need ideas with our neighbors.

The Beau has lived in his house just over a year. And we love the house, love the location, HATE the neighbors dogs. We have seen these neighbors maybe 3 times in a year... We think he moved out and she works nights but arent 100% sure.
We have a very nice patio and love to be outside on it, but we have always had a problem with the dogs barking. But the house hadnt been lived in for a while so we just figured you know the dogs are getting used to the noises of neighbors. Well it did get a little better, they were only bad when we first pulled into the driveway after that it was pretty calm.
Recently they have added a 3rd dog, ugh more barking. But after a few weeks it got better. Now one of them, a smaller terrier type mix has figured out how to get under the fence... it sat outside and barked at the fence until 2:30AM on night and I called animal control on them, but we think it got back under the fence because it shut up, and we never heard from animal control and the dog was back out the next morning. This dog does not like people... I have tried to get it to come to me may times. It does look a little skinny, but that could be the type of breeds its mixed with because it almost looks like a large italian greyhound mix.
But it gets worse! They also have a boxer mix, again very afraid of people, that can jump the fence, and will jump up on the fence and bark at us over it... so annoying. It was in our yard barking at the other neighbors kids the other day and I went out and ran it off. Then I went inside and wrote a very polite letter basically saying "your dog jumps the fence and I'm afraid it will get hit by a car!" you know making it sound like I was more worried than annoyed at them. Signed my name and everything, never heard crap from them and they havent done crap. This dog does sound aggressive but I dont believe it is, it doesnt lunge at you at all and if you take a step it takes off running. But honestly if I werent as familiar with dog body language as I am I would take it as the dog being aggressive.
We do not know what to do with them basically. It seems like the dogs are ALWAYS outside, but the dogs do not seem unhealthy, they seem clean, have on nice collars, and seem a mostly healthy weight. We also have to get these neighbors to take care of a dead tree that if it falls is going to land on our shed and 2 of our cars(at least), so we dont want to make them grumpy with us.
I dont know what animal control will do or if its worth calling them. Anyone have any ideas?

If I were you, I'd consult with an attorney; usually, a simple letter on "letterhead" will do the trick. Beyond that, I would call the Police for a noise complaint.

We just learned to live with our neighbors shelties barking. There's 4, sometimes 5, adult dogs and there were a few puppies from a litter that they finally gave away/sold a little over a month ago.
Thankfully these dogs are not aggressive, and I will admit to bribing them with treats to decrease their barking and make them nicer to us (different barks now). But they are always outside and bored. We share part of the fence and will probably have to fix it ourselves if we want to keep their dogs in their yard.

If the dog is out give them one chance to deal with it. The two of you should go talk to them in person about it.
If they don't correct the matter report the dog out and as possibly aggressive. If animal control knows who the owner is they will probably contact them either to get them to correct the manner (so they don't have to take the dog) or to tell them that they are taking the dog (to make them pay the fine).

It may simply be that you need to confront and embarrass them a bit. The neighbors across the street from us hadn't put enough effort to keep their dogs in the backyard until after those dogs busted through the lattice work on our deck and into the cats' section of our backyard. I went over there directly to tell them what happened - they paid for the destroyed lattice and the dogs have never been outside again. The couple were obviously embarrassed over the whole event.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

We just learned to live with our neighbors shelties barking. There's 4, sometimes 5, adult dogs and there were a few puppies from a litter that they finally gave away/sold a little over a month ago.
Thankfully these dogs are not aggressive, and I will admit to bribing them with treats to decrease their barking and make them nicer to us (different barks now). But they are always outside and bored.

We share part of the fence and will probably have to fix it ourselves if we want to keep their dogs in their yard.

If the dog is out give them one chance to deal with it. The two of you should go talk to them in person about it.
If they don't correct the matter report the dog out and as possibly aggressive.

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Oh I dont miss barking shelties! Such loud high pitched barks! I would have actually knocked on their door and spoken to them last time but they were gone, hence the letter. I wish the fence was shared, but the one they jump over and go under isnt.
It was soooo bad the other day! Gary was working on cars and had the air compressor on and every little noise they would go crazy and jump the fence. We are hoping to actually catch them around and talk to them... if this goes on too much longer we will be contacting the police though.

Ugh, I can just imagine how annoying that must be!

Our neighbours accross the street have a new dog and it breaks my heart! They HAD a beautiful black lab puppy who they always stuck outside last summer, and then LAST fall, he just "disappeared". We have no idea what happened to him, but he was gone, so we assumed they gave him away. (These people are arrogant rednecks, revving engines, loud, obnoxious, kids are a royal pain, etc.) Well anyway, we noticed within the past week that they have a NEW dog, a very beautiful German Shepard puppy. Once again, they just go off and leave it outside. It was howling at their door this morning wanting to go inside and no one was even home. Some people were not meant to be pet owners!

I would give treats to the dogs and train them that I am a friend. Has worked in the past. But sounds like these dogs are not only under socialized, but have temperament issues as well and are scared of people, so it will take awhile more for you to work this angle.
As for the owners, who are the real problem here, strangewings had good advice.