No matter how much you love dogs, it can be hard to love your neighbor’s dog when they bark at all hours! These circumstances can lead to lost sleep and a stressed-out household, especially if you have a family and a dog yourself!
So, what is the best way to deal with this issue? We have a few tips here that should hopefully lead to a quieter neighborhood.
The 8 Things You Can Do When The Neighbor’s Dog Won’t Stop Barking
1. Document the Barking
The first thing that you should do is try to gauge when and why the dog is barking. This can prove helpful when you approach your neighbor, but it’s also a way to document the barking if you need to contact the authorities.
It can help if you can determine why the dog is barking. Is the dog barking incessantly at people on the sidewalk, or do you believe that they are bored? Does the dog bark only at specific times on specific days?
For example, are they barking every afternoon at the postal worker or every Wednesday morning at the garbage truck? When it’s time to approach your neighbor, you can bring your records, which can help the owner get a fuller understanding of what’s going on when they’re away. After all, how can you stop a dog from barking if you don’t know what’s causing it in the first place?
2. Speak to Your Neighbor
The next thing that you need to do is have a conversation with your neighbor. This can solve the situation immediately if your neighbor is agreeable. But be sure to go there with an open mind. If you’re feeling aggravated or frustrated in any way, wait until you’re in a better mood.
Don’t start by leaving notes or calling animal control. Even if you don’t know your neighbor well, speak to them calmly and in a friendly manner about how the barking is affecting you and your family.
Also, don’t assume that they are bad dog owners. Talk to them without any expectations, and the situation can easily be rectified.
3. Offer Advice
If your neighbor is receptive to your issues with the barking but isn’t sure how to proceed, you can offer advice. It’s possible that they aren’t aware that their dog is barking all day while they’re at work, or perhaps they know about the problem but are struggling to deal with it.
If the dog seems bored and is left alone all day, you could offer to walk the dog and check on them throughout the day if you have the time.
Otherwise, give the owner suggestions like treat puzzles and chew toys to keep their dog occupied.
4. Ask for an Introduction
If you suspect you’re the reason for all the barking, ask your neighbor if you can meet their dog. You might be a stranger to the dog, and they’re protecting their territory.
If the dog gets to know you, they may be less likely to bark at you in the future.
5. Go on a Playdate
If you also have a dog, ask if you can bring your dog over or have your neighbor’s dog come to your yard for a playdate.
This will give the neighbor’s dog the opportunity to socialize and expend any pent-up energy. They will also get to know your place and family through sight and sound, which might reduce the barking.
6. Put Up Barriers
If you haven’t been able to speak to your neighbor or they’ve been less than helpful, you can take a few steps to try to stop the barking before resorting to more extreme measures.
If the dog seems to bark when you’re in your yard, consider putting up a privacy screen on your deck or installing a fence or a few bushes. If the dog can’t see you, they might stop barking.
7. Try Out a Dog Whistle
A dog whistle can be an effective way to train the dog to stop barking. If you’re on good terms with your neighbors, talk to them first.
Every time the dog starts barking, blow the whistle. This will interrupt the barking because they won’t like the sound. After repeating this, the dog will start to ease off.
Not every dog will respond to the whistle, but it might still be worth a try, particularly if nothing else has worked.
8. Make a Complaint
If you’re in the unfortunate position of having a problematic neighbor who isn’t taking your concerns seriously, you might need to make things official.
First, you might need to consider calling the ASPCA or the police if you suspect that your neighbor is neglecting and abusing their dog. Otherwise, you can speak to your landlord, homeowners association, building manager, or city officials.
This is where your recordings of the dog’s barking sessions can be useful. Also, try recording a few of the incidents of the dog with your phone to back up your written records.
Speak to your neighbors and ask them to file complaints if the barking is bothering them, too. You’ll likely need to file an official complaint with Animal Control. They may issue a citation to your neighbor, who is more likely to deal with the barking issue rather than face hefty fines.
Why Do Dogs Bark So Much?
There are several reasons dogs bark excessively. Barking is one way for dogs to communicate what they want and how they feel.
Dogs bark because they feel territorial or protective, to get attention, as an alert, or because they are bored, frustrated, or stressed.
1. Territorial Aggression
Some breeds are more territorial than others. Whether inside or in the yard, they will bark to warn off intruders, even postal workers, or someone just innocently walking by the house.
2. Frustration
If there’s a great deal of activity happening outside, some dogs might bark out of frustration for being left out. This type of barking can also be a stress reaction to the noise and activity.
3. Boredom
This is common if the dog is left alone for too long, particularly without any means of entertaining themselves. It can lead to compulsive behaviors that include excessive barking.
Conclusion
Some dogs are more vocal than others. There’s no sense in getting angry at the dog, as it ultimately comes down to the owner. In the long run, the dog is likely bored or reacting to outside stimuli.
Just keep everything friendly, and if you determine why the dog is barking, you can bring the information to the neighbor’s attention to help them resolve the issue.
At the end of the day, you might have new friends: your neighbor and their dog!
Featured Image Credit: salsa, Pixabay
