Neighbor's dog barks INCESSANTLY. Help!?

Question

I live across the street from a LAZY lard-butt family with a golden retriever that always barks during the day. I have a 2-mo old that only sleeps well during the daytime, and even then I need to get things done for my home-business. I can't take naps with my baby to get my rest, or get any work done without wanting to rip MY HAIR OUT!

The dog's barking starts at 8am and ends at about 6pm when the neighbors get home. It keeps me on nerves edge. I have sent then an anonymous POLITE-AS-HECK letter and some information on how to keep dogs from barking (printed from my city's animal-control website). I have called animal control 5 times to report it, and they say they can only issue a warning letter. NO IMPROVEMENTS SO FAR. I only have so much hair.

The city recommended that I fill out an affidavit of a week's length recording the dog's barking itmes, then the neighbors will be issued an OFFICIAL CITATION. If they contest it, then I have to go to court to face them.
Advice please?

I would love to buy them a bark collar and put a bow on it.

I mean put it on their dog.

Or put it on the owners. But I can't afford 3 huge bark collars.

Answer 1

If that's what you have to do to get peace.. I say do it. Anything else that you can do would be wrong or illegal.. You have tried to get them to change, given them plenty of chances.. They are infringing on your right to enjoy your own home.

Answer 2

I am a retired Animal Control Officer and you have done all you can. And in my state, they handle things the same way. However, in my state once a citation is served, if it isn't paid it goes on their record and they could get arrested during a traffic stop. We issue up to 3 citations for any offence and each one is a higher penalty. The 4th one is a mandatory court appearance and yes you would have to go and bring neighbors if possible that have also been bothered by this problem. The defendent also has the option of fighting any of the first 3 citations in court and again you would have to go too. Sooner or later the hole in their pocket gets big enough that they do something. I have had many hard heads like you mention and it takes constant comlaints to solve the problem. You need to do the time log and sign the cite, it is better if you have a neighbor to also do it. If nothing changes after the first one is served, do it again and again until they get the message. That is all you can do other than turning on music or the tv and getting used to that noice to drown out the dog. I trained my daughter early to sleep through noice. I could run the vaccum cleaner and she wouldn't wake up. I started right after she was born.

Answer 3

I feel for you. :(
My neighbor's dog barks ALL day. And the worst part is that my OTHER neighbor is convinced that it is MY dog. ERRRR. My dog is inside, and when he barks outside I make him come in right away. I hate inconsiderate pet owners!

Do you have a HOA? It might be worth it to let them know.
I haven't tried that on my end yet, but I'm thinking about it.

I've also noticed that sometimes if I get to a window where I can see into the neighbors back yard and yell at the dog to shut the f*!$ up (what, the neighbors are at work! lol) then the dog listens for at least a LITTLE while.

I can't believe the letter trick didn't work! I was thinking of sending a letter as well. I guess I would try calling the police if I were you. Seriously, how fricken RUDE.

I think you've gone above and beyond the "nice" way to do things, and it's time to get mean on them!

Answer 4

They have a device that you can use. It omits a sound at a frequency that only dogs can hear. You may try picking one up at a pet supply store. They have ones that are stationary and ones that you press when the dog starts to bark. The one that is stationary you would have to place on the fence when the neighbors aren't there. The one you press, you would have to make sure to be close enough for him to hear it and for it to hurt his ears. I personally would try something like this. If it doesn't work, I would take the dog to another town and give him away. I know that sounds harsh but if your neighbors are are that uncaring why should you care. I have some neighbors that have a daughter who lets her dogs out at night to run and bark. They are about to find new homes. I have tried talking to her, the buzzer thing etc. They got over the shock of the noise so I have found them new homes. Do what you have to. Its their fault for not caring for their dog and their neighborly responsibilities.

Answer 5

I know exactly how you feel (although I'm not trying to study!). My next-door neighbour has TWO yappy dogs who are trapped in a tiny backyard all day long! If you don't think your neighbours can do anything about it, perhaps put some music on in the background (classical if you can't concentrate with lyrics) or headphones or ear plugs. Good luck! Or you could go and study at a local library...

Answer 6

I had the same problem! It was a nightmare until I recorded ? many hours of the dog barking and turned it in to animal control. They must have issued a citation because it finally stopped! I wished I had done it sooner. Record the dog's barking ASAP and get it over with! I wish you and your baby peace and quiet... I know what you're going through.

Answer 7

The golden retriever's are a friendly kind of dog. It sounds very much that the reason this dog barks all day-is the lack of proper attention by the owners.
Also, the dog is outside all day? Does it have enough food, water? Is it chained up, or free in a fenced yard? Also, is the dog kept outside at night as well?
Please do as the animal control suggests, and face them in court.
The dog needs to be properly loved and cared for.
Take care.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, you will have to continue down the path of bureaucratic ditches and speed bumps before you see any real action. Have you tried placing a noise complaint with the police? It sucks wasting their time with this kind of stuff, but the documentation will help your case on the back end. Unfortunately, retrievers require a ton of exercise time or they get edgy/kind of tweeked and as a result you get 'demand barking,' and from the sounds of things this one gets about 0 attention. On that note, you could try contacting the humane society as well.

On a silly note you could pull a Seinfeld and attempt to dog-nap the pooch, and then take him to a nice country field with MILES of running and barking room.

Answer 9

You need to get a little *tougher* and leave a "not so polite as heck" letter. Let them know that you will contact animal control. Start keeping the barking log the police suggested. If they threaten you or harass you, they can be arrested.

It's not pleasant to be the "bad guy", but sometimes you have to be.

Answer 10

that's a tough one. there is nothing more annoying than a barking dog and owners who dont give a f. but, you just don't have many options. i would consider a face to face friendly discussion with the neighbors, although that's probably not going to solve the issue.

don't laugh, but have you considered ear plugs? i know, that's out there and the burden shouldnt be on you, but they really work and will allow you some rest. it's just a suggestion to a difficult problem. GL with it.

Answer 11

Whoever voted down the "Shoot the dog" answers has never been the neighbor of a dog that barks all freaking day. My neighbors have 3-4 dogs that bark from 7:00am to 2:00am. No joke, it may even be longer.
Of course, they never bark when the owners are actually home. They don't hear their dogs barking, so they don't give a d4mn.

Whatever you do, shoot the dog, not yourself.