If the thought of yet another neighborhood canine chorus makes you want to pull your hair out, you’re not alone.
City and county government agencies across the nation have implemented dog barking complaint hotlines, mediation processes and some even offer tastefully prepared lists of local dog obedience classes for pet owners with vocal canines.
Talking with the Neighbor
Before turning your neighbor’s pooch into the police, respect their right to pet ownership.
Take a deep breath and address the situation with a calm demeanor. The City of Phoenix reminds complaintants to address the pet owner in a friendly manner. A simple visit or phone call to the pet’s owner might quiet Fido.
Dogs use vocal communication to signal happiness, impending dangers or even alert their masters to changes around the house, according to pet experts Doctor’s Foster and Smith. That continual yapping from the neighbor dog might just alert you to a local burglary or gas leak. So, stay calm and keep an open mind.
Call the neighbor and let him know the how long the dog has been barking and why it’s disruptive. Some pet owners are immune to the monotonous tone of their own pets.
For example, if you sleep during the day to accommodate an evening work shift, the neighbor may move the dog from the backyard near your bedroom window to an indoor kennel or front porch during your peak sleeping hours. Communication is the key to getting results.
The Follow-Up Conversation
If the neighbor fails to curb the dog’s barking, prepare to make a visit. Since body language can reveal frustration, visit the neighbor after a brief self-calming session. Sit down, clear your head and call the neighbor to determine a good time to visit.
Avoid addressing the dog personally during the visit. Yelling at the dog or appeasing him with treats while he barks simply feeds his desire for attention–and increases barking. Negative attention, is still attention to a bored or anxious pet.
Respect the pet owner and make direct contact with him to achieve results.
Barking is a normal dog behavior, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. During the visit learn what causes the excessive barking. Talk about when the barking occurs and the dog’s environment when he barks.
The pet owner may not realize that muzzling the dog when leaving the house for the day limits the pet’s ability to eat, pant or clean himself, which in turn makes the pet bark because he needs help.
Separation anxiety, anxiousness, boredom and the desire to communicate with other neighborhood dogs commonly provokes a dog to bark. Finding the root cause of the barking episodes leads to a resolution.
By working with the neighbor, rather than against him, a solution is more likely.
Working With Authorities for a Resolution
If nuisance barking still continues, contact city or county government for assistance. At this point the neighbor is frustrated, the dog is confused and other neighbors are likely agitated too.
The authority of a city official forces the neighbor to respect the laws by taking action or facing a fine. In Jefferson County, Colorado the sheriff’s office offers access to mediation services to calmly resolve local barking problems.
Calling the authorities protects the pet from undue disciplinary action or possible abuse by the frustrated pet owner. Making a call for help is not spiteful, but rather resourceful and in the best interest of the pet.
Local city and county government often have lists of local obedience programs, veterinarians that specialize in behavior disorders and pet stores that sell training aids.
Sources and Suggested Further Reading:
“Principles of Behavior and Modification and Treatment”, The Merck Veterinary Manual
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/140102.htm
City of Phoenix, “Information for the Complaintant”, City of Phoenix
http://phoenix.gov/law/barkcmpl.html
Sheriff’s Office, “How to Report Problem Barking”, Jefferson County Colorado Sheriff’s Office
http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/sheriff/sheriff_T62_R30.htm
Doctors Foster and Smith, “Excessive Barking: A Common Behavior Problem”, Pet Education website
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2085&aid;=153
ASPCA Staff, “Virtual Pet Behaviorist”, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website
http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/41/Barking.aspx
Clayton Reeves, “Body Language in Business: An Introduction”, Gaebler Ventures
http://www.gaebler.com/Body-Language-in-Business-An-Introduction.htm
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Reference:
- Are Dog Bones Safe?: www.associatedcontent.com/article/3011134/are_bones_safe_for_dogs.html?cat=53
- Why Dogs Eat Dirt: www.associatedcontent.com/article/2918286/why_dogs_eat_dirt.html?cat=53
- Spring Dog Dangers: www.associatedcontent.com/article/2817444/spring_dog_dangers_bird_feeders_and.html?ca
