Dog barking at 4:00 A.M. Need good advice.

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One neighbor is placing their barking dog out around 4:00 in the morning for around 20 minutes, barks the whole time,then they bring him in before they go to work. Do not want to call them because they might have a harrasment law suit filed against me. Called the township supervisors and they said their is no law on the books on barking dogs. They said they are trying to get a law passed on the subject. Good advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance everyone, especially Stan, I know he will have a good response, no offense meant, appreciate his good humor. MARY

-- Mary (marwel@microserve.net), April 19, 2002

Answers

1 call to them isnt going to bring a harrasment suit.

You either call ot live with it.

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), April 19, 2002.


ON second though I guess there is a 12guage, but if your worried about a call generating a law suit then I would bet this would be ou of the question.

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), April 19, 2002.

Record (video preferred, but lighting may be a problem, so a tape recorder will do) the dog the entire time of barking over several mornings. If you can, show how close the dog is to your place.

Even if there is no law against barking dogs, there still should be some laws about disturbing the peace, and a dog easily falls under those laws.

Have you tried just talking to the neighbor (with a witness) informally? Maybe they are honestly clueless. Maybe they feel that if everyone else has a dog in the neighborhood, theirs can bark too. Some places also have neighborhood mediation. Or just wait 'til the law is passed, and go after them then, but the earlier you can establish the problem (talking, then letter, etc.) the better.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), April 19, 2002.


i don't see how one phone call can constitute harrassment. tape the dog and play it under there window in the middle of their night. you'll lose a little sleep, but they might see how irritating it is. my dh is a day sleeper, so phones are turned off in the bedroom, and our friends are quiet when they come around-just in case he's sleeping. a barking dog at that hour is rude, even if i'm already awake. especially if he's just barking for the heck of it. my pyres bark through the night, but the neighbors all say they can't hear them, and we have no livestock losses around here, so it's worth it-i can sleep through the normal bark but the get out here there's a bad thing around wakes me every time. call them or go visit them-once shouldn't hurt, especially if you take a witness. otherwise file a disturbing the peace on them, unless you do something similar that disturbs them and that's why they put the dog out. you may not even be aware if you do it. they may not be either.

-- laura (okgoatgal@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.

ok, if they are up at 4, must mean they go to bed early,, take some cheap hamburger,,soak it in antifreeze over night,, throw some "meatballs" over there,, and when they let the dog out,, that should be the last time,, just make it a few,,so it finishes them all up (no evidence),, and if it happens the next night,,do it again

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), April 19, 2002.


Better yet! Throw Stan over there! That should scare the dogs to death!

-- silly me! (sillyme@sillyme.com), April 19, 2002.

If your neighbor is willing, shock colors work extremely well and are fairly inexpensive. Dogs learn quickly and do not cause any damage to the dog.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), April 19, 2002.

Stan, Joking or not, that is one of the nastiest things I have ever read on this forum!!! Not only are you proposing to kill a poor dog who has no idea that he is doing ANYTHING wrong (his owners are to blame for improper training), but you are taking the Coward's way out by making it a sneak attack. (I won't even go into the potential for other animals - even kids - to injest that stuff!) Have you ever seen what that kind of poisoning does ? (Since you suggested it, you probably have.) Anyone capable of such a despicable, spineless act is the SCUM of the earth in my book!!!

-- Deborah Stephenson (wonkaandgypsy@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.

Especially shocking pink, personally I love shocking green! Sorry I couldn't resist the shock color comment.

I know I have had a similar problem. I have called the sheriff's department and although there is no law they will stop by if some one is in the area to advise that someone has complained.

I would talk to them face to face, as someone else said maybe they are clueless. They may put the dog out and get into the shower.

On Stan's idea but not nearly so lethal. If indeed they do go to bed early and if you have taped the dog barking. Play the barking dog back to them through a megaphone.

Susan

-- Susan in MN (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), April 19, 2002.


Lighten up on Stan. She asked for a Stan answer.

-- John in Mn. (nospam@mywork.com), April 19, 2002.


I'd call them up and be very pleasant . . . they're going to be defensive, so there's no need for you to go on the offense.

I'd gently suggest a shock collar. For those who are horrified by the idea, all I can say is that it saved our sanity with our yip-yip dog. She learned very quickly, and is quiet as a mouse when the collar is on . . . even though the battery died long ago, she doesn't know that. {grin}

-- Julie Woessner (jwoessner@rtmx.net), April 19, 2002.


I have to agree, Stan you can be gross at times [ and funny sometimes] but killing a animal for its owners mistakes [ in its own yard]is terrible. I am curious stan have you ever had a close relationship with a animal, dog?, Horse, Pig ect?you defintely seem anti animals some times.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), April 19, 2002.

I have dogs that bark like that on every side (so will mine). I play the tv or radio to block some of the noise and when it is unbearable I make friends with the dog [I asked the owners the names] so it will hush when I tell it to. I can now do yard work or even run power tools at any time of the night without the dogs barking at me.

-- Thumper/inOKC (slrldr@yahoo.com), April 19, 2002.

I have had.have alot.most kinds of animals,, but I know what they are,,JUST ANIMALS,,peoples rights come first,, Most "owners" dont give a dang about their own critters, and if they wont take care of THEIR problem,, them someone will,, simple. You could also check on noise ordinances, say,, if there is know construction till 7 am or heavy equipment operations,,, you hsould be able to get the dog barking "noise" covered under something like that

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), April 19, 2002.

Lighten up, folks! Stan is being Stan. For goodness sake, what did you expect!

My advice is to record the barking and also date each one. Talk to the owners about it and play the tape. I wonder if they even know that the dog is bothering anyone. Like someone said, maybe they take a shower. Good luck!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.



Amazing! Seems like no matter what anyone posts anymore there is always controversy...LOL! Ardie is right, Stan is just Stan. My gosh, you had to see that one coming for crying out loud. If he didn't post a response like this one, we would all start worrying about who that guy was and what did he do with Stan!

-- Karen (mountains_mama2@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.

#1) Try talking to your neighbor. Okay, so that didn't work.

#2) Do they own or rent?

If they rent, send a letter to the land owner informing he/she that when his tenants wake you up-you will wake he/she up. Every time. It really works!

#3 If they own the property, this is childish-but make a disturbance at their 'quiet time', you'd be surprised at how people will react! We have a neighbor who would use his damn leaf blower all day on Saturday, then have Sunday cookouts! (we asked him to tone it down, and he wouldn't') So. we set up DH's compressor to run all day on a Sunday, right behind his pool/patio. He was yelling over the fence "Can you shut that thing down!!?!#@& Sorry, Can't HEAR YOU!?"

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.


Gosh, I kinda liked Stan's answer myself! I personally would talk to the owner....and I have been known to use my son's high powered water soaker on dogs before! If they get used to the water....I use pee. Sissy

-- Sissy (iblong2Him@ilovejesus.net), April 19, 2002.

I've got a good idea, lets put a shock collar on Stan and everytime he makes sarcastic and cruel remarks on otherwise innocent and sincere queries, we just press the shock button. I personally am beginning to cringe and purposefully look for queries that I think can't possibly be answered by his sarcasm and masochistic sick sense of humor.

-- antifreeze annie (whatdayathink@stan.com), April 19, 2002.

This is Mary, I posted the question on the dog barking. Thank you for all of the answers,good and humorous. I am sorry to read all the posts on Stan's response, lighten up folks, Stan has a very good humor and good advice most of the time, take it with a grain of salt and sit back and enjoy this very good forum, I know I do.

-- Mary (marwel@microserve.net), April 19, 2002.

Might not be what you want but try a BB gun. It's not really cruel at all (If that's what you think). Pump once or twice and shoot it in the rump every timew it barks. You'll have to be up a few nights in a row but it definately works. The BB, at that low of velocity, stings him but certainly doesn't penetrate at all. He'll get the message real soon. Have to zap him as soon as he barks though.

-- Mike in Pa (smfine@yahoo.com), April 19, 2002.

I really likes Stan's answer, I even liked not only putting a shock collar on Stan and throwing him over the fence too!

How about if we throw Stan over the fence to put the shock collars on thh dogs and if Stan survives....reward him with hamburger!

-- LurkyLu (lurkylu@yahoo.com), April 19, 2002.


I think I would take up 3 a.m. woodcutting for a few nights. Just crank up the old chainsaw for an hour or so before they wake up. Oh, wait a minute, you were asking for Good advice....sorry. ;^}~

-- gilly (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), April 19, 2002.

Stan's idea is used often.

They make a gizmo you can hang on your fence. When the dog starts barking, the gizmo emits a sound that only the dog can hear. It doesn't stop until the dog quits barking. He can't stand it and quits barking. Not sure, but I think Radio Shack carries it. So does Jeffers, Valley Vet, Omaha Vaccine, and no doubt other places.

Jeffers - Mini Barker Breaker

Jeffers - Sure-Stop Barker Breaker

Valley Vet - Super Barker Breaker

Omaha Vaccine - Scroll down to the Ultra Sonic Bark Stopper Model and below it is the Ultra Sonic Pet Trainer Model

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.

Naw Stan! Antifreeze doesn't work all that good. Use syrup of ipicac. the dog will be puking all day and they will spend a fortune on a vet bill.

-- Just Duckie (Duck@spazmail.com), April 19, 2002.

Roro,

Thanks for the info about repellers. It beats some of the other solutions posted, although they were interesting I must admit. I have had problems with dogs for years, and it is really bad again now. Got to do something, my wife works 2nd shift and the neighbors put out their dog at 6am, after my wife has slept for about 5 hours. Try that for a while and see how much you like animals and inconsiderate owners.

Talk to you later.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.


we went through this before in Mexico. we took to throwing water over the neighbor's wall (cement fence) a w/a splash of vinegar (for bad taste, smell, and a little sting). Everytime the dog barked, he got a faceful of that stuff. It helped somewhat but it boils down to insensitive neighbors. Complain, call, make a fuss....sounds like the arent the kind of people you would want to be friends with anyways.

-- Najia (najia274@yahoo.com), April 20, 2002.

Throwing MEATBALLS FILLED WITH POSION of ANY KIND is ILLEGAL...

EVEN IN PUERTO RICO, STAN>>>>>>>

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), April 20, 2002.


Who was rhere first? You or the people with the dog? This could have bearing. We hade a commercial kennel when I was younger and neighbors that had moved into subdevided properties decide it wasn't proper for the neighborhood anymore. We educated them on "grandfather clauses". We had one person do the poison bait to us and thanks to the power of video tape, jail time and punitive damages, we owned his property in exchange for the loss of three registered canines.

Also check the parameters of any noise ordinances. Here, the "loud noise" ordinances restrict activity between 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. They may be within the legal times.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 20, 2002.


I love the compressor idea and the chain saw at 3:00AM is wonderful!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), April 20, 2002.

Mary,,what a delemma,,but lots of good suggestions,,I thought of being ready in advance to throw ice cold water on the dog,have a couple buckets ready,,or if you have a hose hook-up,,that's even better,,,may have to do it a few times if the dog doesn't "connect" right away.

Here there is a "disturbing the peace" law and "have your dog under control laws. Gosh,,4 am is surely not the time to let a dog be barking and disturbing the neighbors. ***

Also, talking to them about the problem is a good idea. (even if it don't work,,you tried) ***I had the same trouble here. I talked to the person 3 times,,and threatened to call the Sheriff if they didn't take responsiblity to control their dog and stop it from harrassing myself and the other neighbors.,,,It worked for awhile,,than they went right back to the same old routine. **They finally moved,,I was soooo relieved!!!Such a blessing!!**** Hope you can get the matter settled in peace..and finally get a good nights sleep,,,,By the way,,I love the "chain saw idea,,:-)...Would give them a taste of what you go through every night...,Hang in there,,,Patsy

-- Patsy, MT (cozyhollow-gal@care2.com), April 20, 2002.


I agree that a barking dog is a nuisance....but for Stan's answer...poisoning any animal with antifreeze is a FELONY now in our state....also it is a cruel way to end an animal's life...

videotaping and/or recording the barking dog is the best bet. If the neighbor won't help, then at least you have something to take to court with you....

the ideal solution is if we all could live on our own homesteads AWAY from ALL neighbors.....

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), April 20, 2002.


A guy I knew had the same problem with his next door neighbor's dog. He built an electronic dog whistle, turned it on and let it run.

A couple of weeks later he saw the neighbor in the yard and asked where the dog was since he hadn't seen it for some time. The neighbor said he had to get rid of the dog because it starting barking continuously and they couldn't get it to stop. The neighbor never figured it out.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), April 20, 2002.


We had a similar problem only the dog barked all the time; day and night. Talked to the lady of the house who referred us to the man of the house. When no one would listen to reason, we called the police. Some people just don't care. I too liked the chain saw answer.

-- Hank (hsnrs@att.net), April 21, 2002.

The dog thinks it has something to bark about. After being in the house allll night, he's proclaiming his dominance/protection. The dog doesn't have enough time outside, and thinks all the world is his challange. What breed is it? Should tell you something. And also whether his owners knew what the hell they were getting into to start with. If this is "in town" there are ordinances. If no zoning, etc, then the friendly approach is best. They may be wondering how to control the dog also!

Dennis

-- Dennis Enyart (westwoodcaprine@yahoo.com), April 21, 2002.


Thank goodness I live in the country for my own sake! People have always dropped off dogs at my place and I have always taken them to shelters. I have these two cow dogs I love. They will bark when they see something like coyote, deer or just a bug!! When they bark it last for a good hour. Now during the day if I let them out on the the land they only bark at the bad things like coyotes which keep them away from the sheep (which they don't really during the day they seem to bark a lot at night. I luckly and husband can sleep through it but I would hate to be my neighbor. I have always thought what would I do in a subdivision, I guess I wouldn't have farm type dogs then. My in door basset hound only barks when someone comes to the door so what kind of dogs are these that are barking in the subdivisions?

-- debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), April 21, 2002.

I agree with Stan!! Only make a meatlaof with it!!! and give it 2 the owners!!!

-- Grizz workin near D.C. (southerneagle@yahoo.com), April 21, 2002.

I have a couple of dogs who do bark on occasion, and I hate for them to bother the neighbors. We try very quickly to call them in as soon as they start barking, but I'm not sure I'd like them to be shocked, and feel they can NEVER bark. Being a single woman with 3 daughters, I like to have a little security when someone comes to the house. There has got to be a happy medium somewhere!

Sue from NH

-- Suzanne (s_tudor@hotmail.com), April 22, 2002.


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