So how do you get a neighbor’s dog to cut the noise? Here are a few steps you should take.
A good solution for this kind of barking is to block the dog’s view with a fence, some kind of screen, or some privacy bushes and trees. If the dog can’t see you, they are less likely to think of you as a threat.
If your neighbor’s dog won’t stop barking, it can go beyond a minor annoyance. A barking dog who doesn’t belong to you can disrupt your sleep, ruin your peace of mind, or become a headache-inducing nuisance.
Instead, go to your neighbor directly. They may not be aware that there’s a problem if the dog barks while they’re away at work or out of the house. Or they may already know the barking is an issue, and they could be trying to work on it.
Dogs can bark if they’re being territorial and sense that you’re moving in on their turf.
Block the dog’s view, make friends, be present
If the dog barks every time you walk into your backyard, blocking its vision might help. The dog is probably trying to protect its territory, but if it can’t see you, there’s no danger. Put up a fence screen, or plant some privacy trees and shrubs along the property line between you and the neighbor’s yard.Advertisement
Of course, it could just be the sound of you in your yard, or even your smell. If blocking the dog’s view won’t work, it’s time to kill it—wait for it—with kindness. The dog barks at you because it sees you as a danger to it and its family. So, in order to make it stop barking, you need to not be seen as a danger.
Jen DeHaan, dog trainer and founder of DOGthusiast.com, suggests you make friends with the dog. Politely ask your neighbor if you can meet their dog and maybe play with it a little. You want the dog to get used to your presence and your scent. DeHaan recommends you have the neighbor bring their dog over to your yard too, so they can get a good lay of the land and its many smells.
Food is an easy way to a dog’s heart too, but do not feed somebody else’s dog without their permission. The dog could have trouble digesting foods other dogs can, it could be on a very specifically timed diet for health reasons, or it could have allergies. The last thing you want is to make your neighbor’s dog sick. If you feel so inclined, ask the owner what kind of doggy treats they use, and ask if it’s alright for you to give them one from time to time.
Lastly, the dog might bark at you every time you go in your yard because you don’t go back there very often. It needs to get used to your presence, but it can’t if you only go out there once a week. Find a way to spend more time out there. Put on some noise-cancelling headphones and read a book, start a garden, or do your workouts in the grass. At the very least, take some old shoes, T-shirts, and socks, then place them along the fence so the dog can get used to your smell. Make your presence known so it doesn’t surprise the dog anymore.Advertisement
Dogs will be dogs, which means they sometimes bark, but you can teach your dog to control their…
Acme 575 Shepherds Mouth Nickel Plated Brass Dog Whistle
This whistle, designed specifically to use with working dogs, is ideal for anyone who wants to keep their hands free. Made from nickel-plated brass, you insert it in your mouth and manipulate it with your tongue to produce a range of different pitches.
This dog whistle is audible, so both you and your dog can hear that the command has been given. The material that the whistle is made from is shatter proof and bite resistant, so it shouldn’t come apart in your mouth or if it makes it into your dog’s. It is also pretty affordable, so it won’t leave you out of pocket.
If you are planning on doing the type of training with your dog for which it would be beneficial to keep your hands free, then this professional moth whistle is what you need.
FAQ
How can I get my neighbor’s dog to stop barking?
When the neighbor’s dog starts barking, give the whistle a blow. It may cause more barking at first, but if the pup comes to associate their barking with the irritating whistle sound, they may eventually stop barking to avoid the noise.
Is there a silent whistle to stop dogs from barking?
- Talk to your neighbor first.
- Block the dog’s view, make friends, be present.
- Use a dog whistle or a sonic training device.
- File a formal noise complaint.
