Bad neighbors!?

Ok, so I am hoping that you are allowed to have a dog in your apt.

Next, I had the same problem with my neighbor who also left a note saying that my dogs barked all day since yesterday even though I received the note the first day I moved in. Anyway...

If you live in an apartment that is inside a planned community check the CC&Rs regarding noise ordinances. If you are not violating them, then you don't have a problem.

If not, check your lease agreement. If the landlord states something specific where your dog cannot bark or be loud at ANY time then you'll have to control its barking. If the agreement just states something general regarding noise in terms of paralleling the same ordinance that the city has then check it out (you can via the city's website or call) and see what it is. As long as the you're not violating anything then there shouldn't be a problem.

Since I live in a planned community the way I resolved my issue was checking with my landlord, the association president, the CCRs, and then looking up the general city ordinance. I made sure my dogs weren't making any noise between 10pm and 7am. Anything in between was fair game but I also tried to control my dogs somewhat whenever I could. The "friendly" neighbor never revealed her/himself to me so I left a note outside my door saying that I did not violate any ordinances and if he/she has a problem to make sure to speak with me to address the issue responsibly.

I haven't heard from that neighbor since then.

Make sure you are well informed and know your rights, you don't want it to escalate towards something worse.

Good luck!

First, I would talk to the manager right away. Explain that you are sincerely working on the problem and ask for his patience. Most landlords and apt. managers know that when someone first moves in it takes a minute for the 'dust to settle". One of the first things I would try is leaving the bedroom door open so the dog knows the voices are not in your apartment. If the door is closed, it might sound to her like someone is in the apartment. Maybe leaving the crate downstairs with a view to both or either of your entry doors would help. If this doesn't work, hire a trainer to come to the home and work with you. But first and foremost, let the manager know that you are concerned with correcting the problem! I would also let the neighbors know too!

Go to the apartment manager and explain that the neighbors are very loud and it sets your dog off.If possible get a taperecorder and tape the noise you hear so he can hear it too.Then tell him that if they'd not make so much noise the dog would not bark as you never got any complaints at your last residence.

Also it'd be good if you left a tape recorder running while you're gone.Once that's only voice activated. Don't leave anything on like the t.v. or radio. Then you can hear what's going on while you're away.

I'm sorry, but I have to side with your landlord on this one.

Your neighbors may plod loudly and they may converse while they walk, but these are all noises that one expects to deal with when they live in apartments. Hey, I hate the sound of large trucks when they drive past on my street, but are they being rude? No, it's a street and truck are part of normal traffic that one expects to deal with when they live near the street. A barking dog, however, is one of those sounds that are considered a disturbance if it persists. Your landlord has a legal obligation to take reasonable measures to ensure that everyone has the "right of enjoyment" of their property. He could actually be sued if he didn't ask you to do something about the dog barking. I'm afraid there isn't much you can do in this case, but teach your dog to whisper.

MOVE!!!!

seriously start saving your money big time - eat soup, cut off the cable.. make home ownership your # 1 goal. That way you NEVER have landlords to deal with.. and wont be throwing your money away... PLUS your pets can have a yard...

you would have to prove it is not your dogs barking.. you can try complaining about the noise in the stair well but over all... move out!

I think that I would leave a tape recorder on for a couple of days or a video camera, to prove if it is or isn't barking. Don't you just love neighbor's like that?

EDIT: This possibly would catch the noise your neighbor's are making on the stairs.

SPeak with the Manager, and tell him that you never had any complaints before.

Get Previous references if you can from your old Landlord or neighbors.

Try keeping a TV or radio on in the room she is on, or a fan or purifier.

To drown her barking out if in fact she is barking. (Which I doubt)

If your dog is in your lease or agreement, he cannot make you get rid of your dog, or kick you out. You're safe, but talk to him about it.

I would do what cheryl said. video is the best way the see what is happening. to show the dog is/or isn't barking because there of the herd of cattle in the stairwell.=)

neighbors are great huh!

good luck

The same thing happened to me, except I was allowed to have dogs. Eventually, the manager will threaten to evict you, or even worse, your dog. BTW, for future reference, always, always, always make sure you are allowed to have a dog there. He should be on your lease. Anyway, what I did is I actually got a lawyer, and the lawyer sent the manager a letter telling them to leave me alone. It worked....the apt manager left me alone and dropped the whole thing. Regardless, you'll eventually need a lawyer if this keeps up, so you may want to contact one ASAP

although you are in the right, your situation is hopeless. paying humans trump barking dogs every time. i would consider a professional trainer for your dogs barking and maybe even not crating him any more. unleash the beast...GL to ya'll, and i'm feelin' you. it's just one of those deals you can't win at.