How do I get the neighbors' dog to stop barking and growling at us through the fence?

Question

My toddler son always cries when he does, and we are both afraid of dogs. Another annoying thing is the dog tries to dig tunnels under the fence. I want the dog to either respect us or ignore us.

Answer 1

I gave this advice to one of my clients who had the same problem. Spray apple cider vinegar on and through the fence boards. It would't hurt the dog it you got them either. My cleints reported back that it fixed the problem. The dogs next door now stay away from the fence.

Answer 2

Honestly, living in a house with two schnauzers and a beagle (actually, the beagle is pretty quiet.. ).. we've seen our share of annoyed neighbors.. the ones that the dogs interacted with got better.. The first neighbor used to give them treats.. (I think the first few times she threw them over the fence).. they still barked, but it wasn't an aggressive bark.. (they still bark at us when WE come in.. that's what schnauzers do) They reacted worse to the neighbors who screamed or yelled at them.. because when you yell, they get louder.. it's a challenge of sorts.. One tried hosing them down (as another answer suggested) and they damn near climbed the fence to get over.. (they are not that aggressive, but if you "attack" them, they respond badly).. So, don't do that.. The BEST idea is to talk to the neighbor, find out if there is any way you could meet the dog.. or if treats are okay in an attempt to quiet it.. The problem is.. if your toddler cries, that can also be a reason the dog would be doing it.. a dog that is not used to hearing crying like that sees it as similar to yelling.. There's not much else you can do..

The problem with reacting angrily is that .. for example with the hosing.. not ONLY did it anger the dogs (when they weren't even mad before.. just letting them know it's their territory), but, had the dogs made it over the fence and bit her (I know one of them wouldn't have, but the other might) she started it.. by using the hose on them she broke the law... the only other thing you can do is try to get animal control to talk to the neighbor. If it is during the day, there is little they can force.. but they may have some ideas.

Answer 3

Call Humane Society or a local dog rescue group! Report her!!!!! Don't let her get away with treating animals wrongly!! Don't mess with the fence though. You could get into some trouble for that, especially if the dog breaks through and attacks you, then you try to take her to court for it.

Answer 4

http://pestcontrol.netfirms.com/dog_bark_stopper.htm

Our neighbor's dog used to bark at us every time we went into our backyard, and quite often when we weren't in the backyard. Since the neighbor's fence is right by our bedroom window, it got really freaking annoying.

Our dog would also bark at the neighbor's dog through the fence, but we at least would call our dog inside when she was barking, rather than let her holler - the neighbors don't. And there's no reason that we should not be able to enjoy peace in our home and our yard because of our neighbor's dog.

So I decided to try the Super Bark Free. I set it up with the directional cone against the wooden fence, and it worked. Not only on the neighbor's dog, but it also discouraged OUR dog from antagonizing him through the fence.

And unlike squirting, it worked whether or not we were there. We have since taken it down, but the neighbor's dog no longer barks at us through the fence, even without it there.

Answer 5

Whatever you do don't listen to the ones that are telling you to spray him with a water hose. That will only make your problem worse by FAR. It can release a lot of potential anger in the dog. He is very protective of his family and you must first communicate with your neighbors and tell them your concern. If that doesn't work maybe video tape the dog's rage when no one is around that way if anything does happen you will have this video as proof since the owners don't do anything or the law can't do anything until its too late.

Answer 6

.YOU cannot and shouldn't do anything! Go and talk to the owner about this problem and explain to them that your child gets scared because he is scared of dogs and that a growling and barking dog is certainly not gong to cure his fear! Digging tunnels is also something you should address. Tell your neighbors to please take action because everyone should be able to live happy and peacefully in their own home!


...on another note, Robert Frost said "good fences make good neighbors" :)

Answer 7

Buy or borrow a camera and record a video of the digging and barking and give a copy to your local law enforcement or dog law enforcement. Give the neighbors a chance first to correct the situation.

Answer 8

Enlist the help of your neighbor to make friends with the dog. He's barking because he's protecting his territory and alerting people to an "intrusion". That's what makes dogs so valuable. You're going to have to conquer your fear. That is making the problem worse. If you and your son reach out and become friends with the dog, he'll see you as a normal part of his environment, and will stop barking at you. He will bark at other intruders though, which, with your son in the yard, should give you lots of piece of mind.

Answer 9

Don't be afraid of dog and don't run away just put some biscuits and touch its head than y see

Answer 10

You can't "get" the neighbor's dog to do anything, especially if he senses your fear. You need to pluck up the courage to communicate with your neighbor and tell him about your problem with his dog.