Neighbor's Dog Barking

I have been in the same situation and my husband "MR. Nice Guy" also would never let me say anything to the lady that lives behind us and has 4 barking little annoying dogs that I would love to accidently poison. I have a dog (big) so it's not that I am anti-aniimals. But I think she puts them outside because she doesn't want to listen to it in her house. Just recently I have told my husband that maybe I will leave her a nice but to the point note in her mailbox and just sign it "a neighbor" and see if that helps at all. If the "lazy" son doesn't care maybe his parents will.

You said you have a nice relationship with your neighbors. Does that mean you see/converse with them regularly? If so, I would simply mention it to one of them the next time you speak. Something to the effect of, "I don't know if you're aware, but when Sparky is out at night, he barks pretty consistently. We're right at the point where we're working with our daughter to get her to sleep through the night, and Sparky's barks are making it harder. Can you talk to your son and see if he could make other arrangements for Sparky at night? Just until we get over this hurdle with my daughter? We'd really appreciate it."
If you are friendly already, they make take pity on you and remember how difficult it was when their son was 9 months. I would be surprised if they became enraged if you phrase it like that. However, if you do think that nothing will change if you ask, then I'd just report the neighbors to the police annonymously. That way, you can pretend you had nothing to do with it and try to preserve your relationship.

Good luck!

I would first approach your neighbors about the situation, then the son. Chances are they will do something about it, especially to keep the peace between neighbors. Be sure to be considerate to them, as well (you've heard the phrase that you get more bees with honey...). Play up the sympathy about having a baby and not getting much sleep, regardless, and the dog barking is really adding to the lack of sleep, as it wakes up your baby & you. Then add a simple request to please let the dog in when they hear it.

I had a dog, and she was normally quiet unless the neighbors dog was out - then they'd bark back and forth. I would get her ASAP and bring her in (sometimes it would take a minute if I was in the bathroom or changing my son's diaper....but nothing too long). See if they get to the dog in a reasonable length of time, considering they may be in the middle of something. The adults may not be stepping in since it's their son's dog....but having that request may push them to do so, when needed. Also stress that during the day it isn't quite as much of an issue as it is at night or during naptime (and name a specific time, if possible).

My reasons for recommending this is your statement that you have a good relationship with your neighbor. I assume you want to keep it that way, and you sound like a pretty understanding person, too. I would hesitate to call the police or association if a simple request would do the trick & be much friendlier. Oh, and keep in mind - you guys may one day be on the other end or your child can do something that requires them to approach you....so treat them how you would want to be treated! :)

Best wishes - I do know how frustrating it is.

I think there is probably a city ordinance against dogs barking all the time. You should consult the Macomb County offices and make a complaint. They will notify the owner with a complaint and then go from there. I think you would be able to remain anonymous to the neighbor.

It's too bad that a good many people are so inconsiderate these days. Certainly they can hear their dog barking also. Good Luck in finding a solution.

Grandma of 9

We also had the same problem when we moved into our new home. The dog would bark non-stop and wake up everybody. It was so bad that when we would be swimming in our backyard we couldn't even have solice, just barking. We finally decided to confront the neighbor. We were very nice, and told her of our concerns/complaints. She was a single mom and this dog was her protection. She was very defensive and this basically resolved nothing! We did not know her as she lived behind us and we had a tall fence. The neighbor made no effort to resolve the issue so we were forced to file a police report. The Shelby Twp police actually came to the house and timed how long the dog barked. The neighbor was fined and ticketed and one day we noticed the dog was gone. Not sure what happened but we were happy. I did feel bad having to take it to this point, but we did try to make peaceful resolve but sometimes people aren't willing to budge. My advise is to try to talk to your neighbors and then proceed with calling the police. You are entitled to some peace and quiet and it doesn't make you an animal hater. I love animals! Good luck to you!
L.

Oh boy is this a universal problem or what?? We back up to a mile road and we can hear a dog across in a house that backs up to the same mile road but in a different subdivision, it's so annoying when it's before 7AM in the morning!!
Anyway, I had a similar problem with a young man (not a teen) who lives with his parents across the street from me. He was cleaning out his car (in the garage mind you) and had his music turned up so loud that my windows where shaking, floor vibrating and even the glass doors on my entertainment unit were shaking. Now I had kept quiet on previous occassions, but now I had had my second baby and she was sleeping upstairs. I was so furious, I marched my butt across the street and told him that his music was so loud my windows where shaking, he gave me this "DUH??? What are you talking about look???", so I basically told him if he doesn't stop I'd call our association (not sure if you live in a subdivision with an association or not, they can help you also) and if that didn't work I would call the police in that order. Now mind you, this man comes from a nationality that boy's do no wrong and get everything, so his mom and dad have not spoken to, made eye contact or waved at us since (Dad doesn't speak english anyway), but you know what, I haven't heard their sons stero again since. Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns and take care of it. In my old subdivision we had the same problem with the motorcycle and it was across the street and down more than a few houses. A bunch of us neighbors called the police and they dealt with him.
Good Luck. Aren't neighbors just so much fun!

Many have told you to talk to your neighbor because your friendly with them... It depends on how friendlly and understanding they are. Things tend to turn the other way when one neighbor tells or asks nicely for them to stop doing something. And believe me if you ask and they don't comply and "then" you call the police, they obviously will know who it is who made the complaint, thus making things that much rougher on you and your family. I say call the association first see if they can deal with it and if not then the police. Staying annonymous is KEY so there are no hard feelings. Treating someone how you would want to be treated is a golden rule, and personally I would rather have someone do it this way, because no matter what anyone says, there will be tension after something like this if not worse.
Good Luck Again!
J. in Macomb

Call the city. They will address this issue with your neighbors.

you can make an anonymous complaint with your local police department.