Dog barking at 530am

[Anonymous]

I dealt with egregious dog barking a few years back in lower MoCo - it is the only time that I have ever complained to a neighbor about anything. For context, we are talking about 12,000 sq. ft. lots / ~500 discernable barks per hour often in the 85-100db range at literally all hours of day and night. A few hard-won lessons that might be useful (YMMV):

1. Contrary to some previous posters, I do recommend talking to your neighbor in person. The first step is to make sure that the neighbor understands that the barking is a significant nuisance that is impacting your life. People really love their dogs (I love dogs too!) -- and they sometimes develop sincere (if ridiculous) blind spots or tell themselves stories about how it's not that bad. Conversation #1 should establish that the barking is heard and it is that bad. If you walk away from that conversation having had a constructive, human exchange where you have conveyed those points, you have given yourself a chance at success here. In your case, I would also track down the landlord and bring them up to speed -- assume that the landlord is an ally until/unless you learn otherwise.

2. Conversation #2 should come literally the next time you get early, late, or truly incessant barking. If you are able to stay cordial but firm, you can use this conversation to provide real time substantiation in support of Conversation #1 and make it clear that you aren't going away until the barking does. In my case, Conversation #2 occurred at 6:25am on a Sunday while the dogs continued to bark in the background. You don't need feelings in that spot -- jut facts! Again, let the landlord know that this conversation happened.

3. If there is appreciable improvement after steps 1/2, reward them with some leeway if possible. If there is no appreciable improvement or if any improvement turns out to be short-lived, learn your local noise ordinance and start taking advantage of its remedies. They will be imperfect, but they can be effective. In my own case, I called in a nuisance noise complaint whenever the dogs barked after 11pm or before 7am. This will very likely trigger a site visit/welfare check. This may anger your neighbor, but it will also reinforce that you aren't going to drop it. Stay with it -- the dog owner might dismiss one or two visits as you just venting, but if you persist, you may be able to overcome the dog owner's inertia/apathy.

4. If steps 1-3 fail, invest in and properly mount a high-quality long-range barking silencer and position it as close to the dogs as possible.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's illegal. Of course you should say something. If that doesn't get anywhere, reach out to the owners (if you have a good relationship with them). Or just call animal control.

Is it illegal or is this hyperbole!

It's illegal.
You can call the police non-emergency line and they WILL come out and talk to the homeowner/renter.

They can be fined if the police need to return.

[Anonymous]

What does being a renter have to do with this?
I leave for work at 530 and let my dog out to use the bathroom. He’s literally out there 2 mins maybe, if there is a rabbit scent or other animal scent he barks in excitement sometimes. I do go out and kind of whisper yell at him to stop but there is not a whole lot I can do. I don’t leave him out there once he starts I bring him back in if the whisper yell doesn’t work. Luckily my neighbors are deeper sleepers than you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's illegal. Of course you should say something. If that doesn't get anywhere, reach out to the owners (if you have a good relationship with them). Or just call animal control.

Is it illegal or is this hyperbole!

It's illegal.
You can call the police non-emergency line and they WILL come out and talk to the homeowner/renter.

They can be fined if the police need to return.

This is not true. If they drive by with the window down and don’t hear barking they keep going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's illegal. Of course you should say something. If that doesn't get anywhere, reach out to the owners (if you have a good relationship with them). Or just call animal control.

Is it illegal or is this hyperbole!

Not hyperbole! Thank you so much! https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/sites/code/files/assets/documents/pdf/animal-noise.pdf

Are you in Fairfax County or are you trolling, OP?

I am in ffx. I'm thankful to know it's illegal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does being a renter have to do with this?
I leave for work at 530 and let my dog out to use the bathroom. He’s literally out there 2 mins maybe, if there is a rabbit scent or other animal scent he barks in excitement sometimes. I do go out and kind of whisper yell at him to stop but there is not a whole lot I can do. I don’t leave him out there once he starts I bring him back in if the whisper yell doesn’t work. Luckily my neighbors are deeper sleepers than you.

That's pretty crappy of you. I mention that it's a renter because the rest of us are families and long time residents so we are inclined to be neighborly. That house has had a series of renters who are not invested in the neighborhood, but this is the first one who has had a dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does being a renter have to do with this?
I leave for work at 530 and let my dog out to use the bathroom. He’s literally out there 2 mins maybe, if there is a rabbit scent or other animal scent he barks in excitement sometimes. I do go out and kind of whisper yell at him to stop but there is not a whole lot I can do. I don’t leave him out there once he starts I bring him back in if the whisper yell doesn’t work. Luckily my neighbors are deeper sleepers than you.

That's pretty crappy of you. I mention that it's a renter because the rest of us are families and long time residents so we are inclined to be neighborly. That house has had a series of renters who are not invested in the neighborhood, but this is the first one who has had a dog.

Op, your op mentions that the dog is left out to bark. That’s not nice and the dog should be brought in. PP’s situation is what a dog owner should do if their dog does bark- bring them in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I dealt with egregious dog barking a few years back in lower MoCo - it is the only time that I have ever complained to a neighbor about anything. For context, we are talking about 12,000 sq. ft. lots / ~500 discernable barks per hour often in the 85-100db range at literally all hours of day and night. A few hard-won lessons that might be useful (YMMV):

1. Contrary to some previous posters, I do recommend talking to your neighbor in person. The first step is to make sure that the neighbor understands that the barking is a significant nuisance that is impacting your life. People really love their dogs (I love dogs too!) -- and they sometimes develop sincere (if ridiculous) blind spots or tell themselves stories about how it's not that bad. Conversation #1 should establish that the barking is heard and it is that bad. If you walk away from that conversation having had a constructive, human exchange where you have conveyed those points, you have given yourself a chance at success here. In your case, I would also track down the landlord and bring them up to speed -- assume that the landlord is an ally until/unless you learn otherwise.

2. Conversation #2 should come literally the next time you get early, late, or truly incessant barking. If you are able to stay cordial but firm, you can use this conversation to provide real time substantiation in support of Conversation #1 and make it clear that you aren't going away until the barking does. In my case, Conversation #2 occurred at 6:25am on a Sunday while the dogs continued to bark in the background. You don't need feelings in that spot -- jut facts! Again, let the landlord know that this conversation happened.

3. If there is appreciable improvement after steps 1/2, reward them with some leeway if possible. If there is no appreciable improvement or if any improvement turns out to be short-lived, learn your local noise ordinance and start taking advantage of its remedies. They will be imperfect, but they can be effective. In my own case, I called in a nuisance noise complaint whenever the dogs barked after 11pm or before 7am. This will very likely trigger a site visit/welfare check. This may anger your neighbor, but it will also reinforce that you aren't going to drop it. Stay with it -- the dog owner might dismiss one or two visits as you just venting, but if you persist, you may be able to overcome the dog owner's inertia/apathy.

4. If steps 1-3 fail, invest in and properly mount a high-quality long-range barking silencer and position it as close to the dogs as possible.

Good luck!

Thank you for taking the time to write this all out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does being a renter have to do with this?
I leave for work at 530 and let my dog out to use the bathroom. He’s literally out there 2 mins maybe, if there is a rabbit scent or other animal scent he barks in excitement sometimes. I do go out and kind of whisper yell at him to stop but there is not a whole lot I can do. I don’t leave him out there once he starts I bring him back in if the whisper yell doesn’t work. Luckily my neighbors are deeper sleepers than you.

That's pretty crappy of you. I mention that it's a renter because the rest of us are families and long time residents so we are inclined to be neighborly. That house has had a series of renters who are not invested in the neighborhood, but this is the first one who has had a dog.

Op, your op mentions that the dog is left out to bark. That’s not nice and the dog should be brought in. PP’s situation is what a dog owner should do if their dog does bark- bring them in.

I guess you are right, but they are in violation for making any noise at all. Even one or two barks is waking someone up. And the pp is suggesting it's my problem for being a light sleeper. I am entitled to a full night sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's illegal. Of course you should say something. If that doesn't get anywhere, reach out to the owners (if you have a good relationship with them). Or just call animal control.

In our moco experience (with owners in a SFH neighborhood), no one will do anything.

Not animal control (dog has shelter, food, water available all indoors). Not non-emergency police call about late night and early barking.

Not our neighbors (the dog people) who must get sick of hearing their own dog barking in the house so they let him out dozens of times a day (and night) to bark.

The worst.

[Anonymous]

Suggestions?

4. If steps 1-3 fail, invest in and properly mount a high-quality long-range barking silencer and position it as close to the dogs as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does being a renter have to do with this?
I leave for work at 530 and let my dog out to use the bathroom. He’s literally out there 2 mins maybe, if there is a rabbit scent or other animal scent he barks in excitement sometimes. I do go out and kind of whisper yell at him to stop but there is not a whole lot I can do. I don’t leave him out there once he starts I bring him back in if the whisper yell doesn’t work. Luckily my neighbors are deeper sleepers than you.

That's pretty crappy of you. I mention that it's a renter because the rest of us are families and long time residents so we are inclined to be neighborly. That house has had a series of renters who are not invested in the neighborhood, but this is the first one who has had a dog.

Op, your op mentions that the dog is left out to bark. That’s not nice and the dog should be brought in. PP’s situation is what a dog owner should do if their dog does bark- bring them in.

I guess you are right, but they are in violation for making any noise at all. Even one or two barks is waking someone up. And the pp is suggesting it's my problem for being a light sleeper. I am entitled to a full night sleep.

I'm not sure what you are suggesting. Sometimes dogs bark. If the owner responsibly (a) tries to quiet them, and (b) brings them inside when they begin, that's really all that you can ask. Unless you're suggesting that no dog owner should let their dogs out, at all, before 7:00 to guard against the chance that they may, occasionally, let out a bark?

You were very sympathetic until this post, OP. Don't blow it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does being a renter have to do with this?
I leave for work at 530 and let my dog out to use the bathroom. He’s literally out there 2 mins maybe, if there is a rabbit scent or other animal scent he barks in excitement sometimes. I do go out and kind of whisper yell at him to stop but there is not a whole lot I can do. I don’t leave him out there once he starts I bring him back in if the whisper yell doesn’t work. Luckily my neighbors are deeper sleepers than you.

+1

This is just it. Does your neighbor work, and you do not, OP? The dog is on a schedule. Let it go, or use earplugs.

[Anonymous]

Become a dog sitter for a week, wake up the dogs and take them outside at 5 am everyday. Make sure they bark a lot near the neighbor. See if they get the message.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does being a renter have to do with this?
I leave for work at 530 and let my dog out to use the bathroom. He’s literally out there 2 mins maybe, if there is a rabbit scent or other animal scent he barks in excitement sometimes. I do go out and kind of whisper yell at him to stop but there is not a whole lot I can do. I don’t leave him out there once he starts I bring him back in if the whisper yell doesn’t work. Luckily my neighbors are deeper sleepers than you.

That's pretty crappy of you. I mention that it's a renter because the rest of us are families and long time residents so we are inclined to be neighborly. That house has had a series of renters who are not invested in the neighborhood, but this is the first one who has had a dog.

Op, your op mentions that the dog is left out to bark. That’s not nice and the dog should be brought in. PP’s situation is what a dog owner should do if their dog does bark- bring them in.

I guess you are right, but they are in violation for making any noise at all. Even one or two barks is waking someone up. And the pp is suggesting it's my problem for being a light sleeper. I am entitled to a full night sleep.

Sorry, but I’m not understanding what you would expect someone to do. Not in the case of the person leaving their dog out, that’s unacceptable. But if someone else is letting their dog out and it barks and they bring it in immediately, that’s just part of living in close quarters. My neighbor leaves for work at 5:30 and I hear him unlock and start his truck. It wakes me up but he’s certainly not doing anything wrong.