I wish I had researched this some time ago when our neighbor’s dogs barked incessantly. They would leave the screen door to their deck open while they were gone to work and wherever else for hours on end. They also had two dogs that used to bark all the time. Despite filling many noise complaints, nothing was done about the noise. The dogs started to really annoy everybody in the neighborhood, as they would bark continuously, day and night.
I am in no way implying that dogs should not bark! They are dogs and that is what they do. It is understandable when the dog barks because it feels lonely, abandoned, it is left outside the courtyard by mistake, or it is hungry or thirsty. hence just plain curiosity. Dog owners may even unconsciously encourage this behavior by offering their dogs rewards when they bark. They do not realize it, but giving your dog a treat or a pet on its back makes it bark even more often. This behavior will tempt the dog to bark all the time, in search for extra attention.
Leaving your dog outside is not the best solution. It will make it bark even louder, plus that extreme temperatures can make it ill. Some dogs are held in crates while their owners are away, but they shouldn’t be kept there for more than four hours at a time. One of the things you could do is keep it indoors, yet offer it a view on the outside of the house or apartment; it should have a space of its own where it can feel relaxed. Do not forget that the dog also needs a bathroom. Buy it a litter tray, or use a pile of newspapers in the farthest corner of the room. A better alternative would be to make it a doggie door so it can go outside to do its business.
So let’s say you have done all of the above and perhaps even more and your dog insists on constantly barking or perhaps it is your neighbor’s dog that is doing this annoying habit-what then? Perhaps a bark collar might be the answer. If it’s the neighbor’s dog that’s so loud, and you don’t want to confront its owner face to face, write him a letter in which you explain the situation and ask him to take the appropriate measures. It is possible that the neighbors are not even aware that their cute little dog is barking its head off while they are at work, although I am sure my neighbors knew since they had so many noise complaints brought against them. If he doesn’t pay attention to your letter, you may write him again or, better, confront him directly and suggest him to buy his dog a bark collar.
If dogs are loud all the time, then you should do something about it. If barking turns becomes a constant habit for your neighbor’s dog, suggest him to buy his dog a bark collar. If you want to read more about how you could solve the barking problems with a bark collar, click on this link.
Tags: Dachshund, bark collarTags: bark collar, Dachshund
