31/05/2021
5 ways to get your neighbor’s dog to stop barking
The constant yapping can disrupt sleep, ruin your time in the yard, and generally become an ongoing nuisance. Even the most ardent dog lovers among us become aggravated if a neighbor’s dog barks incessantly. But with effort and a little luck, you and the neighbor’s dog can peacefully coexist. Several things could cause the barking, therefore don’t blame the dog; he’s being a dog.
• If the dog sees or hears lots of activity outside, he may become excited enough to bark. This isn’t necessarily a warning; it may be a way to express frustration or a stress reaction. to the noise and activity
• Whether the dog is in the house or out in the yard, he may be “protecting” his home from passing cars, someone walking near his property, or just the mailman approaching the door.
• If the dog is alone all day in the house or left alone in the yard for long periods of time, he may develop unwelcome compulsive habits, such as barking.
You get it, but you’re being driven to distraction by your neighbor’s barking dog. So what can you do?
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make that pup clam up and get the peace and quiet you need without being a jerk.
1. The first step is to talk to your neighbors. If they’re away from the house all day, they may not even know about the barking. Or they may be aware of it and are already working on the problem. While it might be tempting to just drop a note in their mailbox, meet your neighbors face-to-face. Leave the attitude at home and communicate in a friendly, neighborly way that the barking is becoming a problem for you and your family. Don’t assume, don’t accuse; just explain the problem and give them a chance to respond. It’s possible they’re inexperienced dog owners
2. You can be proactive, as well. If the dog barks every time you step into your yard or venture near his property, try blocking his vision by planting a hedge or erecting a fence or privacy screen. If the dog’s barking is territorial, blocking his view of your property may remove the threat.
3. Ask your neighbors if you and your family can meet their dog and let him get to know you. You might even suggest that the neighbors bring the dog over to your yard to play a bit. If your trips to the yard are rare, your occasional presence may startle or frighten the dog. Try making time outside an ordinary occurrence. Once he’s used to the sight, sounds, and smells of his human neighbors, they may not be such a big deal to him, and he won’t feel the need to bark.
4. Use a dog whistle or a sonic training device. Dog whistles emit sound in the ultrasonic range, meaning us lame-eared humans can’t hear them. But dogs can, and the sound drives them nuts. That’s why they’re useful for training. If you’ve talked to your neighbors, and their dog still won’t keep quiet, you can use a dog whistle to train them yourself from the comfort of your own home.
5. Last, you can take drastic steps when all else fails, including taking legal action by going to small claims court. Keep a record of the dates and duration of the barking, take video or audio clips on your mobile phone, and keep a record of all the steps you’ve taken so far. You might even consider hiring a lawyer to help you through the system
