Noise nuisance/barking dog

Originally Posted by Baph

I'd be tempted to ask the neighbours their opinion of doing something similar to what I said anyhow.

Yes, the barking would be terrible at first when it was tied in the back garden, but with the help of you & their other neighbour, this would (IMO) reduce over time. If I'm wrong, after a trial period, the dog could be locked back in the house again. If other people on the street complain about the noise, they only even know about it because you're trying to resolve the situation, so the RSPCA etc would be appreciative that you're trying.

Once the dog gets used to the fact it's outside, doesn't get ignored & there are kind people around, it'd probably settle down a little. The dog would also be tied up so you could throw treats from a safe distance.

Of course, the neighbours could say no to it all. But you don't get if you don't ask, and it's a solution that if works, will only serve to strengthen your bond with your neighbours because you're both putting effort in to solve the problem.

Cheers Baph, I'll certainly have a word with them about doing something like that. Anything is worth a try! I think it's just lonely, but I would have thought it'd have got used to being in on it's own by now and calmed down some, but it hasn't.

Originally Posted by Amanda M

I had to laugh at the throw dog biscuits at it comment

K, it's not a new problem, they've been made aware of it's barking a number of times but it's been less of a problem in the past because they haven't had to go out and leave it on a regular basis. It's driving us mad now because it's every day and not just for a short while, and the bloody thing just doesn't shut up which would try even the most patient of people's nerves

It will get sorted, one way or another, hopefully without me going insane or the council/RSPCA getting involved

Cheers

Amanda

PS, sorry for ranting on about this everyone, but it's really getting to me and you're all ace at giving me some suggestions.

Ah, I understand now - I thought it had only started since one owner had gone into hospital, rather than that exacerbating an existing situation.
Have you tried your vet? (Not for euthinasia ) They may have contact details for a dog trainer who specifies in situations like these.
Just so you have the information to hand to pass on.


As for ranting here and it driving you up the wall... don't forget, an effective technique for torture is constant and repetitive noise. Rant away.

Another thought for you too Amanda.

If something like I've said is tried, when the time comes for you to get a little closer to the dog, there's some things to bare in mind.

If you're going to be on the "dogs property" (as the dog sees it), make sure you only go there with the owner, but it's probably best avoided for a long time anyway!

If you want to get closer to the dog to stroke etc (more attention == quieter dog), it's probably far better that the dog is restrained somewhere a little closer to the border seperating houses. That way, the dog stays on it's own property, you stay on yours, and the pair of you can build confidence in each other slowly, without over stepping the mark.

Also, until the dog is REALLY REALLY friendly with you, always have a treat in hand/pocket, but that doesn't mean you always have to give the treat

you need to check to see if the dog is barking for no reason or if there are ppl around making noises. dogs constantly being locked in a small yard can develop into barking without reason, otherwise, there are always a reason for a dog to bark (eg. drunk idiot walking past).
Also, if the dog is being left outside in its own dog house during nights, suggest owner to lock the dog in its dog house (providing it is big enough) so the dog knows the difference between day and night.

gotta say I really enjoyed this thread.

It's given me ideas for my neighbors' dogs -- here in Dublin there really is no recourse for noisy dogs. At least you guys have "noise pollution" laws and so forth.

I'm surrounded by Westies and they bark at: 1) the cats which use shared walls to traverse the neighborhood; 2) anyone walking outside down the street; 3) any noise in my back garden; 4) my motorbikes. I've owned dogs, and I think I understand them pretty well. These dogs haven't been socialized and don't get enough exercise -- yes, just like their owners .

I've spoken w/the neighbors, with whom I get on with. I get on well w/the dogs too. They (the neighbors) understand, but really don't have good solutions either.

I'll try the dog treats, and taking their dogs for walks seems like a really good idea.

Ridelikeaturtle, in all 4 cases you mention, the dogs are just doing what dogs do.

Treats won't do much except make your problem worse. The walking though, is a good idea.

Get the dogs seriously tired out, and they wont have the energy to be chasing cats they know they can't reach!

Here is another idea – my dad trained his dog (who is a lovely dog, but used to growl etc at other dogs on walks) … it’s a non harmful remote controlled device (read blurb).

http://www.aardvarkpets.co.uk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=92

Its not cheap, but very VERY effective … and if you are (understandably) really getting to your whits end it might be worth considering?? £160 (that was a random google rarther than the cheapest) is not a lot to pay for less stress Its using the stick rather than the sweet, but if the dog is beyond reach (inside) the remote control could be a way of training it.

My dads dog now is at the stage where my dad rarely sprays it … he just puts the collar on before every ‘social’ walk and the dog is well behaved …

In my spain we know world over for being very nice peoples for animals. My friend Paco he say for this noisely barky dog thing, little kick in "los huevos" make end of barking. Doggy be your big time friend for ever after dis.

Originally Posted by KrZ

you need to check to see if the dog is barking for no reason or if there are ppl around making noises. dogs constantly being locked in a small yard can develop into barking without reason, otherwise, there are always a reason for a dog to bark (eg. drunk idiot walking past).
Also, if the dog is being left outside in its own dog house during nights, suggest owner to lock the dog in its dog house (providing it is big enough) so the dog knows the difference between day and night.

Hiya,

It's a really quiet street (apart from the dog barking ) and hardly anyone goes past, so it is barking at nothing. Yesterday they had it locked in the upstairs bedroom window so there wasn't anyone or anything to bark at!

That remote control thingy could be suggested to them. Then give the remote to me to shut the thing up As for constant noises being an effective torture - I couldn't agree more. I was really upset about it all last night after 4.5 hours of it...

I'll have a search on this internet thing to see if there are any help forums for training dogs that I can pass onto the owners. I can't see them wanting to spend any money sorting the problem out so all the tips everyone's given me have been brilliant.

Thanks again everyone for your help




Amanda

there are also devices that emitts an altrasonic sound (human can hardly hear it) whenever it detects dog bark. It usually startles them and stops them from barking.. however, very small number of people have ear sensitive enough to also hear it which wouldn't be too fair on them.
dog barking devices ranging from electronic shock and citrius spray attached on a collar to devices that i've mentioned.

if there's only one dog, go for the auto electronic shock device with sensitivity setting. Don't do that if there are more than one dog.. because they will tear it off each other...