Work-from-home neighbor feels the family beyond the wall doesn't care about their dog's separation anxiety, leaving him barking for hours: 'They haven't done anything to change the situation'

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Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Nov 19, 2025 11:00 AM EST

We don't think we can make it clearer that we love dogs in here. We feel like it's important to say that, because we have to admit - not all things dogs do are 100% amazing. And that's okay to admit. We all do things that are not exactly perfect, and dogs are no different when it comes to this. Because dogs are complex creatures, with feelings and consciousness, and the good comes with the bad (even though they sure are good boys and girls almost all of the time).

With all that being said, when a doggo doesn't behave correctly, it's mostly not their fault. Dogs need guidance and support from their family, their beloved hoomans. And the people who adopt dogs but don't step up for the occasion are (how will we say it gently?) not deserving of their delightful doggo.

Take this one case, for example: A work-from-home person complains of the neighbor's dog, because he doesn't stop barking for hours during the day. The person isn't mad about the dog, even though a situation like that is maddening. But he has all the right to be mad at the pawrents - if your dog has such severe separation anxiety and you don't do anything about it, it's 100% on you.

Just as no person should hear a dog screaming all day long, no dog deserves to live like this - anxious, sad, untreated. When people adopt a dog into their family, they need to live and breathe the responsibility. That's another life you took in - act like it.

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  • 01
    Hello! I live in a decent sized apartment complex with concrete walls between units, so I've almost never heard my neighbors talking, watching tv, playing music or even their baby.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 02
    The only thing I can hear is the dog (3 y/o weimaraner) howling, sometimes for hours straight, whenever his humans aren't home.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 03
    I've talked to the neighbors about it a few times. I left a note when they first moved in letting them know the dog is having separation anxiety
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 04
    (I wasn't sure if they were aware since they were at work) with some tips for helping him feel more comfortable home alone from my years working in pet care.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 05
    I included my phone number so they'd know it was friendly, not combative. That was 18 months ago.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 06
    The howling improved slightly right after that convo, but it still happens for hours a day...most days.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 07
    I work from home and am not super social, so I'm very aware of his howling schedule.
    via AccomplishedBit5680

  • Working from home has its ups and downs, but when you can't control the working environment's volume - that's just all downs. Dogs, pets, or not - no person should have to deal with something like that.

  • 08
    It's a young couple (early 20s I'd guess) with a baby and they're super friendly, but I haven't talked with them much beyond saying hi.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 09
    The neighbors' parents live in the complex as well, and I guess when other tenants have complained about the dog to the office, her mom dismissed it saying "you'd tell them if it was a problem
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 10
    still." I've texted the neighbor a few more times when he seems exceptionally stressed, but I'm obviously not going to text her daily to say the dog is howling.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 11
    I'm getting pretty fed up with it but I'm not sure how to address it at this point.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 12
    I don't want bad blood with my neighbors if I complain to the management company. But I also don't know how to go about it
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 13
    more directly with the neighbors, because they haven't done anything to change the situation in the year+ they've been here.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 14
    Sometimes they're just at the pool, where you can definitely hear the howling, and don't seem bothered by it.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 15
    It's become a lot more apparent to me in recent months because I've had a few different house-sitters and guests staying with me who comment on how sad and annoying it is to listen to the dog for hours.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 16
    He's a big energetic dog who probably needs more exercise during the day. Should I leave the situation alone?
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 17
    Chat with other neighbors to see if the howling bothers them as well? Report to the office?
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 18
    Text the neighbor again? I'm expecting some "get over it, it's an apartment" and some "omg get their dog taken away" responses, but I'm more interested in the gray area.
    via AccomplishedBit5680
  • 19
    dog barking loudly
    via @travelarium

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 20
    LadyCass79 Not OR No one should have to listen to a dog scream all day and the dog shouldn't have to live that way either. The apartment should require them to create solution and that CAN be them getting rid of a dog they are obviously not doing the work to care for but it doesn't have to be. They could
    via LadyCass79
  • 21
    hire a friend to keep him during the day or sign up for a dog. daycare. What is apparent is that they are not going to do something without being prompted. You could offer to pet sit for a small fee if you are home.
    via LadyCass79

  • These solutions are valid, given that the family isn't willing to take steps towards solving the situation. Living in an apartment, close to other people, means you need to take other people into consideration. People can't just do what they want.

  • 22
    West-Protection-6327 Yeah true
    via West-Protection-6327

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