Complaint About Rory's Barking (long)

[AmyPC]

A neighbour has complained to the local council about Rory's barking. Rory can be an annoying barker when she is outside (she is an inside/outside dog...whatever she wants, although she sleeps inside and is made to come in before my parents go to bed). She especially doesn't like birds landing on trees, wires etc in our yard. But we always try to catch it early if it is happening, by yelling, or bringing her back inside.

We are a bit concerned as we certainly don't think she is an excessive barker most of the time, and especially not at night, and the same woman also complained on a separate occasion about Mum & Dad's side fence that faces onto a lane that we think her apartment backs onto. She thought the fence looked shabby, and it seems she went to the owner of the house or the council, as the owner is now getting quotes for replacement. It is taking a long time though and the other day my Mum came outside to find that someone had pulled out some fence pailings and laid them across her driveway? Very weird.

Anyway, we are taking the complaint very seriously, as we don't want to be bothering the neighbours and obviously don't want the matter to go further. And hell, I hate overly-barky dogs too!

When the council man came around to the house, he spoke to my Dad and was really pushing this thing called Bark Busters, left brochures about it and stuff. Apparently their no-bark training technique involves throwing a chain on the ground to make a loud noise whenever the dog barks. Dad is really keen on using this company.

My Mum and I are not keen on this company and want to get a citronella collar. She called our vet who said Bark Busters is NOT recommended as their method is to scare the sh*t out of the dog and they also recommended a citronella collar. We are planning on renting one next week to use.

Do any of you know anything about the bark-buster kind of training, or alternately, used citronella collars? I think citronella collars are a great idea but am just hoping to god it works!

We are also quite worried that this lady now has it in for us and Rory and will pin any barking onto Rory, even if it is not Rory. Tonight I was on the phone with Mum and we were dicussing what to do and she was saying "well there's a dog barking now but it's not Rory as she's right next to me!" We're worried about how to prove the barking is NOT Rory, on the occasions it is not? Apparently the lady has been keeping a barking diary recording when she has barked!

For now I've just said to Mum to keep Rory inside until we get the collar, only let her out for toilet breaks, and supervised, but it's a shame, as she does like to be outside as well as inside.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated!

 

[Giddyuppy]

OH, boy! I don't think there's anyone that can't stand a barkin' dog anymore than me!

I've never HAD a barker, but have had some pretty barky neighbor dogs!

If I had a barker, I would keep the dog away from what was makin' it bark, and if need be...I'd put a nylon muzzle on tight enough to where the bark was at least muffled, and explain to the dog WHY the muzzle is getting put on.

As for the OTHER barking dogs...I'd get a tape player and record it! Then, do whatever I deemed necessary with it! Barking dogs drive me right up the walls!

Sure hope ya get it resolved! I don't envy you, AT all! Good luck!

 

[sarnewfie]

barking dogs, what about screaming obnoxious neighbor kids????
LOL
that drives me nutts but somehow that is ok.
rory it would have been nice had they come to you first before going to the city council.
i would not let her have freedom.
take it away, and any time outdoors is controlled.
i would walk her in the yard.
i have penny who is not so much a barker, but gives chase to any critter she sees, this at night is not allowed so in the fenced in yard at night she is on a flexi with me on the other end.
it takes away your freedom to just let her come and go at will.
but for now i think you guys need to control the situation by walking her on leash in her yard.
and maybe the collar will work, maybe not.
try and and see.
good luck!

 

[2Paws]

Our obediance instructor recommends the Citronella collar for our four legged students who have a barking problem. Our local Humane Society Shelter has a rental program for these collars so people can try them out before investing in one. I've never heard of the Bark Buster method but I'd really hesitate to use something which scares the dog.

I think keeping a log of when you take your dog out or of any barking noted by other dogs would be very wise. Good luck!

 

[roisinbutler]

Oh Amy what a drag!!! Ozzy is a barker at anything that comes within 10 feet of our house! When we brought Oz home we lived in the woods, our new house is in the village, so lots of activity. We taught him "neighbors" and he has controlled the barking at our neighbors cars etc, We also taught him "no Barking" which seems to work well unless there is something going on that he just has to chime in on. I agree with Sar, Rory should not go out alone, and maybe with you or your Mum or Dad with him, it will be easier to correct the barking when it happens
I also agree with Giddy, you should find out how many dogs there are in your immediate area and if need be, tape them! It is not irrational to think that any dog barking will be pinned on Rory.
I have no experience with either the collar or the training, though in my opinion the training seems harsh and excessive and you don't want Rory to never bark, just when it is important and not at a squirrel.
Good luck!!!

 

[Sailorgirl]

I can't help you on the citronella collar, but if this woman is keeping a journal of barking (whatever, lady ... get a life!) perhaps you want to start keeping a journal of when Rory is inside and when she's outside. That way if this woman does try to pin other barking on poor Rory, you can show her the journal and say "Nope, she was inside." (and then tell her to bugger off ... sorry, she sounds kind of weird.)

 

[Annie Milliron]

Originally posted by Sailorgirl:
I can't help you on the citronella collar, but if this woman is keeping a journal of barking (whatever, lady ... get a life!)

AMEN SISTER!

 

[Mickey1]

Hi Amy ! Boy this is crazy! I can't imagine neighbors not talking to you first before going to a council!!! what a jerk! It certainly doesn't sound like you are inconsiderate at all!...I'd go as far as saying that anyone who has newfs are probably MORE aware if they begin to bark!! Anyway ,I'm from New York and my neighbors are grateful when mine barks!!Who knows who or what he scared away!!!?? Sounds like she needs a love life or something to keep her occupied

 

[MMtnmom]

I can feel your pain. I had my son's dog here for about six months and got several anonymous complaints about his barking...including when he was asleep all night next to my bed! I think it was an elderly woman who lived across the street and he was the only dog she saw from her house although many other dogs lived in the neighborhood. Now we have boodles of dogs everywhere in this neighborhood...and she moved. We have barking dogs in the neighborhood but none excessive. Noone pays any attention anymore.

 

[tsunami]

First, I absolutely agree with the record keeping and supervision comments above. I would be very surprised in you have the only barking dog in OZ. I am somewhat familiar with the citronella collars, which are much better than the electronic zap variety. Unfortunately, with long hair dogs, the spray from the collar can get absorbed by facial and neck fur rendering it almost useless as a surprise after the 3rd or 4th spray. (A GSD actually developed a liking for the smell and our colleagues has a different problem on their hands.)

The muzzle suggestion isn't a bad one. There is something called a "Husher" muzzle that is elastic based and allows for eating and drinking. I haven't used one personally but they are very popular for dogs that commute with their owners on the train systems in Europe.

 

[Deanna]

Sorry to hear about your dilemma...

Well, now I have actually used Bark Busters methods. The chain isn't designed to 'scare the s**t' out of the dog but more as a surprise (probably much the same as the collar) and a distraction. I used the method for other problems such as jumping up. When I could see Baxter was going to jump I would either just throw the chain NOT AT THE DOG, BUT ON THE GROUND BEHIND, or just jingle it in my hands. It was enough to distract him and then I could give him another command or praise him for not jumping. You don't use the chain to re-inforce commands (eg, if you ask your dog to sit and it doesn't, you DO NOT use the chain), it is designed to be used a reprimand, a telling off for bad behaviour. Just think of it as a voice reprimand. Just like when you growl your dog, it doesn't 'scare the s**t' out of them but it makes them stop and realise they aren't doing what you want them to do. I was recommended them by my breeder and also got a Bark Busters book from my vet. I love Baxter to bits and would never want to do anything to scare him, (my first newf was a mistreated rescue and I wouldn't want to see any dog afraid, as she was). This was my experience in New Zealand anyway, I guess they would have the same methods in Australia.

I have no experience with the citronella collar though, so can't help there.

Just do what feels right for you. Maybe find out who your bark busters trainer is and give them a ring. You would get a feel for them and their methods and decide from there. Best of luck ....

Deanna

 

[AmyPC]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I knew you'd all come through with the goods!

I told my Mum to keep her own journal of when Rory goes in and out, however she is going along the line of thinking of "why would they believe me? I'm the one that owns the dog!". However, I still think it's definitely worthwhile doing it.

Never thought of the nylon muzzle, that's a good one too, at least until she makes the connection that she is wearing it to stop barking, and no barking = no muzzle!

I think we're going to give the citronella collar a go first and will then look to other methods.

Deanna, thanks for your input about Bark Busters, I'm glad to hear from someone who has actually used it. Hope I didn't cause offence with the 'scaring the sh*t' comment but that was actually quoting the vet! I still think it's one to be considered, but we will try the collar first. Someone who used bark busters actually gave Dad one of the chains so they have it there at home but haven't used it yet. Quite frankly, whatever works, we will try as we do NOT want to antagonise the neighbour! So if it scares her but it stops her, well, that is the idea really.

At the moment her time outside is being limited and supervised. Will report more next week!

 

[Deanna]

You are welcome and no it didn't offend at all. People have different ideas about lots of things and what works for one dog may not work for another. Maybe your vet had dealt with someone who had a dog that was easily scared and the chain may have frightened him/her. Baxter certainly wasn't terrified of it, he got to know that when he heard it, it wasn't a good thing though!! I am guessing your dad's friend had a positive experience with the method if he is recommending it to you.

Let us know how you get on with the collar.... I will have my fingers crossed for you...

Deanna

 

[brady]

Our neighbor next door is the exact same way. Instead of calling us, she calls the police! Way too long to tell the whole story. After 8 pm we keep the boys up on the deck with a gate across the steps. If they have to go down we go out with them. Brady will bark at the wind if it is blowing wrong. He has one of those deep low barks and you can't mistake him. If either one of them lets out a sound we bring them in. Funny though during the day they don't bark as much at stuff. I think it is because it is so quiet at night they hear everything. I think Sar mentioned loud kids, well this woman's voice will go right through you. This all started last summer when my Dad was ill. My poor husband got into it with this "woman" (I can't write what he calls her). These people are so entitled, they move into this neighborhood and try to take over. She also commented on our fence. She said she didn't like it! Right to my Mom. Our fence is a new 4 ft chain link, nothing special but it isn't run down or anything. I want to move to the woods where there is no one around!

 

[AmyPC]

Originally posted by brady:

She also commented on our fence. She said she didn't like it! Right to my Mom. Our fence is a new 4 ft chain link, nothing special but it isn't run down or anything. I want to move to the woods where there is no one around!

Ugh, I hear ya! We think this woman is the same one who asked if the marquee that we'd put up on the tennis court for one night was going to be a permanent structure.

Because she wants us to get a new fence the poor owner (who we don't know on a personal level, but lives next door to my parents and also has a barky giant poodle) has to replace a massive stretch of fence, which is going to cost him a fortune, I bet! It is a long property, for the suburbs.

I guess we'll see how this all unfolds in the next few weeks.

 

[slptomlinson]

Our old George was a barker. We didn't know there was a problem until this new guy moved in behind us. We came home from the grocery one night to find him hanging over the fence swinging a baseball bat at our dogs and cussing at us. They have lived inside ever since and are only outside under our supervision. We let them out and they have to come in if they start barking too much. Needless to say, that nasty guys wife left him and he ended up moving out and selling the house. Hah! Some people do get what they deserve.

 

[tsunami]

Amy ... Might I suggest a slightly different use for that chain ...

First - go find this woman that is causing all the noise .........

 

[workingdoglover]

We had a similar problem one year when we were camping.

We took our BCXGSD with us and she was good, and has never been a barker.

The woman in the campsite next to us complained to the grounds owner that our dog was being too loud. . Whining and moving around too much at night. (She slept in the camper with us). Thankfully the owner told her to take a hike and that we had been there years longer than her, and the dog had been around since she was 6 months old. And no one from our site had ever been a problem. And as he lives across the play feild from our sites and had heard nothing at all, there couldn't have been that much of a problem.

Of course, when her brats are running around at 6 in the morning screaming they rotten little heads off, she was yelling at her husband to get out of bed and banging pots and pans, did we complain, NO! At least not to the person who could have done something about it. He took care of that himself. Afterall, he could hear it all too.

 

[AmyPC]

We haven't yet used any methods apart from monitoring and scolding. and we've been keeping a 'bark diary'of our own.

It goes like this:

3pm - Rory outside - barked twice (as in woof woof")

9pm - dog next door barking, Rory inside sleeping

10pm - Rory outside, barked once.

11pm - Rory inside sleeping

etc, etc.

She really has been very very good but of course if she does let out a barrel of 5 barks or something we will rush outside and hush her or bring her inside.

So we will keep this up and see how she is going in a week.

 

[jhscott]

Yogi has been barking at something at our neighbors house frequently all winter. I go out and yell "no bark" and never see a thing. A few days ago I saw our neighbors outside and said I was sorry Yogi was making such a racket and hoped it wasn't a problem. I said that maybe someting was coming up into their yard. No problem they said--he is barking at our boys in the window. They wave at him to get his attention and when you come out they duck down. Luckily we have good dog loving neighbors.