Neighbours getting irate about barking puppy

[MattDillonsPants]

Our Maremma is 5 months old. He loves to be outside and that's fine usually but he is still learning what to bark at and what not to bark at...they're very protective and need training to learn what's ok.

He probably has a bark once or twice a day....when he does we go out and let him know it's ok and there's nothing to bark at...we praise him when he stops barking....neighbours have just ROARED at me over the fence and said "You need to tell him NO! Just say NO! TO him!"

I said as calmly as possible, "He's very young and still learning, he's attending puppy classes..." and she began to blether on about some guide dog trainer but in a loud and mean voice.

What do I do? I don't want them shouting at me....but won't shout at the dog...they're old and probably not up on the latest methods...

[Lighteningirll]

Tell her tfotfsofafosm you are clearly training the dog and her angry head threatening the puppy and you gives said puppy something to bark at. Then go round with a peacekeeping wine or flowers and say the same thing nicely and calmly.

[MattDillonsPants]

Oh and as soon as he barks I go out....but just now, I took all of one minute to get there and could hear the man shouting at him really nastily.

For the record we live in Oz and the garden is massive.

[MattDillonsPants]

I don't think I can remain calm enough lightening :( My heart was beating like mad just now....I felt upset because of how aggressive they are.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

How long does "having a bark" last?

To be honest, whilst I agree with your training methods, I don't think this is sustainable for any of you.

Your neighbours are clearly highly irritated at having to listen to a dog bark a few times a day - some people wouldn't mind, but they obviously do. They don't seem to think that you're doing enough to stop this behaviour. How long have you had him now? Is the barking getting better?

You could ignore them but it will create a stressful environment for you, and they'll undermine your training methods if they're shouting at him anyway.

[MattDillonsPants]

I go out the minute he starts Anchor,,,, its probably no more than 3 times a day tops....it seems to be them! He'll watch people and dogs walk past the end of the garden happily....but they come out and he goes off. It's because the old man has been telling him off if you ask me.

I don't know what to do...the barking has definitely improved...when he first got here he would bark at everyone who passed the end of the yard but now it's only at the neighbours!

Perhaps I should put a note in their door explaining the methods and apologising...hoping they'll join in!

[MattDillonsPants]

I agree that it's hard work me going out and stressing when I hear him. Because the house and the garden are very large, I'm dropping everything and dashing! I don't know what else to do though.

[MattDillonsPants]

Decided with DH to leave wine and card on doorstep for them...in it we'll say we're sorry for upset ...and ideas on what I should say in card?

[OurBlanche]

Dear Neighbours,

I am sorry our puppy is annoying you with is barking. Fortunately he has got much better lately, he no longer barks at people passing by. Could we ask you to help us with the latest part of his training? If you could not talk to him or shout to him at all that should remove any stimulous to bark. We don't mean don't talk in your own garden, that would be daft , just please do not direct anything to him, don't talk to him or respond if he does bark.

Please be assured that I am always here when he is out in the garden and will continue to be prompt with the training repsonse to stop him from barking at all.

Kind regards,


Or ignore all of that and just write: If you'd stop shouting at him he'd stop barking. You are the only people he barks at now... YOU are the issue, not the dog!

[BlackMarigold]

If it takes you a while to get outside when dog "having a bark" then it'll be hard to train him. You need to be able to stop him after the first bark.
Can't you just go out with the dog and stay with him? Then you can stop the barking immediately, it won't do him any harm to spend less time in the garden while he's being trained.
When he's reliably quiet while you're there you can gradually start to leave him for a short period, I used to stand and watch from kitchen window so I could shout "quiet" and quickly go outside in case of barking.
It worked for my dog, he now just gives a quiet woof if someone walks past just to make sure I know .

[Lunar1]

How often is he just out there in his own?

[MattDillonsPants]

Black he prefers to spend all day out there! I can't live out there...I actually posted about it when we first got him. We try to get him inside, but he's having none of it apart from two very clear windows in the morning and at night....if I make him stay in the house, then he paws at the screen to get out again and sits by the door.

Lunar he's not "just out there on his own"

We're not dumping him out there. As above, he prefers it and we're always in and out. This is Australia and about 30 percent of my day is in and out...and the children are out even more.

[MiffleTheIntrovert]

I've no advice I am afraid but wanted to make the point that we have a barky dog next door and DH works shifts. When he's sleeping after a 12 hour shift which started at 2am he gets irate with the barking, just one is enough to disturb if it's loud (it's never bloody one bark for us sadly). It isn't fair on your neighbours.

[BernardsarenotalwaysSaints]

Oh crikey, I've just posted about this but from 'the other side' so to speak. I wish you were my neighbour though as you're working on it with him & he's only a baby still! I think you do just need to explain your methods to them & then carry on with all the work you're doing. Good luck!

[MattDillonsPants]

Part of the issue is that the fence is almost completely covered by bushes and small trees apart from one section which is about 3 or 4 feet long and unfortunately that section is part of their garden they use a lot and he sees their heads passing by.

Of course they have all the rights to do so! DH just suggested we make the fence taller there to block them out.

[Lunar1]

If you have huge gardens then a high fence would probably solve it so your dog can't see them. It's not like you have a tiny yard and it would block the light.

[MattDillonsPants]

Lunar do you think it will help then? I hope so....the other side is better fenced and that neighbour doesn't seem to set the dog off....I suppose the dog will still hear the grumpy neighbours....but sight is definitely making him bark.

[differentnameforthis]

The thing that is probably bothering them op, is that they may believe you intend to leave him outside, because unfortunately, that is the "done thing" here in Oz. Sounds like they are frustrated at the potential problem.

Also, you say you "go out to him" to tell him to hush, but then you say you are always in & out. Puppies do bark, but they also whine & cry ALOT, and I wonder if you are used to the noise, or cannot hear it as well as they can.

Please don't under estimate how much noise can bother people, and you need to do more than just going out to him. Maybe you need to consider bringing him in a bit more until he calms down.

[timeforabrewnow]

Don't give the neighbours wine to 'apologise' - jeeze - it sounds like they should be apologising to you and your puppy.

Just this

If you'd stop shouting at him he'd stop barking. You are the only people he barks at now... YOU are the issue, not the dog!

[MattDillonsPants]

Time DH has also changed his mind about that! He says that we shouldn't be giving gifts when they yelled at me. :(

I say, they're very elderly and we must just make whatever changes needed to keep them happy and calm. I don't want them getting upset...he's at least 85 and he was raising his voice...imagine if he had a heart attack!

No....I think we should just show our caring through actions. And redouble our efforts.

[differentnameforthis]

if I make him stay in the house, then he paws at the screen to get out again and sits by the door. Also, you are in charge, not him. You need to teach him to stay in & not scratch at the door.

I think making the fence higher is unnecessary, and isn't actually going to solve anything, because your dog will still hear them. You need to train your dog, full stop!

[differentnameforthis]

And I can't believe you blame your neighbour. They are shouting because they are frustrated with the situation. What do you do with the puppy when you go out?

I bet your puppy is barking way more than you realise.

[MattDillonsPants]

Different....can you offer tips on training him to want to stay inside then?

[MattDillonsPants]

If that's so Different then why is our other neighbour not saying anything and why is the dog not barking at all the passing golfers when he USED to do that??

[MattDillonsPants]

And why is the dog not barking at our other neighbour?

I'll tell you why. Because all he says is call out "Oh hello there...." or something innocuous. The dog doesn't bat an eye when HE comes out in his garden...and yes, the fence is higher there...but at first the dog barked when he came out...just as he did with the golfers!

[MattDillonsPants]

I work from home....the dog comes with me to take DC to school and to collect them. He has two walks a day.