What to do when the neighbors complain about your dog...
Here's some personal advice from a dog owner who also happens to be a real estate agent. (Please note: I am not a lawyer. This is personal, not legal advice.)
First, when you move into your apartment you need to practice some pet diplomacy, and if you've already moved in, it's not too late.
The first thing I do when I move into a new apartment is leave a note for the surrounding neighbors (downstairs included). This may or may not be appropriate for your situation, but it goes like this:
"Hi! I'm your new neighbor. I'm so happy to be in the building. I just wanted you to know that I have a dog. He usually behaves, but this is a new place and I wanted you to have my number in case there's any problem. Please feel free to call me any time. Sincerely..."
Keep in mind that even if your dog isn't a barker (or scratcher), he/she or they may still freak out in a new place. if you suspect this is is possible, I'd suggest taking a few test runs to see what happens if your dog is left alone.
The best case scenario is nothing. The middle scenario is that he or she gets separation anxiety at first, but it goes away. The worst case scenario is that the separation anxiety is really bad and it doesn't dissipate.
If you suspect high possibility for the middle, you might want board your dog or get a pet sitter for the first week or so after you move in. (I know, it might be costly.)
Why?
Well, imagine this scenario: You move in, and on your first day out of the house all heck breaks loose and you get a million notes and complaints from the neighbors. (In my case it's always the one crazy neighbor who everyone else has had trouble with too!) Still... not good.
Scenario two is that you wait a week or so... then suddenly get a complaint from the landlord, super or management company. So you say,
"Oh that's weird... but I left the neighbor a note. I don't know why he or she didn't contact me directly. If he or or she can contact me so I can get a better idea what's going on and try to figure out what's going on. In the meantime can you let me know how long this has been going on for and when it happens? Is it just a few minutes after I leave, all day, when there's someone coming from the elevator? I'm so sorry about this, and I'd really like to find a solution."
Scenario three is that you get a message from the neighbor. You must reply immediately, "I am so sorry about this. This is very surprising. Can you let me know how often this is happening and when it occurs? Was it just...?" You then need to quickly assess the situation and offer a clear action plan. Among other things you need to determine whether this is just a crazy neighbor who likes to complain, or a neighbor who is legitimately asserting their right to peace and quiet. One action includes monitoring your apartment with a pet camera, or even using your iPad along with Zoom for the same purpose.) That will also give you a better idea whether "Your dog barks non-stop all day," means that the dog literally barks non-stop all day, or that the dog whimpered once for three seconds at 2:00 PM.
Once you're clear on the situation, get to work. Determine whether this is a short term adjustment problem, or something that needs to be worked on in the long term. Determine whether you need to contact your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist, or try simple fixes on your own, for example, acclimating your pet used to you being gone little by little, exiting the house with less drama and gravitas, or implementing some kind of training approach. In our case, the dogs (plural) settled down after a week or so once they got used to our schedule. Now they prefer to sleep all day and barely notice when we leave.
Now, in the event that you've been in the apartment building for a while, and have managed to stir up a mob, consider a fresh start approach. That might mean boarding the dog for a week or so. Give the dog (dogs or menagerie) a "cool down" period, and in the meantime work out a strategy then let the neighbor know that you're being pro-active with the problem, but just need a little time. ("Did you hear any barking last week? You see... the situation is improving. Just please give me a little more time to work on it.")
This leads to two final points:
Prove yourself likable, repectable and responsible, and hopefully the situation will resolve itself without escalating to noise complaints, eviction threats and legal problems. And if it does you may very well need the number of a good lawyer. Hopefully it doesn't get to that.
resources:
Good Pet Citizen Test Program (AKC)
Dog Parent Etiquette
Certified Dog Trainers
DISCLAIMER: Again, this is personal, not legal advice. Please consult with a lawyer if you need to know your rights and liabilities as a tenant.
First, when you move into your apartment you need to practice some pet diplomacy, and if you've already moved in, it's not too late.
The first thing I do when I move into a new apartment is leave a note for the surrounding neighbors (downstairs included). This may or may not be appropriate for your situation, but it goes like this:
"Hi! I'm your new neighbor. I'm so happy to be in the building. I just wanted you to know that I have a dog. He usually behaves, but this is a new place and I wanted you to have my number in case there's any problem. Please feel free to call me any time. Sincerely..."
Keep in mind that even if your dog isn't a barker (or scratcher), he/she or they may still freak out in a new place. if you suspect this is is possible, I'd suggest taking a few test runs to see what happens if your dog is left alone.
The best case scenario is nothing. The middle scenario is that he or she gets separation anxiety at first, but it goes away. The worst case scenario is that the separation anxiety is really bad and it doesn't dissipate.
If you suspect high possibility for the middle, you might want board your dog or get a pet sitter for the first week or so after you move in. (I know, it might be costly.)
Why?
Well, imagine this scenario: You move in, and on your first day out of the house all heck breaks loose and you get a million notes and complaints from the neighbors. (In my case it's always the one crazy neighbor who everyone else has had trouble with too!) Still... not good.
Scenario two is that you wait a week or so... then suddenly get a complaint from the landlord, super or management company. So you say,
"Oh that's weird... but I left the neighbor a note. I don't know why he or she didn't contact me directly. If he or or she can contact me so I can get a better idea what's going on and try to figure out what's going on. In the meantime can you let me know how long this has been going on for and when it happens? Is it just a few minutes after I leave, all day, when there's someone coming from the elevator? I'm so sorry about this, and I'd really like to find a solution."
Scenario three is that you get a message from the neighbor. You must reply immediately, "I am so sorry about this. This is very surprising. Can you let me know how often this is happening and when it occurs? Was it just...?" You then need to quickly assess the situation and offer a clear action plan. Among other things you need to determine whether this is just a crazy neighbor who likes to complain, or a neighbor who is legitimately asserting their right to peace and quiet. One action includes monitoring your apartment with a pet camera, or even using your iPad along with Zoom for the same purpose.) That will also give you a better idea whether "Your dog barks non-stop all day," means that the dog literally barks non-stop all day, or that the dog whimpered once for three seconds at 2:00 PM.
Once you're clear on the situation, get to work. Determine whether this is a short term adjustment problem, or something that needs to be worked on in the long term. Determine whether you need to contact your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist, or try simple fixes on your own, for example, acclimating your pet used to you being gone little by little, exiting the house with less drama and gravitas, or implementing some kind of training approach. In our case, the dogs (plural) settled down after a week or so once they got used to our schedule. Now they prefer to sleep all day and barely notice when we leave.
Now, in the event that you've been in the apartment building for a while, and have managed to stir up a mob, consider a fresh start approach. That might mean boarding the dog for a week or so. Give the dog (dogs or menagerie) a "cool down" period, and in the meantime work out a strategy then let the neighbor know that you're being pro-active with the problem, but just need a little time. ("Did you hear any barking last week? You see... the situation is improving. Just please give me a little more time to work on it.")
This leads to two final points:
- Hopefully it's not too late, but whatever you do, don't lie about pets on your lease. That amplifies the problem and makes you vulnerable when there are complaints. On the other hand, if the landlord allows dogs, he or she should have been aware that dogs bark, and there are even scenarios when the only reason your dog is barking is because another neighbor's dog is barking non-stop, and that definitely isn't you or your dog's fault. (This is why being in a building that allows pets is better than persuading a landlord to suddenly accept pets for the first time!)
- Be a good Pet Owner Citizen. Ally yourself with other pet owners in the building, and engage in responsible pet ownership. That means keeping your dog leashed (as appropriate), not allowing him or her to jump up and lunge at people when they pass by, and certainly, always cleaning up after your pet. In fact, keep the bags visible so all the neighbors know that *you're* not the awful poop bandit.
Prove yourself likable, repectable and responsible, and hopefully the situation will resolve itself without escalating to noise complaints, eviction threats and legal problems. And if it does you may very well need the number of a good lawyer. Hopefully it doesn't get to that.
resources:
Good Pet Citizen Test Program (AKC)
Dog Parent Etiquette
Certified Dog Trainers
DISCLAIMER: Again, this is personal, not legal advice. Please consult with a lawyer if you need to know your rights and liabilities as a tenant.
