[Sophia M.]

Front Porch Forum: "Sleepless in the Suburbs" (07/12/2025)​

Loud dog barking at night. Image source: Pexels

Pull up a seat, GrayViners! This letter from “Sleepless in the Suburbs” has us all ears. When a neighbor’s dog turns bedtime into a nightly test of patience, what’s fair to expect—and what’s just part of living close to others? Read on and weigh in: What’s your best advice for finding peace and quiet when barking keeps you up?

Hello, TGV!

I’m hoping you can give me some perspective. I’m at my wit’s end but I don't know if I’m being too fussy. For the past few months, my next-door neighbors have had a dog that seems to bark almost non-stop every night. It usually starts up around 10pm to midnight, but sometimes goes on for hours, right into the early hours of the morning.

I know dogs bark (I’m not completely heartless), and I understand that pets can get a bit unsettled. But it’s gotten to the point where I’m struggling to get a proper night’s sleep. I’ve tried using earplugs, running white noise, and everything else short of moving away! I wake up tired, cranky, and it’s really affecting my health and peace of mind.

I’ve spoken to the neighbors politely a couple of times. They apologized and I could feel their sincerity. But nothing has really changed. I feel guilty for making a fuss and worry that I’m coming across as a grumpy old neighbor, but I just want to be able to sleep.

Other people I’ve mentioned it to say to just put up with it or “get used to it”, but I can’t see how it’s fair to expect that. Am I being unreasonable to expect a quiet night in my own home? Should I do more, or just learn to live with it?

Thanks for your advice,
Sleepless in the Suburbs

That’s the story for today, GrayViners. Have you ever lost sleep over a neighbor’s noisy pet, or found a solution that actually worked? How did you balance keeping the peace with looking after your own rest? Share your stories and suggestions below. And if you’re facing a neighborly challenge of your own, start a conversation here.

 

[Rusty Vale]

I feel sorry for you. Since you have talked to them and nothing has changed, I would start recording it. Im sure the police may talk to them, but they're not willing to change. A recording of several nights, take it to the authorities. Good luck.

 

[Spring]

A bark deterrant that gives out a high pitched whistle that is not discernible to humans but it is to dogs. It makes them shutup but make sure you have one with a suitable range, measure how far away the dog is from your bedroom window. They are sold on Amazon. They don't hurt the dog, but it hurts his ears and quits when he quits barking. If the dog is too far for it to work, see if your neighbors would consider putting it in their yard

 

[Spring]

Better yet, show them where they can buy one on Amazon and see if they will be good neighbors and purchase this. I feel bad for the dog, sounds like they threw him in the backyard and forgot about him.