You just wanted a good night’s sleep, a relaxed afternoon rest, or a quiet study session, but you hear it again: the non-stop barking of your neighbor’s dog. While dogs are loving and adorable creatures, hearing their incessant barks can be beyond frustrating. Well, here are the best ways to stop your neighbor’s dog from barking and give yourself that well-deserved quiet.
Speak With Your Neighbor
The first thing to remember is that dogs don’t bark because they want to annoy you. So, you’re not supposed to get mad at them from the start.
Instead, you should approach its owner and let them know about your issue with their dog. However, keep in mind that they may not be aware of the incessant barking since they may be away from their home a lot of the time. Alternatively, they are already aware of it but unsure how to solve it.
Thank them for listening to your concerns, and let them know that you are willing to help them with their dog’s issue. Speaking to them with kindness will prevent your talk from becoming a full-on conflict. You can even share your tips on how they can handle their dog’s barking. Don’t go making any legal threats just yet. You need to be respectful and explain how their dog’s barking negatively impacts your sleep, concentration, and general wellbeing throughout the day.
Be Proactive
We know that dogs can be territorial, especially some dog breeds like the Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, and Rottweiler. If you think that the dog’s barking is because they think of your yard as part of their territory, then you can set your boundaries by erecting a fence or putting hedges in areas where you are effectively blocked from the dog’s view.
One other reason they may be barking at you is that they are not used to your presence. You can solve this by going into your yard more often, exposing yourself to the ire of a dog’s bark (but be sure to put some noise-canceling headphones on to drown them out), and making yourself comfortable even in the presence of your neighbor’s dog.
You can also put out items that smell like you, such as your old shirt, socks, and books. This will help the neighbor’s dog to recognize that you are not a stranger in your yard and make them stop barking at you.
Make Them Your Friend
If setting boundaries doesn’t work, you can also try to break them and make your neighbor’s dog your friend. After all, a dog is a man’s best friend, so you can take your chances and improve your relationship with them.
Ask your neighbor if you can see the dog every once in a while. If they agree, you can bring dog treats with you and even take them on a walk. You can also allow the dog to stay in your backyard so they can feel at ease in your presence.
Before feeding the dog, though, you need to make sure to consult with their owners to know if they have any food allergies or if they are only provided at precise time intervals.
Use a Sonic Device
Okay, so you’ve talked with your neighbors and tried to make friends with their dog. What if all of that doesn’t work? Then it’s time to be more forceful using an ultrasonic bark control device. Don’t worry. These devices cannot harm dogs. Dog whistles are used to train them.
Please think of this as your tool of being the surrogate trainer of your neighbor’s dogs since they can’t do it themselves. Make sure that you use this device as soon as you hear the dog barking. The dog will likely bark worse in your first attempts because they are irritated with the sound. But, as they get used to hearing the whistle whenever they bark, they will understand that the only way for this to stop is when they stop barking as well.
Keep in mind, though, that all dogs within a certain radius can hear the sounds you make through your sonic device.
We know that we’ve told you not to threaten your neighbor with a legal complaint, but if none of the above tips work, then you can use the authorities as your last resort and file a legal complaint against the constant noise.
Do your research about who is the appropriate authority to report to and if the noise you are complaining about falls under the definition of your area’s laws. Make sure to record the noise and ask other neighbors if they are bothered by the barks, which can help your case as you file a complaint.
Final Thoughts
Stopping your neighbor’s dog from barking can be a handful for you. However, given the right amount of patience, you will surely be able to stop them. All these steps can effectively solve the issue without harming these cute little creatures, so give them a try when you need them.