“I Started Recording”: Sleep-Deprived Person Teaches Neighbor A Valuable Lesson

No matter how much you love dogs, incessant barking from next door will get under your skin. What’s worse is if the neighbor in question chooses to do nothing about the situation. 

A homeowner ticked both boxes during an encounter with a neighbor whose dog barked during odd hours of the night. After failed attempts to have an adult conversation, they hatched a clever and peaceful revenge plot that not only got the message across but also solved the problem in almost an instant. 

If you’ve experienced a similar headache, this story may resonate with you.

It can be irritating to live next to someone with a dog that barks incessantly during odd hours

Aggressive dog barking loudly with teeth exposed, highlighting proper dog owner etiquette for homeowners and neighbors.

Image credits: Dineshraj / flickr (not the actual photo)

For this homeowner, the neighbor’s dog barked nonstop during the wee hours of the morning

Homeowner teaching inconsiderate neighbor a lesson on proper dog owner etiquette with a barking dog outside bedroom.

Text showing a homeowner addressing an inconsiderate neighbor about proper dog owner etiquette after asking twice to bring the dog inside.

Text describing a homeowner teaching inconsiderate neighbor a lesson on proper dog owner etiquette by recording and playing back barking noise.

Homeowner smiling while holding coffee and checking phone, demonstrating proper dog owner etiquette at home.

Image credits: nebojsa_ki / envato (not the actual photo)

After failing to reason with the neighbor, the author took action through petty revenge

Homeowner teaches inconsiderate neighbor a lesson by addressing proper dog owner etiquette with peaceful actions.

Image credits: SaladUnlucky10

A dog’s excessive barking is usually within the owner’s control

Close-up of a dog barking outdoors showing proper dog owner etiquette in a homeowner and neighbor setting.

Image credits: Alan Levine / flickr (not the actual photo)

There are several reasons why a dog incessantly barks, but they are all within the owner’s control. In an interview with The Dodo, veterinarian Dr. Michelle Burch stated that it could be due to boredom, separation anxiety, or noises from small wildlife, such as squirrels or raccoons. 

However, some dogs may bark more frequently as they begin to lose their vision. As Dr. Burch explains, a telltale sign is that the barking occurs more regularly during the night. 

“You may also see your dog running into objects when they are placed in typical walking paths. Barking can be consistent and steady,” Dr. Burch stated. 

But whether the barking is driven by boredom, anxiety, or vision loss, Dr. Burch says it’s a way for the dog to get their owner’s attention. And in some cases, the owner’s response would be to try to drown out the noise, which may further agitate the dog. 

Part of a dog owner’s responsibility is to make sure that their pet is well taken care of to avoid it being a nuisance to the people around. 

If a barking episode persists, Dr. Burch advises investigating the cause. She also recommends mental stimulation through puzzle toys to obtain a treat, as well as daily hour-long exercises. 

Unfortunately, the neighbor refused to acknowledge the problem and dismissed it as normal. Understandably, the author wanted to take matters into their own hands and find a solution. 

In doing so, experts like Mary Randolph, J.D., advise approaching the matter peacefully, such as offering a compromise, writing a friendly note, or suggesting solutions that would benefit everyone involved. 

“Don’t rush into threatening legal action (or worse, illegal action). There will be plenty of time to discuss legal remedies if relations deteriorate,” Randolph wrote in an article for Nolo. 

The author didn’t seem to have other options at that point, and in their defense, the actions they took were harmless. Most importantly, it got the job done. 

Commenters lauded the author’s petty revenge plot, and some shared similar experiences

Screenshot of an online comment praising a homeowner teaching an inconsiderate neighbor about proper dog owner etiquette.

Comment on a homeowner teaching inconsiderate neighbor about proper dog owner etiquette by snapping photos silently.

Comment text about a homeowner teaching an inconsiderate neighbor proper dog owner etiquette using a bark stop device.

Comment from user describing a homeowner teaching a neighbor proper dog owner etiquette through a creative solution.

Homeowner uses flashlight to teach inconsiderate neighbor proper dog owner etiquette by controlling noisy dog behavior.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment about a homeowner addressing an inconsiderate neighbor’s dog owner etiquette.

Homeowner confronting inconsiderate neighbor over proper dog owner etiquette in a suburban neighborhood setting.

Comment about a neighbor teaching proper dog owner etiquette by controlling a barking dog and keeping it inside.

Homeowner uses a dog whistle nightly to teach inconsiderate neighbor about proper dog owner etiquette.

Comment describing a husband teaching a noisy neighbor a lesson, showcasing proper dog owner etiquette and neighborly respect.

Homeowner trains inconsiderate neighbor on proper dog owner etiquette using sound to stop excessive dog barking.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment about a homeowner teaching an inconsiderate neighbor proper dog owner etiquette using a bark sensor.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment reading No sleep for me? No sleep for YOU, illustrating a dog owner etiquette lesson.

Comment discussing a homeowner addressing a neighbor's barking dog issue by changing nightly walking routines.

User comment on a forum describing a petty way to teach inconsiderate neighbor dog owner etiquette by disturbing wake-up calls.

Homeowner confronting inconsiderate neighbor about proper dog owner etiquette to stop disruptive dog behavior.

Comment describing a homeowner's method using an electronic dog trainer to address a neighbor's untrained barking dog.

Homeowner takes action to teach inconsiderate neighbor proper dog owner etiquette in a shared living space.

Comment about neighbor’s inconsiderate dog barking and proper dog owner etiquette from a homeowner’s perspective.

Homeowner uses loud distorted music and sirens to teach inconsiderate neighbor proper dog owner etiquette.

Comment describing a homeowner dealing with noisy neighbors’ dogs by using mailbox squeaks late at night to teach dog owner etiquette.

Comment explaining how a homeowner teaches an inconsiderate neighbor a lesson on proper dog owner etiquette online.

Homeowner uses outdoor cam siren to teach inconsiderate neighbor a lesson on proper dog owner etiquette and noise control.

Comment describing a neighbor teaching a lesson on proper dog owner etiquette by using a device to play a song repeatedly.

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