my new neighbours are not dog lovers at all, theyve even complained about the dogs playing and making to much noise. they complained about my dog (2 of them belong to the people i live with) barking and howling constantly during the day (she was crated-until i was confident to leave her with the 2 other dogs as they only met 2 months ago)) so i told them i would take her out of that and them to report to me how she was, and they sed she was alot better and had not heard a thing, but then if there is a day when shes noisy, they complain immediately. They hadnt complained 4 2 weeks, and then they complained that the dogs were playing 2 noisily so we put the 2 in the kitchen and mine had the run of the house with a baby gate inbetween so they could still each other. i warned them they might whine and it was their decision if they wanted whining or playing and they opted for the whining and then complained.  i went to see a behaviourist and have had 2 consults, to let the neighbours see that im trying 2 do something about it. and then tonight, i came home and they came round with the post, as apparently the postman was too scared to post the letters and then we asked if they had been noisy once the postman had gone and they proceeded to tell us that they had been barking and howling all day. but the toys were out of the toy box and the bedding in the bed had been moved, so obviously the toys had been played with and my dog had gone to sleep for a cit during the day. sorry for the ramblings, but any suggestions would be gratefully received.

How long are they left alone for?

Are there other neighbours you can ask to see if they hear anything?

there are other neighbours tht i see around quite often, with and without dogs and theyve never said anything. i am out of the house for 9 hours, when at work. but the dogs arent left for more then 5 or 6 hours, depending on the shift that one of the other people in the house is working that day. they are walked before and after work and have toys to keep them amused. i hate leaving them that long, but it has to be done as i have to work

It's horrible to have neighbours who don't like dogs but I'm not sure that any neighbours would be easily placated by being given a choice between "whining or playing noisily" if what they'd actually wanted was not to be disturbed by your dogs in the first place. It's also quite possible for them to have been barking as well as playing while you are out so evidence that they've had their toys out doesn't actually mean they've been quiet. How long are they left alone in the day and is it possible for someone to come round and walk them while you are out? 

I cant say if it makes any difference or not - but I do leave the radio on loud enough for my dog to hear so that he doesnt hear every single other sound like people walking past etc and rush out barking.  I only have the one dog - I do have to leave him for the same amount of time but leave him with the music, a bone - marrow, stuffed kongs, toys and access to the garden.  My dog is small to medium as well so a 45 minute walk before I leave in the morning does mean he is a bit tired.  I also have pet gates so that he cant get into the hallway and therefore the door so he cant get anywhere near enough for the postman to see him or be nervous of him.  I'm sure there will be people with a lot more experience than me though that can provide better ideas - I've only had him for six weeks.  Best of luck, Max.

Can a friend pop round whilst your at work to see to the dogs? I would also get an impartial person to listen for the dogs making noises. What type of property are you in? Some houses have walls like paper and the slightest noise is heard. As for the postman, i would speak to your sorting office and see if this is a problem with the postie being frightened of the dogs or just the neighbours getting there first and saying that they will take the post for you. If they are frightened prehaps adapt your method of receiving post via an external postbox either at your gate or on the side of the property so they dont have to directly put their hand through your letterbox - that will sort that one out. I would seriously spend some time making an effort to record the dogs on a typical day to see how noisy they are, then you know where you stand on correcting/resolving any issues that arises. hth

How old are the dogs?

thanx for all the replies. mine is coming upto 2 and a half, the other 2 are both 8 months. and gsd (one of the 8 month old ones) is a persistant barker even when people are there. mine is extremly quiet while there are people are around, only a couple of barks when people come to the door. we live in a mid terrace, 2nd from the end. houses backing onto the garden, and across the one way st and no one else has said anything. they told me this morning, that the younger two adults have got to get rid of their dog, because the dad has the veiw that all dogs should be put to sleep. they have toys and stuffed kongs. the older one has the run of the house and the 2 younger ones have the kitchen. the radio is sometimes left on for them, depending who is the last person to leave the house

You have two puppies of eight months old, and you are leaving them for up to 9 hours a day?    Do they have any interaction with anyone else during that time?

Margot

the 2 pups are not mine, the older one is mine. they belong to the two people who i lodge with. i am out of the house for 9 hours a day, but the dogs are not left that long, it is maximum 6 hours but normally 4, as one of the people who i live with works shifts and therefor is at home either in the morning or the afternoon, where as the other person works 9-5, meaning that the dogs are only left either the morning or the afternoon.

If you are out of the house for 9 hours a day how much time do you get to spend actually doing things with your dog though? Because even though they might only be left for a morning or an afternoon, dogs need more than just someone being in the house. So unless they are all getting well exercised and stimulated by the human company that's around in between the various shift patterns theres a serious likelihood of having bored, noisy and destructive dogs.

they get training(advanced for mine, basic for the puppies), exercise and lots of cuddles. they also have kongs and toys. basically as much as they can have whie there are people are around. making me having a thought-could it be the two extremes that are making them noisy?

Hi

If I was in your situation I would give your local council a ring and find out exactly what constitutes a noise disturbance in regards to dogs, I did this after I got a letter delivered to me about noisy dogs (was mistakenly delivered to me and not the next door neighbours :rolleyes:) and this really put my mind at ease as there was no way that my dogs were causing a noise disturbance as I'm sure you will find in your case. If this is the case then you can speak to your neighbours about how dogs playing every now and again doesn't constitute an actual noise disturbance. Although it is best to try and get on with your neighbours and I can understand how you want to do that (the fact that you have tried your hardest so far to cut down on the little noise that they make shows this....moving dogs around, seperating them ect) some people just want their own way and cannot be pleased. Absolute silence is a rare commodity when you live in a place that actually has people let alone dogs.:)

When I read your post I clearly read that your dogs were left alone for no longer than 6 hours at a push, more likely 4 (in your second post).

Good luck trying to sort it out and keeping friends with the neighbours,

thanks for the very supporting message. there are children playing all day on the road, so i do not see how dogs playing can be the main issue! the neighbours are definately how you have described, everything is someone else's fault, like the dad saying that their dog has to have a new home, is aparently because of the noise coming from our house-do not see how that makes sense at all. I am trying to stay friends with the neighbours, but at points it can be very trying, because I can only apoligise and try my best to keep the noise to the minimum. I was at work this weekend, and my housemates have been in all day, and they both had a bit of a lie in, until 9am. I had left at 7am and the dogs had not made a sound, otherwise they would have been woken up. leading me to think the neighbours are definatley exaggerating how much noise is occuring