How to Write a Letter to Your Neighbor About Their Barking Dog (Sample Included)

Does your neighbor’s dog barking drive you nuts? Does the dog bark incessantly? If you find yourself in a situation in which your neighbor’s dog barks all the time and its owner doesn’t seem to do anything about it, good news, you have some options that can help. While you might be tempted to yell at the dog or even your neighbor out of frustration, take a deep breath and try this before you get heated: Write your neighbor a barking dog complaint letter (sample below) … but be kind. Here’s how.

Should You Confront a Neighbor About Their Barking Dog?

Take a look at the situation and determine if the problem barking could be peacefully resolved with a friendly conversation with your neighbor. Is the barking truly as bad as you believe it to be? Have you heard other neighbors complain about the dog’s barking? Truth is, all dogs bark; it’s a way to communicate with other animals and humans, so you need to ascertain whether the dog’s barking is excessive. Does it bark all day and night? Can you hear the barking inside your home? How well do you know your neighbor? Well enough you can address the issue without it getting personal?

It’s important to consider your personal safety when addressing this type of issue with neighbors. No barking dog is worth risking your health and well-being over.

Write a Letter to Your Neighbor About their Dog’s Incessant Barking

If you don’t feel comfortable talking directly with your neighbor about their dog’s barking, a letter might be a better approach. The letter doesn’t have to be long and should follow these tips:

Date the letter and save a copy.
Never use all caps when writing as this can be viewed as shouting at the reader.
Be specific about when their dog barks, note the days and times.
Don’t make assumptions. For all you know, your neighbor is away when their dog goes into a barking frenzy or they’re unaware their dog is barking like a fool.
Avoid accusations or calling your neighbor names.
Remain calm, cordial, and in control of your words. There’s no reason for profanity or yelling, even if it’s in writing.
Keep in mind, many pet owners view their furry friends as part of the family, so it’s essential you are sensitive in your approach.

Sample Barking Dog Complaint Letter

Dear Neighbor,

I am your neighborr at 123 Anchor Street. I’m sorry I haven’t taken the time to introduce myself and family to you, but my name is Sam and I’ve lived at this address with my wife and two children for a little over a year.

I’ve noticed the dog in your yard starts to bark very early in the morning, starting at around 6 a.m. The barking continues for the next few hours, so I thought I should bring it to your attention, as you may not be home during this time and, therefore, may be unaware.

Unfortunately, even inside our home with windows and doors closed, the noise seems quite noticeable. It makes sleeping in the early morning hours difficult.

I love dogs and don’t mean to cause you any anxiety over this situation. I just wanted to inform you of this in the hopes that you can find a solution to our problem.

With kind regards,

Sam

If you know the neighbor well, replace the word neighbor with their name, so the letter doesn’t come off cold. On the other hand, if you want to anonymously write a neighbor about a barking dog, remove your address and other identifying info. What if your letter fails to change the situation? You might want to consider filing a complaint with your local authorities.

How to Stop Your Dog From Barking

What if you’re THAT neighbor with a nuisance barker? What if it’s your beloved dog that’s driving the neighborhood crazy? If your neighbors reach out to you about your dog’s constant barking it’s time to do something about your pet’s behavior. The combination of the BarxBuddy ultrasonic training tool and positive reinforcement training can go a long way at reducing and eliminating unwanted behavior, like barking, in dogs. Of course, you must be realistic in that your dog’s barking won’t stop overnight, but with some patience, practice, and consistency you can make life better for you, your pet, and your neighbors. For more information on barking and other dog issues, be sure to check out our pet and training resources at BarxBuddy.com.