Someone has complianed about our dog barking

[mieow]

We recently took on MIls dog as she couldn't handle him anymore, he has calmed down a lot (he's a Jack russell) but he winges when we go out. He is fine when we are here, but he does winge. We have had him for about 1 month. Anyway today when we were out (for a hour) someone in a big white van came round, and asked one of my neighbours when we would be back, and told her it was about the dog barking. He isn't used to be being alone and hates it when I go upstairs. I can't take him everywhere it not possible, but what can they do?

I don't know mieow, sorry not much help, could you not get another to keep him company? probably not practical but thats all thats coming in my mind at the moment

We leave the telly on so he has sounds, but can't get another one

mieow, reminds me of a situation where i used to live everytime the neighbour went out the dog barked all day but she did leave it outside for long periods. Can the dog go to family? Maybe it might be a idea to take the dog with you when you go out if that's possible or what about dog training they might be able to help. larsxx

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This is a difficult one - can you talk to your neighbours and explain the situation? It was obv one of them who complained. I don't know the breed but some dogs are not good at being left alone, especially if they have just been uprooted and had a change in circumstances as yours has.

There is a good book called "the perfect puppy" which deals with things like this. Or plenty of articles on the web like this one

I think it is mainly because he is not used to being left alone. Try leaving him alone often but for very short periods of time and gradually increase the time he is alone. He should get better with time, when he knows you will always come back to him and when he is more adapted to his new surroundings.

Our neighbours dogs were de barked after complaints, not sure how that works though I imagine it is surgical and a bit nasty really.
Can you call a dog trainer in perhaps?

Hi mieow
I think you need to get a cage - I know, it sounds horrendously cruel, but really its not. Many dogs bark when left alone because they are frightened, but by being in a cage, they are in their own secure space - it might take a few days to have an effect though. Your vet can advise you on good ones, the best ones I think are the ones with a plastic base, they are easier to collapse and much lighter
I have to say though, much as I love dogs, my own in particular , it would drive me absolutely bonkers to have one next door barking a lot - sorry!

They can't do anything. Someone complained about our dogs and the dog next door barking, and they were told that nothing could or would be done. Did the van not have anything written on it? If it was an organisation such as RSPCA it would have a sign on the vehicle. Have you tried giving the dog an item of your clothing(unwashed!), or a cuddly toy that you have slept with for a while? It may comfort him. Don't worry though

Our dog was a bit like this, although the neighbours didn't complain but could hear her. We got over this by leaving her for short periods at first and gradually increasing the time we left her on her own. Eventually we could leave her for hours at a time with no distress (from either side) As someone has already previously posted, this may have been a way for your neighbour to lodge their complaint rather than having to actually spell it out for you. He's obviously unhappy at the moment because he's out of his old routine, give him time, lots of attention when you are around and then hopefully he'll settle more. If not, I would take him for dog training, this would help establish you as his new owner. HTH

yes it can be followed through in serious cases- ourold neighbours got a court order to stop their dogs barking, this was just 18 mths ago! They were horrendous! It went to court, either get rid of the dogs before x date, pay for them to be debarked or risk them being impounded and rehoed or put down, they opted for de barking.

a barking dog can be classed as noise pollution - the courts are taking things like this very seriously now

My neighbours dogs (two of them - terriers) used to do this every time they went out, for about 6 months following them moving in next door. It's ridiculous to have to listen to someone else's dog(s) yapping all the time, at best irritating, at worst disruptive!
Some things that have worked with dogs I've had in the past are to never say 'bye'. As they gear themselves up for a long wait, and start to worry. Another thing which has worked is to perform a 'going out' routine (getting jacket and shoes on, etc.) then sitting down with the dog to play! Then extending that to going out for 5 minutes, then 10, and gradually more until the dog is comfortable that you are always going to be back, and sometimes in 5 minutes! We used to have terriers at home, and they are known for getting a bit obsessive and neurotic, but they are also lovely pets, so really I hope this works out for you .
(BTW, sorry but yes they do come under noise pollution, so steps can be enforced to rectify the problem.)

Having lived next to a persistent "barker" I can understand why they complained! In fact, it got so bad the neighbours the other side did complain - not sure what happened other than it's now lovely and quiet

I accept dogs bark and I didn't mind initially - but this went on between Monday to Friday, from 7.30am (when they left to go to work) until 7.00pm. I couldn't leave my windows/back door open as it was so bad and I used to try and go out to be away from the noise. The dog wasn't left indoors - it was left outside in the back garden.

WE are here most of the time, its just when we go out he appartently is barking, when we come home he is always asleep, I think he is jumping up on the table under the window and barking at people as they go pass, so I will move it. I will start to take him out with us when we are visiting people, but I can't belive he is that bad as he doesn't bark at all when we are here.

you can bring him to my place. get nikki used to him a bit more.

Dogs can bark all day if left alone. When I weas growing up we had a dog that did just that. Used to drive the neighbours barmy! They complained several times and I cant say I blamed them. Sorry but if I was living next door to a do who barked all day, day after day, I would take it as far as possible to stop it. I do think you have a responsibility to take action unlike my parents who didnt

I am here most of the time though and he doesn't bark at all, except if someone knocks at the door, so I can't see why its a huge deal to someone (and I have my ideas who it was) as we are only go out 2 hours max, normally one of us is here anyway. Can't belive that someone has complained and not even had the courage to come and say "look your dog is barking when you go out. Can you sort it out?"

sorry but would drive me mad. i work from home and if a dog was barking for 2 hours (even 1 hour) it'd really bug me. Would probably say something first to neighbour though.

Your dog is probably bored and lonely and dogs bark, it's part of their makeup! There are various toys you can use to keep them amused so have a word with your local petshop/vet and they'll happily give you advice. When we are going out we use a cone shaped toy that the dog has to play with to get treats out of and she loves it. We like watching her play with it too! Can you leave the tv/radio on so he/she hears voices?