actually, I'm moving in 4 days and I am making as much noise as I possibly can. And when moving day comes, those doors will be-a-slammin' at 6:30 a.m. Saturday!

 

[ilovepcot]

Well, I'm actually going to admit the VERY CHILDISH thing I did a few years ago. People behind us had a very large dog that was let into the back yard just before daylight every morning. He barked nonstop and DH and I could never go back to sleep. We're 2nd shift people so this was horrible for us. Finally, out of sleep deprival and a feeling of desperation, I phoned the people and when they answered, all they heard was ME.....barking like a dog loud as I could into their ear! Just so happened that DH worked with their son and told him we were the people who phoned his parents and "barked." Said if it didn't work we'd get even more "creative" if need be. Luckily, it worked!

 

[Briarmom]

I would call the office. You have already left them a note and it didn't work.

Me too. I can't stand it when people let their dogs bark all day. I think the owners should get in trouble. One of my biggest pet peeves EVER!

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

From my experience, talking with the neighbor just made matters worse. Good luck with whatever you decide but a lot of people are very defensive when it comes to their animals.

We had to talk to our neighbors about their barking dogs and they were very cooperative. There hasn't been a problem since and that was over a year ago. I really wouldn't want to assume that all people are going to respond in a negative way, although I would agree that a great many people would be uncooperative.

That aside, the OP DID leave a note already and they obviously ignored it. I'd leave one more note and if that doesn't work, I'd go to the office and complain. It can be very disruptive to deal with the constant noise. I work from home and when the neighbors dogs were at it all day, I couldn't get anything done at all. I'm fortunate they were cooperative, but had they not been, I would have taken action.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Well, I'm actually going to admit the VERY CHILDISH thing I did a few years ago. People behind us had a very large dog that was let into the back yard just before daylight every morning. He barked nonstop and DH and I could never go back to sleep. We're 2nd shift people so this was horrible for us. Finally, out of sleep deprival and a feeling of desperation, I phoned the people and when they answered, all they heard was ME.....barking like a dog loud as I could into their ear! Just so happened that DH worked with their son and told him we were the people who phoned his parents and "barked." Said if it didn't work we'd get even more "creative" if need be. Luckily, it worked!

Oh my God, that is frickin' hilarious! I'll have to remember that one! Thanks so much for the laugh.

 

[Jeanny]

if they're at work all day, they may not realize their dogs are barking... you've left a note, did the people see it?? maybe.

I leave the tv on low for Tucker even though my neighbors come over a couple of times a day to take him out for me. Maybe your neighbors could find someone to do that for them. (I buy gift cards from Wal-Mart or Target for them).

Leave one more note suggesting they leaving a radio or tv on for them.. The dogs are bored and don't realize they're doing anything wrong. If they're still barking, call the office, obviously the people don't care. It's called disturbing the peace!

 

[cherylp3]

Call the office. The office will send a letter, the tenant will not know who complained.

Cheryl

 

[chyam]

I think you should leave one more note, and if that does not resolve the problem take it a step farther. I have a neighbor who has 5 (FIVE) little dogs that yap yap yap.............drives me nuts, but at least I don't have to listen to it at night, only when I am in my yard. I make sure that when I leave for work or for my run every morning at 6am that I make lots of noise! I also slam the lid on my trash can when I take the trash out at 5 am I know it disturbs their dogs since I can hear them! Sounds mean but these dogs never ever quit! So I think they should have the joy of hearing them bark too........I'm sure it's a very pleasant alarm clock!