Aladdin Sane

I work in a home office. My neighbor has four dogs. They bark and howl all the time. It's driving me crazy. I've told my neighbor that the noise drives me crazy, so they are aware that it is a problem. When the neighbors are outside and the dogs begin to howl, they yell at them to stop. When the neighbors are inside, they don't seem to notice. I don't see how it is possible, but they really don't hear it or don't seem to mind.

But they've not really tried to train the dogs in any consistent way. In fact, the dogs don't get much attention, except when they make noise-- thus the problem.

By the way, he is a police detective. I like him and I don't want to make a complaint with the city. I want to solve the problem without making an enemy of my neighbor.

I've heard of a device that emits a high pitch sound when dogs bark. It is hung in a tree and is supposed to stop the barking. Do you know if it works? Do you have any other suggestions to stop the noise?

Thanks in advance.

__________________
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

World's King

T-Bone laced with anti-freeze. Or if you don't wanna get arrested...



Call animal control. If the dogs are barking this much it may mean they are being mistreated. I had a neighbor years ago growing up that was starving his dog and forcing it to stay outside 24 hours a day. Even in the winter. My parents finally called animal control after a really bad snow storm. They took the dog and it ended up getting adopted by an aunt and uncle of mine.

__________________
heavy is the head that wears the crown

Willravel

As a beagle owner, I can attest to the eventual numbness to barking. It seems insane, I know, but it's true. And it's not that we, as owners of loud dogs, don't try. The problem is that some dogs just love to bark and even extensive training can't always remove that trait.

When Jack, my beagle, is in a mood to bark too much, I walk or run him. Barking is often a sign of being overexcited and proper exercising can help to reduce the behavior. What can you do about this? Aside from offering to walk or play with your neighbor's dogs (not necessarily a horrible offer), your best option is to pass on the advice.

kramus

Is there a combination of a white-noise generator and some classical music playing in the background of your office that can distract you without making work impossible? Wireless headphones?

You will never get real satisfaction regarding the dogs. They are your penance for some past life misdeed, and the only permanent "solutions" (see WK above) lead to further bad karma, and even greater distractions to your work (jail time, neighbor beating/shooting you, WWW photo with Dog Killer header).

__________________
And now to disengage the clutch of the forebrain ...
I'm going with this - if you like artwork visit http://markfineart.ca

genuinegirly

Ear plugs are great.


I doubt neglect in this instance. Your neighbor likely has more dogs with the notion that they will keep one another company and require little human interaction. Since there are so many dogs, it will be difficult to train them, the pack mentality can encourage bad behaviors just as easily as good ones.

Sorry I don't have any nifty tricks for you. Our beloved mutt used to stare out the window and bark whenever a human or animal walked by. When she was older and her cataracts caused near-blindness, she barked at shadows. I would do anything to hear that bark again.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

ring

Calling animal control is the best advice.

Even if the person wasn't a police officer, calling the police with a noise
complaint will have no effect. The police will give them a 10 dollar ticket.
The police will give them a hundred 10 dollar tickets and it doesn't change anything.
(where I live, anyway.)

Aladdin Sane

Thanks guys.
I still prefer to handle this without poison or a third party...
Maybe living this way is my destiny.

__________________
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

Bear Cub

Shoot the dog.

If he suspects that it's you, shoot him too.

__________________
Living in the United Socialist States of America.

Glory's Sun

Dogs bark.. it's what they do. Setting up a device that stops a dog from barking is honestly.. stupid. Dogs bark for many reasons.. and one of the reasons they may be barking is because they aren't getting enough interaction from the owner.. but seriously.. don't install a device to make a dog stop barking. That makes them nothing..plus it's rather nice when they bark because something or someone is outside.

Perhaps you should just watch and see if the dogs get any interaction or training..if they aren't then just talk to your neighbor and see if they can at least spend some time with the dogs to get their energy out. If not, maybe you could do it.. might score some extra cash that way.

btw, what kind of dogs are we discussing here?

yournamehere

Bingo. Dogs bark because they're bored.

Suggest to your neighbor that he stop treating them like livestock and bring them into the house. Very few dogs bark inside their home, except for the few that insist on looking out the window all day looking for something to bark at. But at least they become their owner's problem - not the owner's neighbor's.

A dog that constantly barks at nothing is a criminal's best friend. They know that its neighbors have long ago stopped associating its bark with any kind of warning.

__________________
If you want to avoid 95% of internet spelling errors:
"If your ridiculous pants are too loose, you're definitely going to lose them. Tell your two loser friends over there that they're going to lose theirs, too."
It won't hurt your fashion sense, either.

gardens

calling animal control is good idea but might not be the first step you state that you want to take care of it on your own then the best suggestion is to talk to your neighbor about it and suggest to them that they bring the dogs inside or give them up for adoption, look online for whichever antibarking device you think is best and suggest that they buy it

dlish

bear clubs right.

a shot gun is the only solution

__________________
An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere

I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay?
- Filthy

Iliftrocks

Move, and sell your house to a bad element, heh

__________________
bill hicks - "I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it comes out."

Suzz04

we have a dog that does the barking at all hours next to us. the owners don't really pay much attention to it, just go out to feed it and that's about it. the kids do try to go and play with it but it's not enough.

the dog is leashed and i realize that's helping the factor of he only has so far he can go to run off the energy. but he manages to bark at times it's nerve wrecking. i like to nap on the couch but can't cause it seems to echo in my living room. or if we turn the bathroom light on during the night, he sets in to barking.

i've said something to the owners in a polite way, then after no resolution i spoke to our landlord. still no resolution. i've been tempted to call animal control but feel guilty as soon as i think about it.

__________________
Quantum Cat Theory:
Upon hearing the sound of a can being opened,
it becomes possible for a cat to travel faster than the speed of light.

yournamehere

You shouldn't - the dogs deserves a better life than it has now.

__________________
If you want to avoid 95% of internet spelling errors:
"If your ridiculous pants are too loose, you're definitely going to lose them. Tell your two loser friends over there that they're going to lose theirs, too."
It won't hurt your fashion sense, either.

Glory's Sun

I'm going to let everyone in on a secret.. people who have dogs that don't properly care for them still love them.. so the easiest way for you to get what you want is to interact with their dogs and the owners will sense a change and become jealous..and probably start doing the training and the walks in order to keep Fido from becoming a traitor.

It's sad that it has to happen like this but you'd be surprised how often it will work.. so instead of shooting (seriously??) and calling animal control suggest walking the dogs yourself.. maybe even charge some coin.. but do it and see what happens. If nothing else, you'll gain a new friend.

Aladdin Sane

One thing I didn't mention in the OP, I love animals and especially dogs. I have two of my own. And they don't bark incessantly-- probably because they get lots of attention and love.
As for the neighbors dogs, they never get attention from their owner and I am sure that is the source of the problem. I interact with the dogs almost every time I walk from my house to my office. At one time I hoped that being friendly towards them would stop the barking. (One of them is barking now!).
What breed are they? I'll have to get back to you on that as I'm not sure.

These dogs stopped being useful as watchdogs years ago. How could you be alerted by their bark when they bark all the time? On the other hand, if my dogs bark, I sit up and take notice.

__________________
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

Glory's Sun

well..you need to keep your interaction, but it might help if you take interest in their dogs.. like I said people are jealous about animals..

you can't really be alerted when they bark all the time..but if you can break the habit, then they should revert back to alert/play barks

clavus

I had / have the same problem. There are a few dogs that rotate through my neighbor's back yard. It's like a halfway house for unruly canines.

I bought double pane windows and installed a thick door. It wasn't enough.

I bought a birdhouse-looking thing at Petco that shot out a high-pitched noise. One of the dogs hated it and stopped barking. The other dog didn't give a shit, and kept barking. I've called the cops many times. All they did was talk to the owners once and threaten a ticket some day. There are some days when I'm ready to LOSE it. Part of the reason I called the cops was to make myself the prime suspect if the dogs are ever murdered, thereby ensuring that I don't ever kill them, because I know I'll be caught. How crazy is that?!

An uncle of mine had almost the same problem. Every time he walked into his back yard, the dog next door would go apeshit crazy. My uncle got a slingshot (wrist rocket) and shot the dog every time it started barking. Eventually, the dog would run away (and shut up) whenever it heard the door open.

__________________
Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

Aladdin Sane

Would you recommend the birdhouse device you got at Petco? I am considering getting one. Was it expensive?

__________________
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

ItWasMe

Go to the dog pound. Look at which anti-bark high pitch device they are using. And DON'T buy that one. Dog pounds are so loud, they can't possibly work that well. The lady at the pound did tell me that it only releases the high pitch once the noise reaches a certain level for a certain amount of time. Then half the dogs shut up for about 5 seconds before barking again. Could be they have theirs turned way down. So if you can (if it's on the package) check out how loud it has to be for it to 'chirp' as well as how long the dogs have to be barking to activate it. And how close the dogs have to be to the device to set it off.

I wish they made one that would scream bloody murder each time a dog takes a crap in my yard. And loud enough to hurt the ears of the owner who allows their leashed dog to do it.

__________________
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .


"Ok, no more truth-or-dare until somebody returns my underwear" ~ George Lopez

I bake cookies just so I can lick the bowl. ~ ItWasMe

little_tippler

Aladdin, I have a similar problem. I had lived in my apartment for a year before this woman and her 2 dogs moved in. They are very annoying. I think also the building has not been properly soundproofed so even when I'm in the farthest corner of my house in relation to the neighbour's, I can still hear them. Sometimes they bark at 2am...I hate it. I do get the feeling though that the owner is home but lets the dogs bark anyway. I have been thinking what I can do about it...there must be some law as to this, especially in apartments. If I find a solution I will let you know.

__________________
Whether we write or speak or do but look
We are ever unapparent. What we are
Cannot be transfused into word or book.
Our soul from us is infinitely far.
However much we give our thoughts the will
To be our soul and gesture it abroad,
Our hearts are incommunicable still.
In what we show ourselves we are ignored.
The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged
By any skill of thought or trick of seeming.
Unto our very selves we are abridged
When we would utter to our thought our being.
We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams,
And each to each other dreams of others' dreams.

Fernando Pessoa, 1918

Glory's Sun

personally, I still think this is a bad idea..but it's your house and sanity.

Have you considered letting their dogs come over to your house and play with your dogs to get some of their energy out? You could take 30 mins to and hour and just run them (fetch, wrestle etc) and maybe the problem will settle itself. After the main reason they are barking is most likely a lack of interaction.

clavus

Well, it worked for one dog. If had worked for both, I would recommend it. I think they have a money-back policy, so check it out. If it doesn't work, take it back.

It was expensive. Had it worked 100% it would have been worth it many times over.

__________________
Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

Aladdin Sane

I've started regularly going to the fence and petting the dogs again. It's probably a good idea to play with them as you suggested guccilvr, so I'm trying to give them more attention.

I will also check out the anti-barking device at PetCo. If it has a money back guarentee, I'll purchase it and see how it goes. I'll keep you guys informed.

Little Tippler, I feel for you. Having dogs barking in an apartment building must be frustrating. Let me know if your situation changes...

__________________
Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

surferlove007

Haha...this has been the highlight of my day.

The neighbors have several dogs that bark in the backyard especially when we bring Raider out to do his business. I usually just yell at them to shut up and they stop for time being. I've heard good things about the birdhouse with high pitch noises...people treat dogs like babies it seems at times...they zone out the barking. That or this Christmas buy your neighbor a muzzle.

Glory's Sun

In this case, they obviously aren't being treated like babies. If they were, then they would be getting the interaction they need and want. It's the neighbors responsibility to control the dogs, but a little help never hurt anyone

surferlove007

Obviously....as in the annoying noise emitted by them not the interaction.

Stuff like those responses are exactly why I don't post on the TFP much anymore.

Glory's Sun

Huh? You don't post because people make points and you don't like them? Must be a hard life.

My whole point was lost. The fact is that dog's bark. It's what they do. They bark for a very specific reason; it's how they communicate. To try and take away a bark with some electronic device takes away part of their existence. The problem here is not the dog, but the owner. I would be willing to bet a considerable amount of cash that a measly daily walk or an hour of exercise would cure this problem instantly. Dogs don't bark just because they want to annoy someone

I've been around dogs my entire life.. I have two fully vetted and trained GSD's. I make sure that they get what they need not only with food and water, but also proper training, daily discipline and daily exercise. They are power breeds..and hardheaded, but they don't display any of the problems that Aladdin's neighbors dogs have..because.. they are content and get plenty of interaction

This whole thing isn't to tell someone what to do with their sanity or their house, it's just to point out the reasons why the dogs are barking. There's nothing wrong with talking to the neighbor again just as there is no problem with Aladdin maybe even letting their dogs play with him to get their frustration out.

shakran

Usually, but not always. I have one that barks at everything. . .Or nothing. He's totally happy - in fact he's the happiest freakin' dog I've ever had, but he barks when I'm making his dinner. He barks after he's done with his dinner. He barks when he's outside and sees a leaf. He barks when he's outside and doesn't see a leaf. He just enjoys the hell out of life and wants everyone to know it.

I've tried all the usual tricks (I, too, have been around dogs all my life, and have had CTD's in the past). Both of my dogs are treated well enough that the vet told me when he's reincarnated he wants to come back as my dog. The one is normal, but the other just barks.

I figure it's like people. Some people just Won't. Shut. Up. Seven hours into the car ride and they're still chattering at mach 3. I've often wished for a shock collar for them. Don't use it on my dog, but would have no problem shocking the hell out of someone that annoying

Glory's Sun

sure, nothing is ever 100%, but I'm basing my thoughts around that Aladdin said that the owners never did anything with the dogs.. and since there are 4 of them..the problem just continues to escalate because there is no interaction or discipline or training or exercise or anything. I mean that's at least the first place to start right? Does your barker do it nonstop all day and night? If he doesn't then that's another place of distinction that I'm trying to get at.. most dogs don't bark constantly unless there is an issue. Again, not saying that every dog is the same..just saying..well just saying what I've been saying all along. Try the human factor and see what happens. If the dogs are work class they love to be trained and worked. That's another another thing to try.

Any habit that a dog has can be broken.. it's just finding that right technique that works for the individual dog.

shakran

Good! Come make my barker stop eating poop

You're right, though, and the problem boils down to how most people view pets - -namely as animated stuffed animals that they dick around with when convenient and should then be invisible and out of mind until the next time they want to be with the dog.

Too few people realize that having a pet is like having a perpetual 3 year old. They need attention, and they can't be put away with the rest of the toys when you're bored with them.

Glory's Sun

try this for your poop eating dog

Digestive Aids: Drs. Foster and Smith Dis-Taste Stops Stool Eating

shakran

Tried that. Tried a number of dietary supplements that's supposed to make it taste bad/offensive/whatever. He just doesn't give a shi. . .er. . .damn.

I've also tried months of the collarjerk/NO training. Went right back to it when I tried letting him go outside on his own. Tried squirt guns, scolding, and just about anything else out there other THAN a shock collar, which I just don't really wanna try. Nothing works.

Glory's Sun

what kind of dog? Shock is not a bad treatment if you have the right kind of dog and you are responsible with it. Get a collar that has many levels of enforcement.. sound levels and shock levels. You can start with just the sound correction or you can start with low shock correction and go down to sound and vise versa. Poop eating is a natural dog trait, but it's annoying .. I've never worked with one that had this habit so I'm kind of on new ground with this one

Destrox

Neighbors back in my last place had lots of barking dogs.

All hours.

Ignored.

We have laws here,and we simply told them if you cant keep your dogs at a reasonable level during off-hours , you'll get a surprise visit.

If they love their pets and value the respect of others, its a no brainier.

Being the guy is a cop, you have a increased chance of him being a douche. (Yeah yeah, not all..just many in towns like I live in as its the job for the drop out jocks.)

__________________
You bore me.... next.