Dogs Barking?

Question

Hiya,
My neighbours have been complaining that our dogs are barking when we go out. We shut all the doors on their side of the house, but today we forgot, the dogs barked, and now the neighbours are going to comlain to the council.

Two things that are bothering me:

All the other dogs on the street bark all day, but they never complaing about them

They run a taxi firm, they fly down the road at all hours, and slam car doors, which is what causes the dogs to bark!

What can i do?

They are well looked after and are not aggressive at all!

Will the dogs get taken off me?

any help appreciated!
thanks
Kate!

Answer 1

As mentioned, get a bark collar. You will want to show the authorities (if they are called on you) that you are doing everything you can to ensure your dogs are not a nuisance. This can save you a lot of hassle in the future if you are accused falsely.

Answer 2

You probably won't get the dogs taken off you but as their owner you are responsible for them. I have a dog but even so it can be really annoying when other dogs in the neighbourhood bark all day!

Dogs bark to communicate, they will always bark at some point, you just need to stop them doing it when you're out. The problem is they are bored so as I see it you have a few options:

1. Look in the Yellow Pages and find a good dog behaviourist who can help and advise you to stop them barking. This is not a cheap option

2. Walk them every day and give them plenty of exercise to tre them out. Get them toys etc to keep them occupied when you are out. Do not leave them for a long time alone. Either return and occupy them for a while before leaving them again or employ a dog walker who will walk them whilst you're not there. When you return to the house try not to make too much fuss of them.

3. Please DO NOT buy a bark collar, they are undoubtedly cruel. You can buy alternatives such as a device you can fit which omits a noise that only dogs can hear and they don't like it whenever they bark. This should really be a last resort but better than a bark collar.

Hope this helps

Answer 3

You need to sit down and think this out rationally and with an open mind. Ask yourself whether you REALLY think your neighbours are being unreasonable! Ask yourself if there is a possibility that your dogs ARE a nuisance! Remember that living with dogs barking for long periods right next door is really awful, and can seriously damage their quality of life.
It can literally drive people to distraction.
If you are a right thinking, reasonably unselfish person who does not want to be the cause of disturbance to others, and you agree that they do have a reason to complain, then do something about it now. Go and tell them that you agree that your dogs are being a nuisance and that you intend to do something about it.
Perhaps you can check by leaving you house and sitting in the car for a while. See how your dogs behave. Accusing the neighbours of causing your dogs to bark does sound a little lame, like you are uncaring about how they feel. If the barking causes them distress, they are hardly going to do things to start the dogs off!
If you really do think they are being entirely unreasonable, then you should not be worried! If the dogs are not a nuisance, then you do not have a problem.
It's hard to be totally honest with yourself, but when you are, it feels very good!

Answer 4

I had the same problem of my dog barking when I went out and I bought a 'Bark stop'. You can get them off the net quite easily, mine cost around 40 pound but it was well worth it. Just plug it in the room the dags are in and when they bark it can either emit an audible beep or one that only the dogs can hear. The dogs don't like the noise and stop barking. My dog no longer barks even without the 'bark stop'. Another option is the collars that emit small electrical shocks when they bark but I have not tested these as I think it's a little cruel. I have given the web address of a 'bark stop' if you're interested. Hope this has been helpful.

Answer 5

I personally am strongly opposed to "no bark" collars. In most cases, they work for a short while and then become less effective over time. They can cause your dog to become less trustful of humans and can even CAUSE problem behaviours and neurosis. They are a quick fix that solves nothing, only tortures the dog, whether citronella or electric.

The most effective way to stop the barking is to block the dogs from the source. In most cases it is the front window of the house, where dogs can see people and cars passing. Put the dogs in a room or babygate them where the windows are out of reach. If your house design isn't ideal for this, cover the windows with aluminum foil. Leave them with something to occupy them, ie Kong (available at any pet supply store), fill it with kibble and peanut butter or yogurt and freeze ahead of time. This will keep them busy, when they are chewing on the Kong, they can't be barking.

Leave the television or radio on to soothe them when you are gone and lots of comfortable bedding to encourage naps.

Make walks a priority before they are left alone, the more you tire them out, the less energy they will have for barking.

Good Luck.

Answer 6

There are few things more unbearable than having to listen to dogs barking all day - I can sympathise with your neighbours. It is always difficult because the owners never experience it - the dogs don't bark when they are there. If you are out then how do you know that the other dogs in the street bark all day? Maybe your neighbours can't hear everyone elses dogs - just yours. If your neighbours are bothering you with their business then politely ask them to not slam doors etc. They have asked you to keep your dogs quiet so it is reasonable to request the same consideration from them.

Answer 7

Unlikely that they would take your dogs away.
First off they would send you a letter telling you they have recieved a complaint. Then probably come to visit you to discuss the matter.
They'll probably tell you not to forget again.

I had a similar problem but it was many moons ago.
We shut ours in the kitchen because of the barking but one day he ripped the door apart and barked and they reported it ( It was the day my father died so we were at the hospital)
The council inspector didn't take the dog or get nasty or anything- we just replaced the door with a better one.


Perhaps you should complain about them ?

Answer 8

Firstly, there are things that you can do to stop your dogs from barking WITHOUT zapping them with collars. Try leaving the stereo or radio on for them as company, it will also stop them from hearing your neighbours and setting them off.

If I were you, I'd make my own complaint to the council about your neighbours. I think you'll find that they don't have permission to run the business from their home.

ps. One of my neighbours always complains about the dog 3 doors down, but never the dog that constantly barks next door !!! Some people just like to complain

Answer 9

Teach them not to bark, and if you can't get a bark collar. The bark collar will only need to shock them once or twice and they will learn quickly that when wearing the collar, they can't bark. It's always unfair in this world.. People who are offending are often the ones that complain about others. No sense worrying about it, those type people tend to be more trouble than it's worth. Better to just teach your dogs to be quiet.

Answer 10

I think that your dogs should have a barking collar. It doesn't really hurt the dogs but it stings them. I had to do that with my Labrador retriever cause she barked a lot. It really helped her, we got to take it off it a about a week and now she only barks now when someone is trespassing.
I really don't think your dogs will get taken away from you, you will probably just get warned.

Answer 11

Kate,

Your dogs are most likely bored or feel like they need to protect the household while you're gone. Have you ever thought of placing them in one area of the house so that they feel safe? Dogs are pack animals and are most comfortable if they have a small space (like the den that their relatives the wolves have) to feel secure while you're away. Perhaps you could have them live in a laundry room, bedroom, bathroom...while you are gone. Also, there are things that can keep them entertained while you're away. Have you used a Kong toy before? They are a very durable rubber toy that have a hole in them. You lodge peanut butter or a dog treat down into the bottom of the Kong and the pooches will spend hours working on getting at the treat. They love them and it occupies their time. Lastly, a good bit of exercise makes pets less tense and more inclined to take a nap while you're away.

About the neighbors: I would say that it would be a good idea to talk to them directly, but perhaps it would just turn into a shouting match. It might be helpful though to let them know somehow that you are making efforts to figure out how to help the dogs while you're away. In return perhaps they could limit the noise they make in the wee hours of the night. By the way, is it legal to run a business out of one's house where you live?