Ever have barking dog issues in your neighborhood?

Several years ago when we were pretty much the only dog owners in the neighborhood, a neighbor came to the door and asked if I could please stop my dog from barking as he was trying to study for an exam - I was mortified. To be honest, we're so used to barking that when it's coming from outside, middle of the afternoon, we really didn't notice it. That day taught me two things: 1.) I need to pay more attention to how my pets' behavior and noise affects my neighbors; and 2.) I was very thankful that this neighbor did not simply call the police to complain - which would have been well within his rights, but would have not only gotten me and my dog in trouble, but would have put a strain on what eventually became a great friendship. If it's someone you feel confortable talking to, approach them first and let them know the excessive barking disturbs you. If not, then don't wait for things to get out of control - contact your local police and/or animal control department - that's what they are there for.

A couple years ago, after everyone else in our 12-house subdivision also became dog owners (some multiple dogs) there was the issue of one dog barking, the others all chime in - well, they're dogs, that's what they do. But we all try to bring them in or hush them when they get going, particularly at night. There was a guy down the street - not even in our neighborhood - who kept his two dogs chained outside 24/7 - they barked, another neighbor complained. One day we came home to our house with a notice from the dog officer taped to our door saying they received a barking complaint and to please call him. Of course, we were very defensive at first knowing that our dog is always ASLEEP at 2:00 AM when the complaint came in, called him right up and he immediately said "I know it's not your dogs. It's not anyone on your street, but to protect anonymity and let people be on their guard that someone was complaining, we need to let all dog owners know there's an issue". He was actually working on getting the dogs removed from that household (it was not a good environment for them to begin with). We later found out who was complaining, and it was reassuring to them to know that we, as dog owners, SUPPORTED their decision to complain, and we told them if it's ever our dog causing a problem, please don't hesitate to call us. Sort of opened the lines of communication all the way around.

Anyway, sorry this was so long-winded! Good luck with your situation!

What is your definition of barking "a lot?"

I deal with a lot of animals, many are not trained when they first come in, and most have pretty poor manners to start with. That's to be expected of newly rescued pets. I tend to keep to the "if you're quiet you can stay out and play, but if you get noisy, you come back in" rule. The exception is when I need to mop the house. I put all of the dogs outside while I mop until the floor is dry again. I usually do this during the early afternoon so if they do bark it is less likely to bother anyone. I've never gotten any complaints.

I have dealt with dogs who had separation anxiety so bad that they would bark and howl themselves hoarse if their owners were out of sight (even in another room with the door shut).

I'd suggest looking up your local laws and ordinances. Most places have a barking dog rule. If the dog barks more than so many times per minute, or more than so many times in a set amount of time, or if they bark after or before a certain time of day they are breaking the law and can be fined.

Please also be aware that most people who allow their dogs to bark all day are not committed pet owners and will likely dump their barking dog at the first sign of being held responsible for it.

There seems to be a mindset that goes along with dogs barking incessantly. The "owner" DOES NOT CARE. He/she does not care about the dog/dogs, does not care about the neighbors, simply put: DOES NOT CARE.

There is a woman down the road from me. She got a settlement from a lawsuit and used it to buy her an older mobile home. The home has had ZERO maintenance since she got it. She started with one dog, a formerly nice mixed breed with some Husky. When owner came home, dog went out front on used plastic-coated cable. Dog barked at everything, from squirrels to people passing by on foot, walking their pets, on bicycles, pushing strollers with babies inside, etc. Dog became vicious from lack of care/training and lack of interaction with "owner." Then

I didn't see the dog for awhile and she said it had died. I never saw it looking like it was hungry or thirsty (water bowl usually had water in it during the 4- to 7-hour shifts the dog spent tied outside where it could almost reach the curb. What happened to the dog is a mystery still, today.

Two years ago, woman got another dog. This one is a black Lab mix whose temperament went from tailwagging puppy barking eagerly at the world to nasty, lunging, BARKING, snarling dog tethered to that same used plastic-coated cable (which is now kinked and rusting and will soon snap). The county sheriff's department knows about the problem, but woman owns a scanner and always brings the dog in just before the cops arrive. Funny, how the bads guys always own scanners ...

This dog, like the other, is not thin and appears to be otherwise healthy. Its coat is shiny and eyes are bright. I dread the day its cable breaks, because it will have free run of the neighborhood. There is a state highway just 100 yards from the dog.

I just checked the county records (public domain). The dog does not have 2008 tags. Will let dog warden know and that part will be taken care of! We have an awesome dog warden here!

It sounds like, for your particular issue, a petition signed by several neighbors might be a good idea. Submit a COPY of the petition (or submit the original, but keep several photocopies) to whichever agency is in charge of your zoning ordinances/code.

I, too, am a dog and cat owner but always respected my neighbors. So, if my dogs barked for more than a few minutes, I would bring them in. But, of course, there are the dog owners who couldn't care less about the noise their dogs make, and when it comes to those owners I will immediately report them. As others have mentioned, in some instances it was a dog tied to a tree all day; in others, the owners did not want to bother with the dog in the house for whatever reason at that time, so would put them in their yard and let them bark, and bark, and bark. I have no tolerance for these owners and feel bad for the animal. I have even reported them to the animal control in our area, along with the police. Sometimes it has worked, other times it hasn't.

First let me state I have a dog and cats. I love pets otherwise wouldn't do volunteer work with CCI not be on zootoo. I do not tolerate dog barking well,especially at night.We had a neighbour that had 3 dogs that barked ALL NIGHT EVERY NIGHT. WE couldn't sleep. I called and found out what the noise ordanaces were. This was after months of this.I then wrote a nice letter informing the owners what the laws were.Explaining we could not get sleep at all. We are on an incline above them and all the sound comes straight into our house.With a/c on,windows shut,jack hammer going whatever.lol I then sent it registered mail, to no avail. I again nicely called and spoke to them about this. Finally after the 5th attempt I had enough.Dogs don't just bark,they are bored, out of water, unhappy, hungry,scared,neglected something. Other neighbours also were going nutty with it since it was always from evening til dawn. We finally called the police one night at 3.45 a.m. since we were up why not call them? THey had said they had to hear the noise ( barking within so many feet to make a complaint) well no doubt it was well within. We all have 2-8 acre lots but they were LOUD! The police issued a ticket for the noise ordinance and also had the animal control check it out the next day. These poor dogs were chained to trees, low on water, no food etc. This was a businessman to. He just didn't want to fool with them after he got them. He had to pay fines. Someone in the animal control helped locate a better home for them in which he glady gave them up. When it effect your sleep or crosses over your towns laws then yes its up to you to do something. I believe animals don't just bark for no reason. Maybe a deer,a snake, need water or whatever. It should be tended to. Don't suffer do something. Some people have no consideration of others when it comes to animal ownership. I was ever so glad to see him transferred to another state.Now we have a hoarder that purchased his house. So you can't win. THe laws in our area state we "are intitled to our Peace and Tranquillity" and if it is disturbed after 11:00 p.m then a ticket is issued. It seemed harsh but we were being effected by it and we felt the pets were neglected. Call and find out what your laws are and then decide what you feel you must do.