Upstairs neighbor problems, how should I handle it?

[Mapleleaf]

Recently a couple with two dogs moved into the upstairs suite where I live. The one dog is a terrier/poodle type dog and the other one is a German shepard cross whatever. The small one barks at almost EVERYTHING, and it has a loud high pitched bark that never fails to get on my nerves. They used to keep it in their bedroom, which is right above mine, and it used to bark in the morning, waking me up. I finally asked them if they could keep the dog somewhere else, which they did, then they started to keep the bigger dog in the same room and then that dog started to get upset and barked and howled, waking me up some more.

I brought that to their attention as well, but then they started to get real defensive about it. I work at a job from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM, which means that when I get home I stay up for a while, then I go to bed and sleep until the early afternoon. Those are my hours....that's the way it is, and that's they way it was long before they moved in. Then the husband suggested that I get up earlier if the barking bothers me. I said "wait a minute! I'm supposed to alter my lifestyle just to suit your dogs?" That to me sounds like a total load of bullcrap! I mean, I'm a grown man. I work for a living, I pay my rent and bills and I pay taxes.

 

The guy also thinks that the dog bylaw and the noise bylaw are one and the same. He thinks that a dog is allowed to bark during certain times from morning to night, like a noise bylaw. I inquired about that, and a dog bylaw requires that a dog owner is responsible for the dog's barking for the full 24 hours in a day. His wife also whined to me that landlord (who is not crazy about dogs) requires them to pay extra for their dogs, as if that's supposed to be my problem! Who asked them to bring dogs into this residence in the first place? They did keep their dogs out of the bedroom, but the smaller dog goes off unexpectedly when he hears something, which is quite often some nights, and I'm not talking about ordinary barking, I'm talking about something akin to "OOOWWW-RUH RUH RUH RUH"!!!! When that dog goes berserk like that, it makes me want to go berserk! It's LOUD! Lately it's been fairly quiet with very minimal barking, but it could start up again. There's also a problem of the bigger dog crapping in the back lot right behind where I park my truck and camper. I got so mad the other day that I scooped it up and pitched in their garden. I've asked them to keep that under control, but I guess I'll have to ask them again.

 

I'm trying to decide how to handle this. Should I go through the animal bylaw services where I live, or should I have a talk with my landlord? And speaking of my landlord, he has the basement windows nailed shut, which means if there was a fire, I wouldn't be able to get out quick enough. Those windows should be fixed to open quickly. It's not only very dangerous, but very illegal. If I lost my life because of that, my family probably could and probably would sue him for everything. This landlord has a reputation of being one of the cheapest and most irresponsible landlords where I live. The problem is that he may not do anything about these tenants and their problem dogs if it gets any worse if I report him to community services or the fire department. I'm normally a mellow and easy going kind of guy, but this whole thing has threatened to drive me over the edge! If there are any liberal dog owners here who think I should just tolerate it, then visit this link:http://www.barkingdogs.net/exposeindex.shtml Thanks for letting me rant.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Mapleleaf

[TheFinalWord]

Yes, go to the Landlord. Send an e-mail or leave a voice mail with the Landlord each time it happens.

 

Give the landlord three occasions to alter the behavior. If that does not change, state that you would like to re-sign the lease, but something has to be done with the dog situation. Landlords would typically rather keep the same tenant in the apartment as it saves money. Not much of a threat, but that is typically the most leverage you are going to get.

 

During my first two years of grad school, I lived underneath a bunch of kids that partied non-stop. They would blair their rap music until 5 am (when I have to get up) every night of the week. More than once I wanted to bolt 20 inch woofers to the celing and blast Metallica on full volume... I talked to the kids but they were so high I don't think my request computed lol I complained to the property manager, but it only did so much good. What I eventually did was get a white noise machine. It helped with blocking a lot of it out. I even considered buying one of those sound proof sleeping pods they use in Japan lol

 

This is one of the problems with apartment life. If you move again, take the upstairs...although upstairs has issues too.

[SweetiePie12]

Just move. You're going to make yourself look bad if you keep bickering and dumping feces in gardens. It's not worth it.

 

Plus, sounds like you're paying money to a slum lord. You don't have to live that way. Take a look around, check out your options, and you will be amazed by how much better you'll feel (plus not resent spending money for an uncool situation).

[Star Gazer]

Talk to your landlord, and don't stop talking to your landlord about it. In my old apartment community and in my current condo community (which has more than half renters), they have a no-tolerance policy when it comes to noise, regardless of the hour. The ordinances are simply when law enforcement can get involved; your landlord may be much more strict.

[creighton0123]

Here is what I did in a similar situation:

 

1. Talked to the owners (you already did this) to try to resolve. Dogs often bark because they are lonely. Ask them to keep NPR on or something to provide the dogs with a distraction inside. I've never seen that not reduce barking.

2. Keep a journal where you mark what time and for how long the dogs are barking. Do this for a week. Record it on an audio recorder if you have one.

3. Go to the landlord with the journal and recording to show him how bad it really is.

 

If nothing changes, keep going to the landlord. If nothing changes, go to your town/city hall to see exactly what you can do about it. Read your lease. They may be in violation.

 

As for the basement windows, that point might be somewhat moot. In most areas, basement apartments with street level windows have security allowances, where a landlord can either prevent the windows from opening or install a cage around the windows to prevent break in. It might be perfectly legal.

 

I would suggest that if you're up to resign your lease, take some time to think about it and find a better place that is not pet-friendly.

[MsSmurf]

When I have a noise problem such as this I don't even waste time talking to the neighbors. I don't give a rats rear if its animals, babies, music, or heavy walkers I don't want to hear it. I go straight to the landlord. If it is after hours then I notify after hours security and they will then notify the landlord. I had a similar problem last year and I just complained every single time there was an issue. Finally the landlord gave the upstairs neighbor 2 options.... knock it off or get out.

 

Although since you know that your landlord has a reputation of cutting corners then you may not get far with him and have to go the fair housing board in your area.

[Mapleleaf]

Thanks for the replies. I don't believe in just moving out every time there's an issue. I guess I'm more old school about fighting for my rights. Eventually I will find a better place when I can afford it. As for the dog feces problem, I had the same problem with the former next door neighbors dog hopping our fence and doing it's business on our lawn. I simply scooped it up and pitched it back in their yard and after that I had no more problems with them. I don't care how it makes me look, some people just need a taste of their own medicine. As for the basement window thing, that is far from being moot. For example, if I woke up to a house filled with smoke and fire, I would have two panes of glass to smash through in a situation where seconds count, and if I managed to do that without being overcome by smoke I could risk cutting my wrist or neck open from broken glass and bleed to death. We have very strict laws about dogs and fire/safety hazards where I live. I might have a friendly chat with the guy upstairs about maybe getting a TV or a radio for the dog in order to keep it more entertained. They are nice people in most ways, but just a bit ignorant about raising dogs. Eventually I would like to get a place with no other tenants in the building when I can afford it.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Mapleleaf

[2sure]

Dogs barking when alone is a commn problem. And I don't care if you live in an apartment or a house, it has nothing to do with noise ordinances. A barking dog is considered a violation when it becomes an annoyance to others. Time doesn't matter. I am an animal right advocate. I will not abide an unattended or incessantly barking dog.

 

You do have pencil circumstances though. You live in a pet friendly building. Many landlords do not allow dogs. Yours does. So, you have to be ok with a certain amount of barking and some poop. On occasion . Also, you work a shift that requires you to sleep when most people are awake and working outside the home.

 

You both have to accommodate each other. It's the joy of living in multiple unit housing. You need to wear ear plugs and / or get a white noise machine. If the barking is that incessant , tape record it. They may have to purchase a device which deters barking my emitting a sound dogs dont like.

 

They need to pick up after their dogs every single time. If they miss a spot nice in awhile, get over it or mention it so they can clean it up.

 

The windows on the basement? Unless you are in public housing , or want to be evicted..you're going to have to buy a house to love problems like this.

[SweetiePie12]

I don't believe in just moving out every time there's an issue.

 

Well, how often do you have issues? How frequently do you move? Do you aspire toward home ownership?

 

I guess I'm more old school about fighting for my rights.

 

Pick your battles wisely!

 

Eventually I will find a better place when I can afford it.

 

Amen.

 

As for the dog feces problem, I had the same problem with the former next door neighbors dog hopping our fence and doing it's business on our lawn.

 

Get some signs that say: "Please don't fertilize our lawn". There should be a fine for such irresponsible lack of poop scooping in your community, no?

 

I might have a friendly chat with the guy upstairs about maybe getting a TV or a radio for the dog in order to keep it more entertained.

 

Not sure these people will take too kindly to your dog parenting uninvited suggestions...

 

Eventually I would like to get a place with no other tenants in the building when I can afford it.

 

Oh, yes, I think you'll be happy living on a farm of your own with no neighbors...

[Mapleleaf]

No offense, Sweetiepie12, but it sounds like you're suggesting that I act like a spineless wimp. I'm just not wired that way. There are too many gutless complacent people who will put up with anything just to avoid confrontations. I nicely asked the neighbor next door to please contain her dog, but she ignored my request. When people continue to be ignorant, then it's time to turn up the heat a little. People who are too lazy or ignorant to control their canines are the ones who should move to a farm.

Edited June 1, 2013 by Mapleleaf

[SweetiePie12]

I nicely asked the neighbor next door to please contain her dog

 

How does one do that? With a muzzle?

[Mapleleaf]

How does one do that? With a muzzle?

 

I was referring to the next door neighbor who kept letting her dog hop the fence and crap on our lawn....not the upstairs neighbors with the barking dog. She and her BF were rumored to be crack addicts, and they would even let their dogs run around the neighborhood at large. They probably didn't even scoop their own backyard for the dog to have a clear place to relieve itself. Just another example of irresponsible dog owners. Some people shouldn't be allowed to have dogs if they don't take full responsibility for them. I actually like dogs (and cats...I have two cats myself) it's irresponsible owners I can't stand.

Edited June 1, 2013 by Mapleleaf

[Taramere]

Lately it's been fairly quiet with very minimal barking, but it could start up again. There's also a problem of the bigger dog crapping in the back lot right behind where I park my truck and camper. I got so mad the other day that I scooped it up and pitched in their garden. I've asked them to keep that under control, but I guess I'll have to ask them again.

 

Barking dogs are an irritation for sure. For the person who suggested you go and live in an isolated spot in the country...don't be so sure. I was brought up in the country and I still recall the pain of a cockerel crowing throatily outside my bedroom window (right outside) from 5am onwards every single morning. On one particular morning I was overtaken by a psychopathic wave of real anger. I got up and chased it with a stable brush, and God help it if I'd caught it - but I tripped during the chase and sprained my ankle, while he scrambled up a dungheap and began crowing triumphantly.

 

After that, I made sure that c*nt-hatted noise machine was locked up in the hen house every night, well away from the house, and wasn't allowed out until a reasonable hour in the morning. Obviously with your neighbour's dog you don't have an option like that. However, it's positive that lately the barking has become minimal. I don't think you should miss the opportunity to express appreciation for that to your neighbours.

 

I've generally found with kids, animals, people - actually, almost everything bar uncontrollably noisy cockerels - that when you express your appreciation for considerate behaviour you tend to get a lot more of it. Of course, noting with gratitude that the barking has calmed down won't necessarily solve the dogsh*t problem...but it might, in terms of encouraging more generally considerate behaviour from your neighbours.

 

You can't train your neighbours' dog, unfortunately, but you can maybe use a few positive reinforcement techniques to train your neighbours themselves. It's never going to be the ideal, peaceful environment you want, but if it continues to improve as you mentioned it has of late, it will hopefully get to a level that's tolerable for you.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Taramere