How to best to deal with letter from council, regarding my dog barking?

[minesapintofwine]

Well more how to deal with my dog's barking?

I have a Border Collie female, aged 8. We have had her from 12 weeks (though even at that young age was 'rescued' from a neglectful owner) and has lived in this same house with us since. She has always been a pretty quiet dog, I think, but barks at the door being knocked. We, admittedly, half heartedly, attempted a bit of training with this when she was a puppy but never really pushed it (entirely our fault I know). In recent months (over the summer), she has barked at noises, passers by etc more and more. I felt a habit was starting as her situation hasn't changed and has always slept in my front window or gone to the back gate WITHOUT barking but now seems to be set off by things. A few days ago I spoke to dh and said we need to train her, as it was getting worse and annoying, and probably annoying neighbours. Today I received a letter from the council stating a complaint has been made. I am not surprised.

I do feel, btw, quite upset at the letter. Not that it wasn't justified, but that my neighbour went to the council before speaking to us. Myself and dh are really approachable and honestly, had anyone spoken to us, we would have been apologetic and reassuring that we would be taking action. Instead I am left feeling that I don't really 'trust' who it was and therefore who no longer sees me as a good neighbour (something I try to be). Like someone has gone 'behind my back' and I haven't been able to state a case(by apologising etc, they may just assume I don't give a f about my dog barking and peeing others off, when I do).

Ok this is all garbled sorry but the main point is coming....

Here are the situations my dog has started to bark in over the summer, when she didn't before:

1. At the back gate when bikes etc go past.
2. Out of the front window at passers by.
3. Out of the front window when we all leave the house.

She is definitely not barking 24/7 I'm certain (I assume the letter would have stated it?) but she has a loud and strong bark, an annoying one really.

So today I realised that my front window has been open ALL summer as I was getting damp from NOT airing the room. I realised that the last few days she has not barked as much and today the usual situations have not annoyed her, and the window has been shut. So, I suppose she might be sensitive to the noise? (previously I had not opened that window much ). So I am going to keep the window shut and just give short airings in the future. Today I have been going up to her when she is quiet and repeating the word 'quiet' over and over and giving her a treat. I want her to learn what the word 'quiet' means iyswim. I have been taking her up to the back gate and doing the same. I have made several pretend outings and gone out to the car as if I am leaving, usually even picking up my keys sets her off! So I have been saying 'quiet' and rewarding her for doing so.

Des this all sound ok? Is there anything else I can do? Has anyone had any experience of this?

Do you think the new barking has just formed as a habit? After all she has been pretty silent (and it's the first complaint) for 8 years. There have been two changes in her life in recent years.

1.I have 2 1/2 year old twins. (but the increased barking appeared over the summer).

1. She is having an op in two weeks to remove bladder stones.

She is walked for 1 1/2-2 hours daily, with time off the lead running after her ball etc.

I'm quite upset been a bit overwhelmed and tearful actually (thinkit was just a bit much on top of other life stresses).

Thanks for any advice you could give me. (and for reading!)

I just wanted to say how hard you have been working with your dog considering your toddler twins to look after too. I expect you must be exhausted.
I don't know why she has suddenly started to bark more than usual after 8 years but could be the age of your twins and her herding instinct?

You will be worried about her op too and hope she gets through that fine.

I am surprised the council concerned themselves with a complaint about a barking dog - that's what dogs do.
You have my sympathy and you are doing all you can to try to reduce her barking .
Good luck.

What has the letter asked you to do?

In your situation I would probably be proactive and show the Council that I am a responsible owner, doing everything in my power to sort the situation out, as that will go a long way in your favour.

You can do this by either calling the local dog warden and asking for their advice and support (this show's a willingness to work with your local authority, as the DW will be an LA employee) and/or booking a session with a qualified behaviourist (via the APBC ) and showing the Council some evidence that you are doing so.

A trip to the vet is also advisable for any sudden change of behaviour, lots of things, including sight and hearing issues, could lead to sudden reactivity where there was none before. You will need a vet referral for an appointment with APBC qualified behaviourist anyway and if your dog is insured they may cover a percentage of the costs involved.

I would feel exactly the same way as you do. My neighbours initially stuck a rude note on my front door when my dog started howling after the death of our other dog and I was so upset about it. It took a lot for me to pluck up the courage to approach them, but I was so glad I did, as I was able to explain about the death of our other dog being the trigger and as soon as they knew I was taking it seriously, doing a behavioural programme with my dog and not leaving him any longer than I had to (so just school runs that only take 20 minutes max) they suddenly became much more tolerant. In fact we enlisted them to help by asking them to drop a note through the door if they heard him at all while we were working on his behavioural programme.

We now have a rescue pup that also has separation anxiety and are going through the whole thing again and I'm so desperate not to annoy my neighbours that I've barely been anywhere for a year now, as I can't risk him disturbing their peace. Thankfully, they mentioned in passing the other day that they were just saying that they never hear our dogs anymore, so at least I know my sacrifice is worth it.

So, I do understand how you feel, you're constantly on edge, worrying whether or not they are being bothered by noise coming from your house - it's a horrible situation to be in.

I am not a dog expert...but when our dog was prone to barking we trained her to "bark to order"...this seemed to reduce it a lot alongside other measures like the ones you are taking.

Good luck, I am sure that your sensible approach will win through.

You could pop a note through the neighbours door apologising profusely and telling them that you are taking it seriously, which would make them feel better...and you too.

Good luck

Fool and foolish dog

] Thank you for the replies. I must admit I haven't felt much better today and had more tears! (I am NOT usually like this).

digerd thank you. I am trying really hard and you are so right it is hard with the dc which is why I think I let the barking slip. I've always made sure that she's had loads of exercise though even if Im taking the double pushchair (its not been easy, but my dog has needs too!). Im not sure if Im doing enough though? I do like fool's suggestion of teaching to bark to order. I've read about it but not sure how I can implement it. The last two days she has only barked, like 3 times, and I can't do anything to make her! Plus, I am very very aware of ANY barking annoying my neighbours. But its an option. I could ask a behaviourist as moose says. We've used the same one a couple of times.
moose, the letter was ok really. Basically says they have received a complaint (so just one I assume) of a barking dog, and that they will not be investigating unless they have any more. So, basically, 'keep the noise down'.

I love the suggestion of posting a note in neighbouring doors. I usually prefer face to face but am too embarrassed. I am going to post one tomorrow in my immediate neighbours, and the 2 opposite houses (though it may not have been any of them).

If I put something like this:

'following a recent letter drawing our attention to our dogs barking becoming a nuisance, we would wish to let our neighbours know that we are aware of the situation having escalated, and are taking steps to improve it. Also, we would like to apologise for the disturbance you have been caused. Whilst we are training the dog there may still be some barking, but hope that you will find things improve soon, but please bear with us during training. If the barking is still ongoing and a nuisance please post us a note, and we will try to improve further'

or something like that. Does that sound ok? I think I will feel less stressed (I am HUGELY stressed over this) knowing that I have at least explained what we are doing, and that she may still bark a bit to begin with. I may call the council too and let them know.

I will ask the.vet too at her op next week.

The training we've done this weekend seems to be helping a lot .

I think that letter sounds great and should really help.

We worried about our dog's loud barking and I went round to see our neighbour - she said it really wasn't a problem but I sensed she was being kind but not really honest! She went very red from her neck up to her face and protested too much for it to be truthful. But I was very appreciative that she was acting that way rather than getting cross. I reassured her we were tackling the problem with the help of a trainer and the act of communicating definitely felt the right thing to do.

Sounds like your training is helping. Could she be irritated by any pain symptoms if she has bladder stones?

[misty I dont think its the bladder stones. The vet said she shouldn't be in pain/much pain. Just lots of little wees! Her barking seems more reactive, to passers by, to cars passing etc. Where the window has been open think she has been showing some noise sensitivity. I've only realised this weekend doh! I will def post the note. I would like to try and repair a bit of a neighbour relationship as never, knowingly, upset them. We've lived here 11 years so its been a shock to suddenly find out we've become unpopular! (though I should have guessed my dog was getting worse). Im going to work reply hard with her. Its sad as she's lovely but does have some anxiety sometimes (not v knowledgeable of other breeds but think BC may be very alert iykwim), we've managed to keep it under control, but I admit I pushed this one until I could get away with it no more .

Your neighbour sounds v nice btw. Most of ours usually are, think this is why Im so upset. Some training and some (postal) communication should hopefully restore the balance. Or we will have to move I dont want to move!

minty, really...so many typos!

There is of course, always the possibility that it's not your dog they have been hearing, if she's not barking all the time.

I think the note is a great idea (wish I'd thought of doing that ) and will help you to feel less stressed about the situation. There's a massive difference between an owner that doesn't care and lets their dog bark all day and night and someone that does care and is working on it and an explanation of the situation should be all that's needed for any reasonable neighbour.

Regardless, it does sound like your training is already having a positive effect, so fingers crossed that will be an end to it.

The only point I thought of when seeing your proposed letter, is that I'm not sure I'd say that the problem had "recently escalated" - I'd just apologise and say you were aware of a complaint and that, of course, you are doing your best to remedy the situation. After all, it is probably just 1 person who's said something and your other neighbours are probably fine with it. Perhaps mention that time has been limited as you've just had twins!! Good luck and please try not to get stressed about it, you and the twins are the most important things at the moment x

Sounds like you have a plan :) just a suggestion. Have you tried mentally tiring her out at all?
You could hide her meals (biscuit kibbles?) to make her work for it, alternatively you could use a kong.
It might wear her out a bit more. I notice my springers rest more if I can manage 2-3 10 min training sessions a day.
Check out kikopup for training ideas :)

The council won't do anything unless the person who reported the dog barking notes X amount of barks per hour over a long course of time and in unsocial hours. It's a standard letter they just change the reason and address. So unless your dog darks for a long time often you have nothing to worry about.