[lougatzo]

Hello,

I have neighbors on either side of me with barking dogs.

Dog 1 is a 1 year old Yellow Lab. I saw this dog as a puppy last year. Now this dog is confined to the yard and house only. This dog is NEVER EVER walked and the owner works from home! I have yet to see this dog physically since last year. Everytime I am out in MY yard working, she barks. I then hear the owner come out and in that pathetic voice says "No barking, we don't bark, come get a cookie". Before you suggest I talk with the neighbor, I will tell you she is a bit wierd. She is a divorcee and plays the victim all the time. She keeps junk in front of her house because she seeks attention. I have never said anything to her, but we are expecting a baby in october and if that dog wakes up a sleeping infant, we will have a problem. A mutual neighbor mentioned that the dog is now biting at the owners leg. I know that the problem is lack of socialization, and I truly feel bad for the dog.

Dog 2: Behind our house, I think it is a smaller herding dog mix. They let it out a few times a day in their backyard. It just barks constantly while it is outside. I can't say that it is never walked because I only see the back of their house, but my instincts are pretty good. When they want the dog to come in, they come outsied and scream its name followed by "come". This usually happens 3-4 times. If that doesn't work they take a supersoaker squirt gun and squirt the dog with water. Again, that mutual neighbor and I shake our heads. He then says to me, your dog (Rosie the GSD, best dog on the block) never makes a sound, why is that? I answer: I walk her at least twice a day and when I am outside, she is with me. She only barks when she's supposed to (doorbell, visitors, strange noises) and she stops when I tell her. She is socialized with other dogs and kids. She goes to doggy daycare every other week so the maid can come clean.

I want to call animal control, but I'm afraid it will punish the dogs. Knowing these people, why would they start caring for their dogs after AC comes. I feel they will just get rid of them.

I have thought about sending them each a copy of the Monks of New Skeete, How to be your dogs best friend. Seeing the GSD's on the cover, they will know it's me.

 

[ldpeterson]

There's a barker next door to me that another neighbor has called animal control on several times. After a few warnings they started ticketing the owner. The dog was never punished for it.

Personally I have just went up and told my neighbor several times that her dog was getting annoying! In a nice way of course. She has always apologized and kept him quiet for awhile. Then when he starts to slip I politely remind her.

 

[ardavis324]

A newly moved in neighbor next to me has 3 chihuahuas, two of them seem to be mellow but one of them barks through the fence NON STOP the whole time I or anyone is in my backyard. I spend most of my morning reading and studying in the backyard, so this got annoying very quickly. After a couple days of this, I googled this note, wrote it out word for word and left it on her front door. Never had a single problem since that day.

Quote:
1. Start with an anonymous, gentle approach.

Gentle because - Some novice puppy/dog owners do not realize Fido is barking his head off when he's left alone at home all day or outside alone.

Never leave a threatening or belligerent note because you never know who might see you dropping it off! If you don't want to leave it, send it through the mail.

Try something like -

August 3, 2006

Dear Neighbor,

You may not realize that your puppy/dog is barking all day while you're gone. {or barking all night while he's outside).

He may be bored, scared and lonely. Here's an article with tips on how you can help him. All of us in the neighborhood would appreciate your attention to this.

Another Dog Lover
The article may be from my website - http://www.toybreeds.com/home_alone.htm or other.
Keep a copy of your note and any attachment.

Anonymous because - There are plenty of nuts out there and many of them own dogs. They enjoy annoying their neighbors and in fact, consider any act of decency on their part to be a loss of position. Don't provoke them unless and until you must.

Give the gentle note at least a 10-days to see if there's any improvement.

 

[scannergirl]

Originally Posted By: ardavis324A newly moved in neighbor next to me has 3 chihuahuas, two of them seem to be mellow but one of them barks through the fence NON STOP the whole time I or anyone is in my backyard. I spend most of my morning reading and studying in the backyard, so this got annoying very quickly. After a couple days of this, I googled this note, wrote it out word for word and left it on her front door. Never had a single problem since that day.

Quote:
1. Start with an anonymous, gentle approach.

Gentle because - Some novice puppy/dog owners do not realize Fido is barking his head off when he's left alone at home all day or outside alone.

Never leave a threatening or belligerent note because you never know who might see you dropping it off! If you don't want to leave it, send it through the mail.

Try something like -

August 3, 2006

Dear Neighbor,

You may not realize that your puppy/dog is barking all day while you're gone. {or barking all night while he's outside).

He may be bored, scared and lonely. Here's an article with tips on how you can help him. All of us in the neighborhood would appreciate your attention to this.

Another Dog Lover
The article may be from my website - http://www.toybreeds.com/home_alone.htm or other.
Keep a copy of your note and any attachment.

Anonymous because - There are plenty of nuts out there and many of them own dogs. They enjoy annoying their neighbors and in fact, consider any act of decency on their part to be a loss of position. Don't provoke them unless and until you must.

Give the gentle note at least a 10-days to see if there's any improvement.

I like this a lot. Gives the owners the option of fixing it without getting defensive.

 

[selzer]

First, dogs bark. It is part of the package. Yes, if you are home 24/7, you can walk outside with the dog and take it for walks, and keep it from barking obnoxiously.

Second, barking dogs are a nuisance. They can be terribly annoying. Some people leave the dogs out 24/7 and the dogs bark almost constantly. That is when the neighbors sometimes turn to violence, poison, shooting, especially if there is nothing AC can do about it.

Third, if there is no noise ordinance in your area, there may be nothing you can do if they bring the animal in at night.

Fourth, sorry, but both owners ARE trying to control their dogs noise. Maybe they are not doing a good job of it, but they are attempting to quiet the animals.

Fifth, no one has asked you to provide a baby to the neighborhood, and I am shocked that you think people should drop dead because you are expecting to have one. The fact is, that babies get used to ordinary noises like trains going by, vaccume cleaners, and even a barking dog outside. A sickly baby can be a problem either way. But we are not planning on that. Babies need to be exposed to noise, and germs, and fluctuations in their schedule so that they can adapt to their environment.

Right now you are annoyed by the dogs and the fact that the owners are not in your opinion as good of an owner as you are. Please do not hide behind your baby. If you are frustrated about the dogs, talk to your neighbors. Make suggestions. Call AC or the police if there is a noise ordinace.

If there is not a noise ordinance, consider moving to a community where there is one. Chances are you can find some stiff home-owners group that will require people to keep junk out of their yards, RVs in garages, dogs inside, no fences, etc.

I am really sorry that your post rubbed me the wrong way. Partly because the neighbors are trying to quiet their dogs, partly because the world should stop spinning around on its axis because you are having a kid. Congradulations on the kid, that's wonderful, please keep it quiet so I don't lose any sleep though.

 

[middleofnowhere]

Whew! I'm very happy that OP doesn't live next to me! I once had a dog like hers. That dog died 10 years ago. I refer to my present duo as "The Barker Sisters." I'm in a very tolerant neighborhood. People behind me have two dogs (shep & shep mix). People to the south have two dogs (a yellow lab and a pit bull). Until a couple of years ago the woman to the north had two bichons. I have two GSDs. The dogs have had some pretty heated exchanges about the linage of their respective human housemates!

 

[Papanapa]

I like the idea of the nice anonymous note to the dog owners. I wouldn't be able to handle a dog barking for hours on end next to my house. I don't think a new baby (or anyone for that matter) should have to "get used" to a dog that barks all day or all night. It's just rude for anyone to allow their animals to do this. I wish you luck with this and your new addition to the family.

 

[lougatzo]

First, I am not hiding behind a baby. Baby or not, a dog should not be left out all day. The constant barking is because the dog is bored and not socialized. While I do yard work and my GSD lies and plays quietly by my side, the lab barks her head off. The owner comes out in a baby voice and says "no barking, we don't bark, you want a cookie?". Does this sound like the neighbor is trying to deal with it? Regardless of a baby, if I worked nights and slept during the day, my argument would not change. I feel like asking this woman, why did you get a dog if you knew you would NEVER walk it.

The second neighbor squirts their dog with a super soaker to get it to come inside and stop barking. Is that person trying?

I would feel better if the neighbors would actually try. Take the dog for walks for starters. Why am I the bad guy because I want quiet? Your right to have a CONSTANTLY barking dog ends at my ears.

 

[SunCzarina]

No you aren't the bad guy for looking for some peace and quiet. The poor squirt gun dog might be barking because he's listening to the other dog barking. We have a barker that lives on the street behind us, he's an 120lb GSD, a police wash out and he's tied to a cinderblock with a nylon leash in the front yard (I know...) My dog barks woof woof woof at him when he starts going off, by her tone, I think Morgan is telling him to shut up already!

I'd call animal control or the police about the barking. Better luck with the police on getting a ticket written.

We had a neighbor - the often mentioned rednecks with 10 kids - who had a bulldog. Woof woof woof all day long and she'd set my dogs off. They tried a bark collar but the truth was they couldn't deal with the untrained beast and she was like a big ox in the house. She just wanted to play with the kids but she was big and mouthy and untrained so she ended up in the yard while the kids played outfront.

So I called animal control once when she'd been barking for hours. The lady on the otherside called animal control several times becuase she runs a daycare and the dog was disturbing her kids taking a nap. The redneck neighbor had the nerve to complain about the daycare lady.

Long story short, after a few tickets, the redneck family decided this was not the dog for them and they rehomed her. Actually, I rehomed her because while she was annoying, I really liked the dog.

 

[jarn]

i agree with selzer that it sounds like the neighbour recognizes that the barking isn't desirable, but just isn't very good at dealing with it or doesn't know how to do it. not to rule out the possibility of her simply being lazy either, but if she's bothering to come out and ineffectually try to stop the barking, perhaps she just doesn't know any better.

i had an issue w/my neighbour bringing her dog up our lawn towards teagan after i said teagan was not friendly this weekend, and the woman was completely oblivious towards teagan's aggression signals. since she also used to throw cookies over the fence to the barking dog that lived here before, i would say she's not super-knowledgable about dog behaviour.

i would try talking to your neighbours. it's what i did (at selzer's suggestion) and it was a good idea. you could just say 'hey, i noticed you're having some issues having your dog stop barking - i've been a bit concerned about it w/a baby coming - if you're interested, i'd be happy to refer you to some resources that might help'.

if one of my neighbours had an issue with the behaviour of one of my dogs, i'd want them to discuss it with me so i could know their concerns and do my best to respond to them, and i could follow up with them as well.

just a thought.

 

[GSDolch]

Look up the local laws in your area. If they are breaking them, then call and report them, if they are not breaking any, then the most you can do is talk to them or send them a letter w/out your name on it.

Other than that, I hate to say it, if they arent breaking any laws your gonna have to suck it up, as much as that probably sucks.

No, people, or babies shouldnt have to "get use" to something if its out of the law, but dog owners and other people shouldnt have to do something just cause someones expectations are different.

Good luck with it, hopefully it'll all work out one way or another.

 

[GSDTrain]

I agree with GSDolch, Look up the local laws in your area. Hopefully you will find something there that will help you resolve your situation.
Good Luck

 

[selzer]

There have been many occasions when I wished that my neighbors would make their screaming children shut up. But there is no law that requires that.

My neighbors also had a motorcycle, I would take dog barking any day.

I think my real issue is that IF there is no law about noise in your area, than dogs are ALLOWED to bark during the daytime. Most places do get a bit hairy about barking after dark, and I think that you mentioned that they bring the dogs in at night.

My dogs are outside all day. Sometimes they do bark. I put privacy fence on the one side and am awaiting my tax return to complete the other side. We do what we can, but women living alone whether single or divorced generally do not have a ton of money, time, or anything else (including healthy young bodies to help move the junk out of the yard).

So that kind of rubbed me the wrong way as well. The OP was pre-judging the woman, by saying that she worked at home (so obviously she has plenty of time), that she was attention seeking (junk), and that she was divorced -- not sure if that was just info, and that she is not trying -- eventhough she is not just ignoring the barking, but coming out and trying to get the dog to quiet down.

It is possible, that she can get more work done if the dog is in the yard. Sometimes if you have a hyper dog, that is pacing back and fourth and whining, it is hard to concentrate on what you are doing, so she puts the dog out. That isn't a problem. People who go to work outside of their home are not with the dog 24/7. And some dogs are a royal pain when they are crated and you are there.

I think the woman is aware that her dog is a nuisance, but she may not understand how annoying her dog is to others, and she may be totally at a loss as to how to manage it. Personnally, I think putting the dog in a different room with a baby gate and a chew toy, if it is bothering her, and going out with the dog when it has to potty could make quite a difference.

Not every dog needs to have several walks around the block every day. That You take your dog for walks is great, Good job! I do not take all my dogs for walks everyday, and frankly, some of them could care less. Some of them LIKE to stay at home. The majority of the them get excited when I get the leash to take one for a walk. But ALL of them are just as happy to get in the SUV and come HOME. (I have to drive my dogs into town to walk them.)

There may be other reasons she does not take the dog OUT. There may be dog aggression or people aggression issues that the woman has no clue how to manage. Or she may have never taught the dog to walk on a lead and the dog is very unmanageable. Or she may have a physical/health problem. As for the aggression issues, I would rather a novice owner keep the animal home, than to have the dog attack another dog or person. If it is a training issue (very likely), well at some point we all have to face the very real fact that what is important to some of us, is not important to others.

My hope for the dog is that it has enough redeeming qualities that the owner is willing to keep it throughout its lifetime. There is not much of a market for huge untrained dogs, and its chances in a shelter are pretty slim.

If this really bothered me a lot, I would write a very nice letter to the woman with kind suggestions and alternatives to leaving the dog unattended outside. Just a couple of suggestions and the card of your dog trainer should do it. I would not threaten, and I would sign it.

I am not so afraid of retaliation, not if my letter comes across as positive, helpful, and non-judgemental. Within a couple of weeks, you will know if she is trying and if she is not and there is a law in your area, you should go further and call the law. Sometimes people do not think that the problem is serious until a uniform shows up.

But your neighbor should know who has an issue with their dog. especially if she can only afford to put privacy fence up along one side of the yard.

 

[Maedchen]

Personally I have just went up and told my neighbor several times that her dog was getting annoying! In a nice way of course. She has always apologized and kept him quiet for awhile. Then when he starts to slip I politely remind her.

Wow, that's nice. So what exactly did you say?

A neighbor of mine has two yappy Cockapoos and they constantly bark with their high pitch voice. He just got a fence up a couple months ago, before the dogs were walked and kept indoors all the time, but no more. He's home all day and just has the front door open, so whenever a squirrel forts- or the dogs and me are in the yard- the yappy dogs run out barking. I'm pretty sure he must hear them barking- but how can he just let them do it, without correcting them?? That is so rude!! And they go on and on and on.... You can't do any yard work without those stupid dogs barking. My dogs don't even look at them and never bark back.
Now I undertand, why some people poison or shoot their neighbors dogs.

 

[selzer]

Cockapoos? That sounds yappy. I find huskies, shelties, and border collies to be extreamly yappy with high pitched whiney barks that make me want to do murder. I was really surprised that a lab was causing this much chaos with his barking. I always thought they had a pleasant bark in company of the yappy little dogs and whiney piercing barks that some of these have.

I usually like GSD barks too. And I love their howls. But I have a screamer now, Whitney. Anybody interested in a young bitch? She's titled, has a CGC, more training classes than I want to consider. Is house trained. The only thing that is hard with her is her screaming. She has been screaming since she was born. She screams out of jealousy mostly, so she could make a great ONLY.

 

[lougatzo]

Update: The neighbor that uses the super soaker to quiet her dog has now installed a machine that, every 20 minutes, makes a high pitch whistle. It is essentially an automated dog whistle set on a timer. Thankfully, it doesn't bother my GSD, and oh yeah, their dog still barks.

 

[selzer]

When I pick up the hose nozzle you can hear a pin drop. They seem to know that I am NOT to be messed with when I am armed and dangerous.

I keep thinking of cutting a section of hose and putting a nozzle on the end and just being armed with it. I think that would work, at least for a while. **** dogs are pretty smart. They WILL figure out the difference between a "loaded" hose and a faker.

 

[bearlasmom]

what about this?
type of the dos and donts of taking proper care of dogs, socializing them and the art of exercise and what exercise does for a dog put it in each of their mail boxes. It may help quiet things down around there as well as help the pups. maybe you could offer some tips in the flyer as to how they can become involved with things like flyball. it would get the divorcee out potentially, and the other one, well, who knows