Can you help me with an issue, please?

I live in a detached house on a quiet "dead end" street. I have new neighbors living next to me. These neighbors have two dogs - one elderly, the other is a young German Shepherd. They are leaving the German Shepard on the back porch - unattended.

I love dogs (went over and gave them a "Welcome" basket filled with dog treats) I also love to garden.

He barks THE ENTIRE TIME I am gardening. I wear Air Pods and try to listen to podcasts but I literally cannot hear it. I honestly don't know how they can tolerate it?

How would you handle this situation? I want to get it right.

Thank you.

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Teirdalin · 31-35

Instead of being a normal person and helping myself, I decided to get ChatGPT to help.

It sounds like a challenging situation. Here are some steps you could consider taking to address it:

1) Approach your neighbors: Try talking to your neighbors in a friendly manner and express your concerns about the barking dog. Explain that you enjoy gardening, but the constant barking is making it difficult for you to concentrate. Suggest some solutions such as bringing the dog inside during certain times of the day, training the dog to reduce barking, or perhaps moving the dog to another location away from your garden.

2) Contact animal control: If talking to your neighbors does not work, you can contact your local animal control agency. They can assess the situation and determine if the barking dog is in violation of any noise or animal control ordinances. They can also provide advice on how to handle the situation and may be able to mediate a resolution between you and your neighbor.

3) Use noise-cancelling headphones: You mentioned that you wear Air Pods while gardening, but you can still hear the dog barking. Consider investing in noise-cancelling headphones that can help block out the noise.

4) Plant a hedge or install a fence: If the barking dog is causing you too much distress, consider planting a hedge or installing a fence to block out the sound. This may not be a perfect solution, but it could help to reduce the amount of noise that you hear.

Ultimately, it's important to handle the situation with kindness and understanding. Try to approach your neighbors with empathy and be open to finding a solution that works for everyone involved.