After facing noise pollution, you look up how to stop the neighbor’s dog barking up the place! According to the latest statistics available, there would be nearly 10 million dogs instigating potential barking sources of conflict between neighbors. Strictly speaking, a law concerning the noise pollution caused by the dog’s barking exists despite trying everything to make it stop.
Here’s How To Stop The Neighbor’s Dog Barking (Plus Owner Tips)
Why does my dog/my neighbor’s dog bark?
Yes, the dog barks, for many reasons, it has often been bred in history to play this role. Unfortunately, it often happens that this barking is considered misplaced, exaggerated, or even excessive.
Thankfully, there are various methods that make it possible to educate the dog, to offer him the place that suits him in the home, and thus to have a happy and fulfilled dog. Putting them into practice will save you as a pet owner many complaints against your dog who barks for a yes and a no, and they will especially avoid bad complaints from your neighbors!
2 Main Types of Barking:
There are 2 types of barking: normal barking, which has a communication purpose, and pathological barking, which reveals abnormal behavior.
- Communication barking is important for the dog who he needs to express himself, and barking is part of his means of expression, along with postures and smells.
- Pathological barking is often more like whining or howling than just barking. They are most often due to behavioral disorders, which require consultation with a dog behavior specialist. We know in particular the HS-HA syndrome, hypersensitivity-hyperactivity. This disorder is usually caused by a defect in the mother or by a brain problem. It is also manifested by behaviors other than excessive barking where the dog tends to bite and destroy everything within reach, the dog gets too excited and does not know how to stop, and he has trouble concentrating as well as sleeping.
The Main causes of Barking include:
- to say hello, when you arrive or to greet another person;
- to express a need, when he feels neglected, hungry or thirsty, wants to go out;
- to call for play, the barking is then accompanied by this posture where the dog lays his front legs and his head on the ground while his hindquarters remain upright;
- to express excitement, if he has not exerted himself enough, the slightest stimulation may cause over-excitation and barking;
- to express anxiety, it is the case of a dog who cannot bear to be left alone;
- to alert of danger, this one being still outside the territory;
- to warn of an intrusion on the territory, the dog tends to protect its territory and many barkings are the object of it;
- or to threaten/warn an intruder, another dog or a person.
The more the dog gets a positive response, the more he will bark, since he is reinforced in his communication. This positive response is most often involuntary (like a pet which is used to calm humans down) on the part of the master or the master’s friends who will have a reaction comforting the dog in his barking. The passage of the postman is a good example: this intruder enters the dog’s territory every day, which barks, and the postman leaves, he has reinforced the dog’s behavior.
What dog breeds bark more than others?
- the chihuahua,
- the westie,
- german shepherd,
- yorkshire,
- Malay Bichon,
- the Lhasa apso,
- the beagle.
Certain breeds of barking dogs, notably terrier breeds, have been selected, programmed over time to warn of danger, for example on cattle farms. So they will bark all the time, when the elevator stops, the phone rings, etc. Reprogramming can be effective, which will better target their responsiveness.
Shepherds, on the other hand, protect their territory and their “herd”. Don’t let them patrol the front door when you’re not there, and teach them not to bark. Uncastrated male dogs also have this tendency, which can be reduced or even disappear when they are sterilized.
Sporting and working breeds – these dogs need a lot of physical activity, they are dogs chosen for their physical resistance. Unoccupied, they get bored very quickly and express this boredom by doing stupid things: holes in the garden, destruction of objects or furniture, barking. Take it out before you go away for a long time, and favor sporting outings, so that your dog comes home very tired. And don’t forget to leave them toys, balls, bones, to keep them occupied.
What dog breeds bark less than others?
- australian shepherd,
- greyhound,
- chow chow,
- newfoundland,
- labrador,
- Danish,
- the pug,
- the French bulldog.
- Dog barks
Dog barking during the day – what does it mean?
The barking of your neighbor’s dog is not against the law, as such. So you have to show a little tolerance. Depending on duration, repetition, intensity you can take action against your neighbor’s dog barking, but sometimes the following are considered as a noise nuisance:
- The dog that barks every time you approach its gate;
- The dog that barks constantly when its owner is not at home.
Dog barking at night – what does it mean?
At night, the dog’s barking is considered nocturnal noise from the moment its owner is aware of the trouble it is causing and takes no action to remedy it. This nuisance is characterized when the criteria of repetition, intensity or duration are not met. It should be noted that the law does not give any precise timetable. To be recognized as nocturnal noise, the noises caused by the dog must therefore take place when it is dark.
As dog owners, please note that your dog doesn’t necessarily spend the whole night sleeping soundly. His instinct keeps him alert to unusual noises or movements around him. By barking, he signifies to the intruder that he is there and that he must move away. So, to prevent your dog from barking at night:
- Install it in the quietest room, away from street or outside noise.
- Install white noise: television, music, fan, etc. can limit the perception of outside noise.
In the case of puppies, nocturnal barking can also be due to an urgent need. When he is small, the dog is not able to hold himself back, and this ability gradually sets in as he grows up.
There are other possibilities too, such as using the toilet:
The need to pass stool may occur at regular times, depending on meals. Note the times when he barks at night and the following nights wake up ¼ hour earlier to get him out, so he will get used to no longer needing to bark to complain. Reward him when he has pooped. Gradually push back the waking hours to help him hold back longer and longer.
Set up a litter box for him as soon as he arrives at your home. This must be away from where his bowls are installed, but also from where he sleeps and where he plays. Get him used to this litter by putting him on it as soon as he starts to turn in circles and sniff a little while after his meal, reward him.
Dog barking solutions for the neighbor
Chat with the dog’s owner
First, contact the dog’s owner to try to find an amicable solution. In the vast majority of cases, he does not realize the inconvenience caused and his dog barks mainly when he is absent.
Notify the dog’s owner
If the dog’s barking persists, it is necessary to send a reminder letter to the owner. Give him 15 days to act. After this period, if you do not notice any change, you must notify your neighbor by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. On google, there are sample letters to report nuisance dog barking to your neighbor.
Additional help from the law – initiate legal proceedings
You can also have the noise pollution you are experiencing recorded by a report drawn up by the police, a bailiff or a municipal agent. If all your attempts at conciliation have failed, you have no choice but to initiate civil proceedings – to obtain compensation – or criminal proceedings.
It is good to know that you can provide some extra evidence to prove the noise pollution to court such as:
● The letters exchanged with the owner of the animal;
● The established minutes;
● Testimonials;
● A certificate establishing the impact of noise on your health.
In some cases, the court orders the owner of the dog to put an end to the disturbance and condemns him to pay his neighbor damages.
In some cases, the judge can order measures to stop the barking such as the installation of a separation intended to keep the animal away from places of passage, soundproofing of the accommodation.
If the author of the disturbance is a tenant, the judge can pronounce the termination of the lease for non-respect of his rental obligations.
Keep in mind
- All evidence must be legally obtained, for example, you cannot film your neighbor without his knowledge.
- While the neighbor’s dog barking at night is still considered a noise nuisance, during the day it must meet at least one of the criteria provided for by law;
- The attempt at amicable conciliation is a mandatory prerequisite;
- Sanctions can be civil and/or criminal.
Dog barking solutions for the owner
Your dog’s barking can be disturbing, whether for your potential neighbors, or for you, especially if the animal is too talkative. But what can pet owners actually do to stop your dog from barking? Communication barking, although normal and necessary, must be targeted to intervene only wisely. A good education makes it possible to manage and limit these expressions. Observe your dog to determine the cause(s) of his barking to be able to put in place a strategy, but the simplest thing is to educate him well as soon as he arrives.
Please keep in mind one thing: if a dog barking for no reason, with moans that may accompany this barking, may be a dog in physical or psychological pain. A visit to the veterinarian will help you see things more clearly and help your dog.
Now, let’s look at some tips for making my pet dog bark less.
A good education – social and physical exercise.
Excitement, surprise, even fear, are reasons for barking when it comes to dog behavior. This is why it is important that it is well socialized from an early age, before its 4 months. Having met people, other animals, vehicles, the dog will not have this type of reaction in adulthood and will not bark at every pedestrian or bicycle he crosses. He has socialized with his inner environment and outer environment.
Think of it as a child who needs to go out, get social and visual stimulants to learn about human behaviors, rules, boundaries, play areas, social commands, how communication works, and limitations in society. The child who is left indoors is under-developed and might develop other psychological issues.
Next, when it comes to dog behavior please note that teaching him about barking is relatively simple, especially if done early. When your dog barks unnecessarily, calmly command him to be silent with a word that you will use consistently, and as soon as he stops, reward him with a treat and petting. As we gave the example of the child above, a puppy that is left alone often shows anxiety, which can manifest itself in barking, among other things. To avoid this case of the dog barking because he is alone, accustom him to loneliness as a child, as soon as you welcome him into your home.
If it’s excitement or boredom, it is quite simple to remedy this: spend more time with your animal, play with it, stimulate it physically and intellectually for at least 15 minutes a day.
Provide him with stimulating toys so he can occupy himself when you are not available. If he barks because he is too happy when he is playing with you, stop playing with him, and corner him until he calms down and fully submits in surrender, by doing so, he will quickly understand that it is his barking and his excitement that are driving you away from him.
Psychological techniques – become the leader of the pack at home.
It is also important to make it clear to the dog that you are the leader of his pack and that it is up to you to protect the home, not to him.
Obedience exercises are effective for this learning: such as sitting down, etc.
These orders will be very useful to silence your dog who barks when a guest or the postman arrives!
Ignore.
Ignorance is the opposite of reinforcement, so simply ignore your barking dog until he stops. Whether it’s a greeting, an alert or some complaint, your lack of reaction will show the dog that it’s pointless to bark.
On the other hand, it is crucial for this to work that you never give in to the temptation to react, at the risk of provoking the opposite reaction in the dog where he thinks: “oh I need to bark longer, harder, faster for attention”.
Ignorance is more or less a punishment, and this works the same way. It can be used but only if you are sure you can apply it systematically, and as soon as you bark. If this is not the case, it will be rather counter-productive.
Counter-conditioning involves preventing a dog from barking by keeping it busy with something else: for example, commanding it to sit so that it has its back to the object of its barking. reaction, and reward it. It is easier to make him obey if he is not too excited by the object that makes him bark. Once he is seated, reward him. Divert his attention from what makes him bark by having him play.
However, this method is not valid for a dog barking to get your attention. This little exercise should be repeated at least twice a day. Give a reward when the dog responds to your command not to bark.
What to avoid.
The electric anti-bark collar:
The electric shocks sent by the collar in the event of barking can cause stress in the dog: depression and anxiety, which can cause behavioral disorders such as aggression or destruction, inhibition, even self-mutilation.
The anti-bark gas collar:
These collars send a gas (odorless or scented with citronella) under the dog’s nose with each bark. This one makes the dog stop barking in surprise. After a few squirts, the barking should stop, but the collar should be left around the dog’s neck, although in the “Off” position, because contact with it will deter the dog from barking… as long as he remembers what happened last time. Small reminders are to be made as soon as the dog lets go again. Although not painful, this method suppresses all barking, whatever it may be, which is not good for the balance of the dog.
Rewarding the dog when he barks:
Reinforcing a barking dog with cuddles, a massage to calm him down, with petting is certainly confusing human behavior with dog behavior. Reinforcing a barking dog is not necessarily intended as a reward: caresses, speeches, but the dog received attention while barking.
Hitting:
Hitting your barking dog is a bad system, it reinforces the barking even if it is negative reinforcement.
Don’t expect your pet to stop barking at all, he needs to express his emotions and it’s important that he can do so. Without this possibility, he will be able to express any discomfort by other means: aggressiveness, destructive behavior, inhibition, or defecating inside.
My dog barks only when he is alone, is it separation anxiety?
Yes, separation anxiety is common in many dogs.
This anxiety can also manifest itself at night when you sleep if you do not sleep with him, or during the day, when you go to work. Loneliness will lead to deep despair in the dog, which is moreover a social animal, having always lived in packs or with humans. So what to do for your dog who barks when he is alone, at night, or even when you leave?
It is important to get him used to consider your absence as normal and no longer associating your presence with games and cuddles on-demand:
Avoid responding to each of his requests, it’s up to you to go to him to give him some attention.
Don’t let him sleep with you in the same room.
When you go to leave or go to bed, ignore it for the previous 10 minutes. When you come back, also ignore him for a few minutes, you will go cuddle him a little later.
“Play” from home, first for very short times, then longer and longer. If you hear your dog barking, knock sharply on the door and walk away again. On the other hand, each time he has not barked, congratulate him, reward him.
Offer him a toy that delivers treats, or even a chew bone, which will distract his attention.
Put on soft music or the radio, this white noise will also attract his attention and limit barking.
If nothing seems to work, a behaviorist can help you reestablish good habits if the dog is already an adult and you can’t do it on your own.
