We all agree to the fact that dogs are a friendly species. A super excited dog wagging its tail once you get back from work is enough to lift your spirit. At the same time, a warm cuddle from your furry friend helps to ease the stress of the day.
But what if a “not-so-friendly dog” lives right next door? How to stop a neighbor’s dog from barking? A dog that always welcomes you with incessant yapping. The scenario can be upsetting and frustrating for the most devoted dog parent. Excessive barking and constant woofing can become a nuisance for the neighbors.
Maybe you are trying to put your little one to sleep or are trying to relax after a tiring night shift at work. Or you just want to enjoy “Me Time” at home peacefully. But the endless barking from the other side of the fence is driving you crazy. And now you are annoyed with the pet animal you admired the most.
Stopping your neighbor’s dog from barking is a bit challenging. Indeed, you don’t want to sound like an unfriendly neighbor.
We have some tips to help you tackle the ‘Barking Dog’ problem more smoothly.
Why Is The Dog Barking So Much?
Barking is a natural dog instinct. The animal uses its bark to express emotions, communicate with people, or call out to his fellow buddies. So, before you burst into your neighbor’s home to complain about the constant barking, remember the dog is just a dog.
There could be several reasons causing a dog to bark impulsively. Knowing the reasons behind a dog’s bark will help you remain calm while handling the situation.
- Dogs are described as territorial animals. They are possessive about their area and want to protect it from every threat. A random person or passing by cars around their territory (in this case, it’s your neighbor’s home) will stimulate the barking response.
- Dogs are energetic. They are always eager to utilize all their pent-up energy. Lying in their crate all day long with no physical or mental activity can cause the dog to get bored. Dogs turn to bark to release all that stored-up energy.
- Naturally, dogs are pack animals. They enjoy being socially active. Leave them alone at home for an extended period, and they will begin to bark continuously to show their unhappiness and loneliness.
- Dogs also suffer from anxiety. Separation anxiety is often a common condition among dogs. Continuous barking, chewing on their soft toys, and scratching the door’s surface are common symptoms of anxiety.
- The dog, with its constant barking, demands attention.
- Commotion or a lot of activity outside often causes the dog to get excited, especially when he has been idle for the entire day. He may hear children playing in your yard every evening and wants to participate in the activity, and he begins to bark excessively out of sheer excitement when he cannot.
Things You Can Do To Stop The Barking In Your Neighborhood
So, how to stop the canine friend living next door from barking? Thankfully, there are several things you can do to resolve this issue. Here are some tips to abolish the constant barking of the neighbor’s dog.
Keep Record
Before you chat with your neighbor about the situation, it’s best to know when the dog starts barking. Monitor the time of the day when the dog barks aggressively. By closely observing the barking schedule of the dog, you can pinpoint the reasons behind this unusual behavior.
If the dog barks on specific days, it may be a reoccurring event that upsets him. For instance, hearing kids playing in the backyard causes him to bark excitedly on weekends. Or maybe the garbage truck’s arrival on Monday will initiate the barking response.
Documenting events that provoke the barking response in the dog next door is a helpful strategy. Equipped with all the knowledge, you can help your neighbor determine the root cause of the problem.
Stay Out Of The Dog’s Vision
You want to enjoy the windy evening in your backyard. But as soon as you step into the garden, the territorial instincts of the dog kick in. The dog catches a glimpse of you and begins to bark continuously.
Try obscuring the dog’s vision if this has become an everyday routine. Place hedges and fences in the appropriate places. You can also place a privacy screen to stay out of the dog’s sight. When the dog no longer feels its territory is in danger, he will soon forget the habit of barking.
Become The Dog’s Best Friend
Dogs have an amazingly sharp sense of smell. So, even though you are out of his sight, he can still sniff your presence. If the visual blockage was not a helpful tip, it’s time to extend a hand of friendship!
Spend time with the dog, play with him, and familiarize yourself with the animal. To build a strong relationship with the neighboring dog, you can offer him a treat every time you meet him. If your neighbor agrees, take the dog on short trips to the garden. Chances are the pup is startled by your presence. Since he does not occasionally spot you in the neighborhood, he sees you as a potential threat to his territory. But once he becomes your friend, he will happily wag his tail at your appearance.
Confront Your Neighbors
Once you have all the facts and figures, it’s time for confrontation. Instead of getting annoyed and irritated with the continuous yapping, approach your neighbor calmly. Inform him about the dog’s behavior and share your research with him.
Most of the time, pet owners are unaware that their dogs have been noisy while they are at work. And even if they do know about the barking problem, they usually have no idea how to resolve the issue.
But since you are an ardent dog parent, you have all the right tricks up your sleeves. So, discuss everything with your neighbor and try to find a solution together.
Use A Dog Whistle
Dog whistles or ultrasonic training devices are commonly used to train dogs. But since your neighbor’s dog remains stubborn about his barking habit, these ultrasonic whistles can help you out.
The dog whistle emits sounds in the ultrasonic sound range. The sound can only be heard by the dog, making them restless. So, you have to blow the whistle when the neighboring dog starts barking. However, it will cause the dog to bark even more during the first few days. But eventually, he will realize that to avoid the unsettling ultrasonic waves, he needs to stop barking.
The Authorities Involved
You tried all the friendly stuff discussed above but to no avail. So, it’s time to bring the authorities into the picture. Contact the Animal Control Authority in your district and notify them about the situation. The authorities will visit the dog next door. They will carry a wellness check to ensure the dog is not being mistreated or abused.
To make your case valid, gather others in the neighborhood as well. The constant barking and howling may also affect others in the area. When you are all on the same page, the police will act against this ongoing barking ritual.