Neighbor's Noisy Dog!

Jennifer

So I live in a subdivision and my neighbors house is perpendicular to ours. His back yard is butted up against the side of our home. He has a German Shepherd that barks ALL.NIGHT.LONG! We love dogs and have a dog and I know you can't always control their behavior but I just can't believe he doesn't do anything. The neighbor doesn't come home a lot so maybe he's not there to be bothered with it? We have twins due in September and the nursery is also on the side of the house where the dog is (no other choice based on our layout) We are justified to file a noise complaint based on our county's laws but I really don't want to do it that way. What's the nicest way to address a neighbor that's letting their dog do this all night?! Help!!!