Do you hear the pitter-patter of little paws above your head? It can drive you barking mad! Upstairs, neighbor dogs scrambling around is no walk in the park.
According to a Vetirinarians.org survey, 76% of dog owners let their pups sleep in bed with them. So Fido is right there, ready to disturb your peace and quiet.
| Solution | Time Frame | Difficulty | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talk to Neighbor | Immediate | Easy | Free |
| Track with Logbook | Short-term | Easy | Free |
| Try Training Techniques | Short-term | Medium | Low |
| Establish Quiet Hours | Short-term | Medium | Low |
| Involve Landlord | Medium-term | Medium | Free |
| Use Noise-Canceling Headphones | Immediate | Easy | Moderate |
| Add Ceiling Soundproofing | Long-term | Hard | High |
| Contact Animal Control | Medium-term | Medium | Free |
| Move or Transfer Units | Long-term | Hard | High |
If an upstairs neighbor‘s energetic pooch is making a ruckus, try these 9 tips before you get doggone angry!
1. Check your lease
Before ruffling any fur, check your lease agreement for rules about noise and pets. If Rover is violating any clauses, you’ve got legal standing to chat with the landlord.
Politely point out the sections being broken and ask their help maintaining your right to quiet enjoyment.
Perhaps they can reach out on your behalf or at least give your complaint some “teeth.”
With the lease on your side, you’ve got law and order to resolve the “paw and disorder!”
2. Talk to your neighbor
Before getting your landlord involved, try chatting directly with the noisy neighbor first.
Don’t get your back up or be accusatory. Chances are good; they have no idea little Spot is disturbing the peace down below.
Simply explain what you’ve been hearing in a friendly way. Many folks want to be good neighbors and will remedy problems once aware.
You can say something like:
“Hey Steve, I wanted to give you a heads up that I’ve been hearing a lot of running and noise from your doggo upstairs in my unit recently. I’m sure you aren’t aware of it, but it’s been pretty disruptive, especially at night. Do you have any tips to keep him quieter or should we chat with the landlord to find a solution together?”
Most people appreciate a kind, direct request before getting the authorities involved. If they give you attitude instead, well, you know where they stand!
Bottom line, give your neighbor a chance to quiet old yapper before taking more drastic steps. But if they don’t fix Fido’s racket, it’s time to bring in the big dogs!
3. Keep a record
If chatting doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time to start gathering evidence.
Document exactly when those tippy taps start trouncing around. Note the times, dates, and duration of the ruckus.
You can use a notebook, spreadsheet, or even a barking noise complaint app. This creates a paper trail of just how disruptive this pup is.
With detailed records, you can show your landlord or property manager:
- It’s a frequent issue, not a one-off
- The noise happens during quiet hours
- It’s affecting your quality of life
They’ll be hard-pressed to ignore such a doggone air-tight case!
Having documentation also gives you a firm footing if you escalate to authorities down the road. Nobody can refute hard evidence of a continuous issue.
So be sure to diligently track Stubby’s noisemaking. It will really strengthen your position and argument that this problem needs to be addressed pronto.
4. Suggest training techniques
Before getting upset at the noisy nipper, see if some training tips could help. The neighbors might just need some friendly advice to correct Buddy’s behavior.
Suggest taking him for more walks and jogs to burn off energy.
Try games and puzzles to keep his mind engaged. New toys can provide an outlet for all that puppy exuberance.
Recommend crate training for times when the dog will be alone. This provides a safe space and reduces separation anxiety.
If the pooch seems especially rambunctious, advise professional training. An expert can assess behavior issues and teach the owners effective management techniques.
You could say:
“I’ve heard some great things about that dog trainer down the street. She might be able to help Buster burn off some of that crazy energy with fun activities. I’m happy to split the cost if you want to give her a try!”
With the right tools, many dogs can become less disruptive.
Don’t just complain about the problem – offer up solutions! The neighbors will likely appreciate your constructive support.
5. Establish quiet hours
If barking and scrambling occur at specific times, propose a quiet hours schedule.
Chat with your neighbors to set designated blocks for peace and quiet each day. For example:
- Morning quiet hours: 8 am – 10 am
- Evening quiet hours: 8 pm – 10 pm
During these times, agree to keep any noisy activity to a minimum, including a moratorium on roughhousing by Rover.
You can even buy a white noise machine to help block sounds in your apartment during noisy periods.
Having set quiet times makes expectations clear. Your neighbors know to avoid chaos during those blocks. And you get guaranteed chunks of calm.
If they violate the schedule, refer back to your documentation. Point out the quiet hours disruption to strengthen your case for addressing the problem.
With good faith compromise, you have a path to coexist despite the pitter-patter overhead.
6. Notify your landlord
If your neighbor won’t stop Fido’s ruckus, get the landlord involved.
Explain how the dog noise violates your right to quiet enjoyment of your unit.
Provide documentation showing the frequent disturbances, especially during quiet hours. Their responsibility is to all tenants, including you.
A good landlord will follow up with the noisy neighbor to enforce noise rules. They may issue warnings or fines. If the problem continues, they could attempt to evict.
Don’t feel bad – the pet owner is in the wrong by breaching agreements. You deserve to live in your home without constant disruption.
As a last case, consult your local tenant resources. They can advise your rights and help apply pressure if the landlord drags their heels.
With the authorities on your side, the neighbors will be hard-pressed to ignore the racket. It’s time to get some peace and quiet!
7. Use noise-canceling headphones
Dealing with the noise long-term can be ruff.
While working on a permanent solution, reduce your agony with noise-canceling headphones.
They won’t eliminate the neighborhood noisemaker. But active noise cancellation technology can muffle scrambling and barking.
Over-ear headphones work best to surround your ears. But in-ear buds like AirPods Pro also employ effective noise blocking.
This technology makes loud pups more bearable when you must focus. It’s a temporary bandaid, not a cure. But it can save your sanity!
So before shouting at the ceiling or moving out, try some canceling cans.
Along with other methods, it can restore some calm until you convince neighbors or landlords to control Cujo. Your ears will thank you!
8. Soundproof your ceiling
If Fido’s ruckus rages on, soundproofing could help dampen the impact downstairs.
Adding mass and density to your ceiling can block noise transmission. Options include:
- Second layer of drywall
- Insulation like Roxul Safe’n’Sound
- Noise-reducing mats or panels
- Removing popcorn ceilings for a smoother surface
A handyman can install these materials to create a noise barrier. It adds cost and work to your unit.
But soundproofing gives you direct control instead of relying on others.
The goal is not total noise cancellation – just reducing nuisance levels so you can function. With dogged determination, you can transform that noisy ceiling into a quieter oasis!
But soundproofing is a last resort if no other tactics succeed. Exhaust easier and cheaper solutions first before major construction.
Hopefully, Fido fatigues before you reach this point!
9. Contact animal control
If the ceiling scampering continues despite your best efforts, seek outside help. Many municipalities have noise and nuisance animal laws.
Call animal control and report chronic disturbances from your neighbor’s pooch. Provide your documentation as evidence of the ongoing disruption.
An officer will usually follow up with a warning citation.
If the owners refuse to correct the behavior, fines may be issued. In extreme cases, the pet could be removed.
You want little yapper to calm down – not punished or parted from their family. So only contact animal control after exhausting all neighborly options first.
But you deserve peace, so don’t hesitate to report violations once other tactics fail. Within legal bounds, use every solution possible to hush those pesky pup sounds!
10. Move or transfer units
If no amount of noise reduction or complaints work, moving may be your final recourse.
Explain the situation to your rental company and request a unit transfer. A ground-floor or top-floor apartment could provide relief.
If they refuse, look for a new building altogether. Tour thoroughly and ask about insulation before signing any lease.
Moving disrupts your life and costs money.
So only take this last resort once you’ve exhausted all other options.
But your home should be a restful sanctuary. If the puppy ruckus remains untamed, finding a quieter space may be the sanest choice!
Your neighbors and landlord have failed their duty. So do what’s best for your lifestyle, even if it means moving on.
Stay persistent, and don’t surrender your right to peaceful living. With dogged tenacity, you will resolve this situation one way or another!
Conclusion
Loud dogs in upstairs apartments can really get your growl! But don’t throw in the chew toy yet.
With patience and persistence, you can hush those pesky pups. Start by kindly communicating with your neighbor. If that flops, firmly assert your rights with your landlord.
Arm yourself with logbooks, noise apps, and soundmasks. Seek mediation or legal intervention if needed.
Exhaust all avenues before admitting defeat. But sometimes, the only fix is finding a quieter den.
Prioritize your peace of mind. You deserve to relax and unwind at home. Don’t let inconsiderate pets or people ruin your sanctuary!
Stay strong and take action. With time and teamwork, you can outsmart those noisy neighbors and win back your quiet life!
