The natural thing to do when a neighbor complains about dog barking is to get defensive. “My dog? Causing a problem? How dare you?!”
Don’t go there. Defensiveness exacerbates hostilities, escalates tension, and encourages your neighbor to make a mountain out of what you perceive to be a molehill. Remember, it’s all about perception, and your neighbor’s perception is his reality. Instead of being defensive, try these things:
1. Listen intently to your neighbor’s complaint.
Unless one of you plans to move, defusing the situation beats all-out war. Set defensiveness aside, and listen to what your neighbor says. Assume there’s some nugget of truth to his complaint. You need to find it, so you can figure out what to do with it. He says your dog barks all the time, underneath his bedroom window, and wakes him up. That may be an exaggeration, but chances are your dog is barking some of the time, especially if you leave her out in the yard, or if she has free backyard access through a doggie-door.
2. Empathize and apologize for your dog barking.
Without admitting guilt, empathize with your complainer. “It must be frustrating to have to listen to barking dogs when you’re trying to sleep.” Be sincere. Tell him you’re sorry he’s being disturbed by barking. Reassure him that you don’t want your dog to be a nuisance, and you want to help find a solution to his concerns. Ask him to bear with you while you work on the problem. Bake him chocolate chip cookies.
3. Investigate your dog’s nuisance behavior.
Ask questions that won’t make your neighbor defensive. “Is there a time when it’s most annoying?” “Are there other dogs that are barking too?” “Other than giving up my dog, what would make you happy?” Set up a video camera or voice-activated tape recorder to document your dog’s activities when you aren’t home. Alternatively, take a day off and watch your own house from a distance, to see what goes on that might make your dog bark. Check the neighborhood to see if there are other dogs whose barking might be blamed on your dog. Ask other neighbors if they hear your dog, and if so, when and how much.
4. Respect all community dog laws.
Make sure your dog is currently licensed, and obey all local animal control laws. Maybe your neighbor is complaining because your dog runs loose and he feels threatened (even though you know your dog is a pussycat), or because you don’t clean up when you take her for walks. Those are legitimate grounds for complaint (as is excessive nuisance barking) even if your dog is a pussycat. You don’t want animal control to find you in violation of anything. Obey leash laws and scoop laws, and respect your neighbor’s discomfort with your dog – don’t let her off-leash even if you’re just walking out to your car. If she runs over to happily greet him, you’ll fuel the fires.
5. Take action to modify your dog’s behavior, and your own behavior.
Make changes to accommodate your neighbor and protect your dog. If his complaint is early-morning noise and she’s barking when you let her out at 6:00 am while you shower, alter your routine. Get up earlier and go out with her. Let her eliminate, then play with her. Keep her quietly occupied rather than leaving her to find her own entertainment. If it’s random throughout-the-day backyard barking while you’re away, bring her in and close the dog door. She doesn’t have to be outside all day. If things get ugly, leaving her out unattended exposes her to great risk from an irate neighbor. If necessary, pay someone to let her out for a noon potty break. If the complaint is about barking even when you are home, behavior modification is in order. (See “Modifying Your Dog’s Barking Behavior“.) If it’s something other than barking, determine how you can modify the situation to mitigate the problem. Some examples:
-Your dog charges the fence. Your neighbor fears for his children’s safety. Make the fence solid, or put up an inner fence so there’s an “airlock” between dog and kids. See, “Solve Fence Aggression with a Better Designed Dog Fence,” for more info on fencing.
-Your dog came over and attacked his dog. You think your dog was just playing, but whatever. Vow that your dog is never off her leash in your neighborhood. Even just walking to your car.
Keep your neighbor informed of your efforts to address his concerns. Document your actions in a journal in case you do have to face animal control. Ask your neighbor to let you know if he sees improvement – and document that. Save receipts for anything you buy to modify your dog’s environment. If you see your neighbor deliberately antagonizing your dog, document that with a video camera. Keep your dog safe. Be considerate. Keep baking chocolate chip cookies.
I have 2 jack Russell both are yapping at someone who excercises there dog on the car park Opposite me he the chap sits on the wall which my dogs don’t like he does it everyday Twice since the lock down there is also 2 Others that excercise there dogs by throwing a ball my jacks bark when they see them. My jacks bark at unusual noises and when the post man comes There is flats at the back of me and the young chap came round about them barking and should keep them in. He also said that they bark at 4 in the morning but only if they here a noise other than that they go to bed with me and get up around 9am. He said he was going to get the RSPCA and will be sorry when they get taken away they are my life as I am 73 he also said that I will be sorry he has been filming all this
Train your dogs or get rid of them. Time ta pull ya finger out id say sonny.
I have a neighbor. She has two dogs. Starting in November they started to bark. Not during the day, but as soon as the sun goes down. It doesn’t stop until the sun rises. So one day I text her and asked “hey. Is everything ok over there, your dogs are going nuts.” Her reply was “yes. I hate them. They keep us awake at night. You may hear me yelling at them. If you know of someone who wants them they can have them.” I thought maybe she would do something then. It continues. In December I again have reached a tipping point and text her. I told her I have a vibrating collar she is welcome to try. I’m not trying to get her to get rid of her dogs. I want to help her keep them since she has kids who may be attached. She said No thanks. She hasn’t heard them much and she thinks they got better. I told her No. it’s actually the same. They are moving closer to my home. Then she joked that the mailman pulled up in her yard and knocked on her door. The dogs never even made a sound so it scared her to hear someone knock. I’m like !!! Sure enough when the sun goes down it starts. So she knows it. She said she did. She knows it’s an issue. Here it is April and I’m still Not sleeping. I’d love to sell my home and move but I should’t have to. Can’t afford to either. I could cry thinking this is my life. I contacted the sheriff who says there is no law against it but they can talk to her. They can check the decibel level but says in his experience no dogs reach 85dcb from a neighbors house. Grrrr There is literally nothing I can do. I love dogs. We have a lab. I trained her not to bark at everything. If she does she quickly runs inside and I look to see what it is. If someone told me my dog barked all night I would fix the that problem. My dog will not be one disturbing the peace. It’s rude!! Control your dogs. It’s not that hard. I’ve started hating my house. Intense when it starts getting dark. I hate it every single night. I haven’t been sleeping and it’s affecting my health. I’m out of options.
Here’s an idea – Find our when your neighbor’s “quiet time” is (obviously not at night). Make a recording of a barking dog on your iPhone or some other device and PLAY IT LOUD until she comes over to knock on your door. Do this every single day until she muzzles her dogs.
I live in an apartment building with thin walls. I had a neighbor who had a loud home phone that rang all day while she was out. I work nights and she worked days. So I politely explained the situation to her and asked her to turn the ringer off during the day.
She did not do it.
So after that I just put my phone up to the adjacent wall and rang it as loud as I could, night after night until I could here her and her husband wake up.
She finally got the picture and the ringing stopped.
Actions speak louder than words. Disturb her world big time for a week or two and you will not hear those dogs anymore.
When we moved into our home the 3 neighbors had dogs who barked at each other, people and those who walked by. Our dogs weren’t the barking type, we did have a dog who would bark every once in a while but she didn’t like to be outside. One particular neighbor her dogs were involved in a fence fight and they blamed the other neighbor’s dog. That dog was put down. Now we have a dog who likes to be outdoors. The dog has started barking and engaging with the other dogs. I put a stop to it when home. I did leave my dogs out recently not realizing it would be an issue, while gone during the day. Same neighbor with fence fighting dogs has come to our home and complained that she has been yelling and screaming commands at our dog and it won’t listen. She put bark collars on her dogs to put one on ours and she is in fear of being in her yard as is another neighbor because of our dog. Our fence doesn’t meet hers, her dogs still bark and now I am managing my dogs yard time. I am fine with controling my dog. Training a dog takes time and effort. I am upset that she is antagonizing our dog and that having 3 barking dogs in her yard is fine. She has also complained in the past about doing our yard work on the same day as everyone else because it bothers her. I don’t know how to please her.
Barking dogs belong in third world countries, along with feces on the street.
If you don’t have the basic empathy and consideration, to not keep your neighbors awake with an animal, best you move to a third world country.
Otherwise, people will complain and eventually take you to court. This is a human society, not a kennel.
I agree. I bought a house for some peace And quiet; large lot, only one neighbor near me. I have a disabled son who needs rest. Our neighbors moved in around the same time and put a pool practically on the property line. Every time their children swim, their dog constantly barks. I kindly asked if there was something wrong Because the dog actually sounds distressed,and They said the dog was protective of the kids in the pool. I told him I understood that if they could please train the dog we would appreciate it. It honestly sounds like the dog is in our house barking. I think everyone on this thread is talking about excessive barking not the occasional bark or playful bark/ yip. Working from home, my colleagues actually commented on the dog barking outside. Maybe it’s the acoustics of our houses and the proximity but I’m going to buy an ultrasonic machine that I meant to sound every time the dog barks. Seems to be the only way to solve the issue. Any way I think my neighbors are very nice,but they are very lenient with everything and that includes the dog! I wish I didn’t feel my blood pressure rise after 15 minutes of constant yipping, I actually thought of moving even now I just finished unpacking
I appreciate this post. All the fighting everyone else is doing kept me from going over to my neighbors house at 5am and knocking on her door. I have anxiety and do not like controversy but this morning I was ready to put it aside because I couldn’t take it anymore.
Probably 3-4 days out of the week I am woke up by their dog. I have lived here almost 2 years and it’s been building up since.
I got a puppy a year ago, she doesn’t bark, except when she hears other dogs barking, so mornings at 5am are a fun time for me after I’ve been worked a 12 hour shift at the hospital.
I’m not an asshole. Not all of the people who are frustrated by barking are assholes. Some of them may be. But some of them might just have had enough.
Amen. We are not an agrarian society who gets woken up at the crack of dawn by a crowing rooster – or a barking dog.
I live in a very densely populated apartment complex and the neighbors think nothing of bringing their dogs out to bark and play at 5:30 am. They wake up the entire neighborhood.
There is also currently a coronavirus epidemic in NYC where I live. There is a hospital nearby and many Drs, nurses and other hospital employees live here. Lots of people work swing shifts around here too.
The sound of your barking dog is not music to anybody’s ear at this time.
There are quiet lots and non residential areas a few blocks away where your dog can bark without disturbing others.
Too lazy to walk there? Then don’t be surprised if the neighbor gets angry.
3 days in a row same neighbor tosses a ball under my window at 6 am. I politely asked the security guard to have a word with him and the man walked away.
However he learned nothing and continued to bring his barking dog there.
So this morning I went out and gave him a piece of my mind. He said that it was not him, that’s the first he heard of it, etc.
Believe me, if your neighbor comes out in their pajamas and tells you to keep your dog quiet, you are disturbing them, whatever the hour.
Take your dog away from the building. People who play catch with their barking pets in the predawn hours under their neighbors’ windows are lazy and inconsiderate.
Take your dog elsewhere to bark. We have a wide riverfront park about a quarter of a mile away. Your dog can use the exercise and so can you.
Especially during coronavirus people are cooped up, they may be working from home, educating their kids at home, recovering from illness at home.
What kind of person wears a mask to protect themselves from coronavirus but disturbs all the neighbors with their barking dog?Not one who really has any idea what is actually going on around them.
After reading all of the comments about people who have dogs and think it’s “ok” for them to bark all the time is ridiculous. Dogs are wonderful creatures however please understand that nobody wants to listen to your dog bark for hours on end the same way nobody wants to listen to a crazy person scream on a bus or train the whole 3-hour ride. At least you can get off and take a quiet cab the rest of the way. At home, it’s not that easy.
You’re responsible for your dog and the noise it makes.
If it’s you with the barking dog then try to keep it quiet and don’t use the excuse “that’s what dogs do”. Would you blow an air horn in Church or Class and say “well, airhorns are loud” when people get annoyed.
Dogs don’t help with break-ins at all. Look on youtube at what dogs really do when an intruder comes in. They run scared or don’t do anything at all.
I agree that shock collars and muzzles are not nice. There are vibrating bark collars that really work and don’t hurt the dog. If it’s you with the barking dog the least you can do is call them inside where only you will be disturbed with the incessant barking. Pets need supervision and training.
I agree 100% – I read excuses from too many owners of barking dogs here defending their inability to manage their dogs. You’re the owner, guess what, it’s your responsibility as the dog owner to find a solution, not the responsibility of all the neighbors you’re offending. They didn’t ask to be exposed to this nightmare. If you don’t think it’s that bad, then you’ve grown used to the barking. Stop making excuses for the barking and truly be a responsible dog owner. And it’s not the dog’s fault, so don’t blame the dog. They have probably received little to no training. And stop being selfish to think your dog’s barking is just what dogs do and others just need to understand. No, they don’t. Have some empathy and consideration for your neighbors. There are many beneficial online resources, trainers, products, and common sense solutions that will help you deal with your barking dog. Stop ignoring the problem, take responsibility, and find a corrective solution for the issue.
My nieghbor across the street has an annoying loud agressive mut that barks at everything all day including me if it sees me doing anything. I have an Australian shepherd that only barks at something that is a threat like strangers coming onto the property. When she barks I go take a look. But what good is a dog that barks all the time. The nieghbor said it’s my fault because I once went to his house and told him he had a prowler on his property so thats why he got the dog. No logic there blaming me. If you ask me it’s not the dog disturbing the peace; it’s the human nieghbor doing it. He figures since he has lived in his house twenty years before I came along across the street well then he has rights and can do no wrong. I just say: Need my help sometime pal, you won’t get it.
I took my puppy from a dog foster home about a year ago. I love him to bits; he has a great personality, and I feel that he loves our family so much, but he barks A LOT… So, leaving home is always a challenge for us. My husband and I were thinking about taking him to ‘doggy school’, but then again, it’s extremely expensive, and the nearest ‘doggy school’ is far away from us. Maybe you have some advice? THANK YOU!!!
Getting sued is also expensive Robert. Have some consideration for your neighbors, stop being anti social and shut the dog up.
Remove sections of the fence if you own it. It forces the neighbor to spend the $ for their own fence and should their barking animal come on to your side…..
So, I am curious, as a dog owner, I do have a barky dog. My neighbor hates me with a passion. I get it, I would hate me too. They bark when were not home it seems. We have lots of company, they bark. Yet not at night ever. And no 6am barking either. We’ve had training, bark collars, shock collars, double fence, treats when she stops barking, keep them in in evenings. She is a catahoula. It’s frustrating. My neighbor wanted to have my dog’s voice box removed. She never barks more then 20 min in a row. people are always walking dogs and that gets her going. I don’t know what to do to not get sued. Yet my neighbor says I have done absolutely nothing and plans to sue me over it. They don’t work, don’t have air conditioning..perfect storm. please, not looking to be bashed. really asking for some alternatives I might not have done.
Why can’t your dog be inside? If people don’t want to keep their pets inside with them, then why do they get them? Not meaning to be rude to you, just a serious question.
My parents have a similar situation. Their dog is only about 2 yo and is still very cute 🙂 she is also a mixed dog that needs to run a lot. She is still young enough to get into mischief though so thats why she has to stay outside when someone isn’t there with her. Both my parents work full time jobs so playtime is usually afterwards. She doesnt really bark in the house and she sleeps inside at night so she’s only usually out sometime between 7-8 am till evening. My parents have tried training and treats, the vibrating collars, and the emitters for when she barks. She still barks though it depends on the day for how long. Sometimes its a few 2 min back and forth barking in the neighborhood and sometimes she barks for 15 min. But its usually when no one is home. My parents have tried so much but now they might be getting a fine because one neighbor keeps calling. I’m sorry that she needs to do this but I just don’t know what else I should suggest to my parents. I do know that someone suggested that they remove the dogs voice box but my dog does alert us to potential dangers there was one point that she reacted a mountain lion that had come into our neighborhood and let us know through her reactions (alerting and protecting) while she was in the house. To my parents she is part of the family and it feels cruel to take away her voice.
I don’t believe you bought muzzles or bark collars cause both would shut that annoying dog of yours up!
ever think some of us are FORCED to use aircon because of loud jerks like you?
oh poor you! how dare they open their windows!!!!!!!