My neighbor's dog is driving me crazy!

[mamamoon89]

My family and I moved into our first house two months ago, and we were very excited for our daughter to have a yard to play in. But...our next door neighbors have three dogs, one of which runs to the chain-link fence separating our yards and barks non-stop whenever we are out there. It is no fun to spend time in our yard because the dog is always out there barkly loudly and aggressively. Our neighbors are almost never home (they have a dog door so that the dogs can go in and out as they please, but they prefer to be outside barking at everything that goes by). I am really nervous about talking to them about this because I know that people are defensive about their pets and I don't want us to hate each other).
I had thought (hoped) maybe they weren't aware of their dogs behavior, but the other day my partner was in the backyard while one of them was back there mowing the lawn. The dog was barking incessantly as usual, and she (the neighbor) said something to my partner like "Yep, [the dog] is a barker!" Of course that would have been a great opportunity to start a conversation about it being a problem, but unfortunately my partner did not.

How can I talk to my neighbors (who I don't know well at all) without upsetting them but still getting things to change? Is there anything that they or I will be able to do to change this dog's behavior?

[philomom]

There are devices at the pet store that can train dogs not to bark at your property.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...SIN=B0009SY84M

I haven't used one but it would be worth the money if it works.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

Not sure how practical it would be for you money wise but you could get some plywood or similar boards and put them on the fence where the dog cant see through this may keep him from barking so much.

If they are not home I dont see how they could stop the barking.

[Ola_]

I would speak to the neighbours and ask if you could meet their dogs so you're not as much of a stranger to bark at. Also, find out if it's okay for you to toss them treats through the fence (and if there's special ones they need due to allergies, etc). You'd want to give the treats when they're being quiet, of course.

I don't think those high-pitched squealing gizmos do that much honestly. I got one at PetSmart when we got our first dog and while she noticed the noise the first time and stopped barking, she ignored it every time after that. Someone in our neighbourhood has a bigger one (not sure what kind) that goes off when our neighbour's little yappers start barking and it only makes them bark more. Twice as annoying IMO.

Another option - start growing a hedge on your side of the fence to block the view of barking dogs? Maybe something that grows fast, lol. Mind you we have a privacy fence and the barking is still pretty loud.

[Fuamami]

We had this problem once. We already had a difficult relationship with the neighbors because they threw garbage over the fence all the time, so we didn't talk to them. I frequently sprayed their dog w/the hose, though. It always ran back in the house all soaking wet, but they didn't ever get the hint.

[mattemma04]

I would ask the neighbor about meeting the dogs and tossing treats to lessen the barking every time you are outside.These would seem to cause the least negative/defensive reaction from the owners. If that does not help then I would install a single line of solid wood fencing to block the view.Eventually you might want to enclose the yard with fencing to be safe in case the dogs escape...or from strays.

Best money we spent was to fence our entire yard.I had to give up a new driveway and house siding,but it was worth it.

[mattemma04]

Oh and I wanted to add that I have 2 dogs,and if they bark for more than a mintue at someone I will divert their attention or take them inside. For some people the dog barking is the dogs job in a way to alter the owners to people near their home. I want my dogs to bark too but not constantly.

[SoulCakes]

I agree with all of these suggestions, but don't be afraid to talk to the neighbors directly. You can frame it as a "let's figure this out sort of thing", where you try several different techniques before you have to ask the neighbors to keep their dogs inside. They're disturbing your ability to enjoy your own property. They will have to keep them inside while they're away if nothing improves.

[Hadward]

My neighbor's dog is driving me crazy!

I recently change my house and my new neighbor have a Big dog. The almost barking at night and disturb the whole family very much and because of it me and my neighbor not pay attention to work suggest that what should we have to do