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Can you help me with an issue, please?

I live in a detached house on a quiet "dead end" street. I have new neighbors living next to me. These neighbors have two dogs - one elderly, the other is a young German Shepherd. They are leaving the German Shepard on the back porch - unattended.

I love dogs (went over and gave them a "Welcome" basket filled with dog treats) I also love to garden.

He barks THE ENTIRE TIME I am gardening. I wear Air Pods and try to listen to podcasts but I literally cannot hear it. I honestly don't know how they can tolerate it?

How would you handle this situation? I want to get it right.

Thank you.

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Queendragonfly · 31-35, F

I wouldn't talk to them about him barking, believe me, they know he barks. However I'd ask them if they would be ok if you let him hang around you when you're gardening and you can play with him while they're away from home and keep him company.

dontbekoi · 36-40, F

@Queendragonfly I love this idea! Thank you ❤️

CountScrofula · 41-45, M

@Queendragonfly This is a brilliant answer.

SW-User

@Queendragonfly that's a great idea. Win win!

hartfire

Depends how much time you want to spend on the issue.
I happen to adore dogs, so I'd befriend him and be his other companion when they're not around.

Pity they don't let the old dog out to keep him company - but there's probably a good reason.

If they took him for a long walk first thing in the morning, he'd be ready for a sleep when they have to leave for work.
That would help - but once his energy recovered he'd be at it again.

Try looking up vlogs by dog whisperers.
There are many with different styles.
I like Cesar Milan's.

Your quickest and easiest option would be to politely mention the issue to them and put them onto the vlogs, esp. ones that teach him not to bark when separated from his human pack. (Yep - it's possible with the right technique).

If you love dogs and would enjoy putting in the time. Maybe the new neighbours might be happy for you to dog-sit their youngster while they're away. You could use that time for training.

He may also be bored. You could try behavioural enrichment games.

dontbekoi · 36-40, F

@hartfire Thank you for your suggestions! I am such a fan of Cesar Milan 😊 There is also a really good book that I used on my puppy called The Art of Raising a Puppy.

Jackson711247 · 36-40, M

Its not much you can do if they dogs are barking in they own backyard. You could ask them to try and quiet the dogs but don't think that will work. Sorry no good advice with a solution. That's the only reasonable one i can think of. Im not a fan of dogs either though.

View 1 more replies »

Jackson711247 · 36-40, M

@dontbekoi i was thinking something about home owners association asking them about it. But wasn't sure if there was one.

dontbekoi · 36-40, F

@Jackson711247 Unfortunatley, No. It's just me.

Jackson711247 · 36-40, M

@dontbekoi aww sorry to hear that.

CestManan · 46-50, F

If the owners are reasonable people it might work but usually people that have dogs like that are kind of pains in the butt themselves. When people have things like dobermans, rottweilers, pit bulls, German shepherd, cane corso, or just any breed of dangerous canines they are typically not the classiest people in the world.

But if you do talk to them, or if they are just the type of people you do not want to deal with at all, I think they have these things you can put in the backyard or porch or whatever that put out like this ultrasonic noise that disturbs the dogs and that might train it to stop barking when it sees you. It won't know where the sound is coming from really and humans cannot hear it so look into something like that as well.

Entwistle · 56-60, M

Step one..talk to your neighbours politely.
Explain the situation and how it's disturbing you. Explain that if it's disturbing you then it's probably disturbing other neighbours.

dontbekoi · 36-40, F

@Entwistle Good advice -- thank you!

WanderingThrough · 31-35, F

Are there by-laws where you live? Where I am, people get fined for allowing their dogs to bark for more than a couple of minutes.

TheOneyouwerewarnedabout · 46-50, MVIP

Take a Palin off the fence and let him come help you garden

dontbekoi · 36-40, F

@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout This made me smile. I would love to!

justlooking2023 · 56-60, M

Don't let the neighborhood go to the dogs. :)

dontbekoi · 36-40, F

@justlooking2023 Too late! 😆

justlooking2023 · 56-60, M

@dontbekoi Do you have some loud koi to really get them annoyed? lol

akindheart · 61-69, F

I would politely tell them.

dontbekoi · 36-40, F

@akindheart I am thinking about sending them a note, in the mail, politley asking them to be aware of the hour(s) long barking. I'm a whimp - ha!

ExperienceDLT · M

Puppy treats

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

The new dog likely is establishing his new status once he is done with that he likely won’t bark as much. I really like what Queendragonfly recommends.

TurtleEclipseOfTheHeart · 22-25, F

Just explain your situation to them in a nice and genuine way and what you wish the outcome could be.

Teirdalin · 31-35

Instead of being a normal person and helping myself, I decided to get ChatGPT to help.

It sounds like a challenging situation. Here are some steps you could consider taking to address it:

1) Approach your neighbors: Try talking to your neighbors in a friendly manner and express your concerns about the barking dog. Explain that you enjoy gardening, but the constant barking is making it difficult for you to concentrate. Suggest some solutions such as bringing the dog inside during certain times of the day, training the dog to reduce barking, or perhaps moving the dog to another location away from your garden.

2) Contact animal control: If talking to your neighbors does not work, you can contact your local animal control agency. They can assess the situation and determine if the barking dog is in violation of any noise or animal control ordinances. They can also provide advice on how to handle the situation and may be able to mediate a resolution between you and your neighbor.

3) Use noise-cancelling headphones: You mentioned that you wear Air Pods while gardening, but you can still hear the dog barking. Consider investing in noise-cancelling headphones that can help block out the noise.

4) Plant a hedge or install a fence: If the barking dog is causing you too much distress, consider planting a hedge or installing a fence to block out the sound. This may not be a perfect solution, but it could help to reduce the amount of noise that you hear.

Ultimately, it's important to handle the situation with kindness and understanding. Try to approach your neighbors with empathy and be open to finding a solution that works for everyone involved.

Gumbodidlo · C

Steal the barky dog, put him in your garden and see how they like living next door to a barking dog 🤔

originnone · 61-69, M

Honestly,....I'd turn up the volume on the earplugs.

justlooking2023 · 56-60, M

Any progress in this area?

LordShadowfire · 46-50, M

The first step would be to talk to them. Tell them you love their dogs to death, but because they're outside all the time, they bark at you all day while you're in your garden, and it's starting to become a nuisance. Chances are, that won't work, and you'll have to escalate, but at least there will be a record that you did it the nice way.

dontbekoi · 36-40, F

@LordShadowfire See ... I'm afraid it will turn into a (pardon me) pissing contest > When it doesn't need to be. I;m thinking about trodding through the bit of woods that is inbetween our houses and go over and talk to it. If they come out I can smile and say something like ... I thought I would come over and say Hi since he has been trying to get my attention. Then they would figure out that
I can hear him?? ... I am not good with things like this.

LordShadowfire · 46-50, M

@dontbekoi I don't know what these folks are like. Whether they are friendly or not. It seems to me that the shepherd is feeling neglected, though. Or maybe he's just bored and barking at critters.

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