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Original poster

Barking dog in the morning, neighbour complained

59 replies

Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 08:00

We wake up just gone 6am each morning. Let the dog out and generally leave the door open whilst we get ready, especially since the weather has been better. There will usually be something that the dog will bark at so we would go and get her in. However if we are in the shower barking will be heard whilst we are getting ready and if there is something to bark at. Our neighbour has complained. We will look at bringing the dog in straight away after they have been to the toilet. I feel terrible this must be waking them up and disturbing them, it is obviously causing them annoyance. Are there any tried and tested methods for making the dog less reactive? The barking is defiantly reactive and it’s like they are on high alert when first going out in the morning. Usually the barking is when other dogs bark, noises such as electric scooters etc, sometimes birds if they are in the garden that type of thing. Thanks in advance.

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Original poster
Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 08:02

As an aside I think the routine will be out for a wee, back in and have a kong or kick mat. To keep them occupied. Barking during the day isn’t an issue, I work at home. We have indoor cctv in the room the dog is in and when out again no barking. It’s a reaction thing and as I have said above perhaps more on alert. They do bark if there is a dog barking on tv. Friendly dog, Lab/BC cross.

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Sprig1 · 13/08/2022 08:03

Only leave the dog free ranging if you are around to immediately bring it in/ask it to be quiet. That is what we do.

LadyCatStark · 13/08/2022 08:03

You definitely need to bring them in after they’ve been to the toilet. I’m not surprised your neighbour has complained about being woken up at 6am! Our neighbour has 3 yappy chihuahuas that she lets out early in the morning and late at night and it’s so annoying!

KangarooKenny · 13/08/2022 08:05

Mine will often bark at birds or even nothing in the garden, the only thing I can do is go out with him to prevent it. He knows what shhh means, so I do that before he starts.

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 13/08/2022 08:07

I have a dog and I would complain too! You can't just let him out to bark at 6am.

Someone needs to go and stand out with him, and bring him inside as soon as he's done his business.

Original poster
Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 08:10

Hi, will 100% be doing this and mentioned that in my post. I do think I’m general we will have to work more in a shush and quiet command. I’m not paranoid about any barking.

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Original poster
Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 08:11

I was looking for tips around that really. I have read things about teaching the bark command and then that in reverse and reward. Not sure I want to go down that route!

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Flaunch · 13/08/2022 08:16

My dog will bark in the garden if he gets the urge so we don’t let him out till after 8. Not really fair on the neighbours for him
to wake them ip even if we do get him straight in!

KangarooKenny · 13/08/2022 08:17

I didn’t teach a bark, just the shhh.

Original poster
Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 08:20

Could always try the delayed letting out. Think they would want a wee though. Will ensure we are there and bring straight back in. It’s defiantly not every morning but that doesn’t matter. Just wanting to up the training so when we are out there we can ensure any bark is stopped with the shush or quiet more reliably and bring the dog straight in after they have been to the toilet.

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Namechangeforthis88 · 13/08/2022 08:23

Thought you might be my neighbours and someone else had managed to get you to answer the door at 7.30 the other morning, one hour into the barking session. It's a young dog and I don't plan on listening to the daily bark for the next 15 years so I hope they've guessed that's why I was leaning on the doorbell and that's why I haven't heard anything this morning.

Fluffylittlepup · 13/08/2022 08:23

It’s going to take a few weeks work to stop the barking with time and rewards. Not easy, I know, when you have work and time constraints. Can you try at weekends? Let dog out, go out with him, have treats in hand. Try being out with him for a while, see what sets him off. Remain calm so he can feel there is no reason to respond. When he stays calm and doesn’t respond with barking, give treat.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 13/08/2022 08:25

Simple, do what I do. Regardless of when we wake, I don’t let the dog outside till 7am during the week, 8am weekends. He has learnt to cross his legs until then.

Original poster
Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 08:30

Thanks all, will be out and with treats to mitigate and try to stop any barking if it starts. She isn’t left barking for long. During the day I am working at home and can be downstairs so again leave the door open. Generally doesn’t bark so it’s defiantly the first let out of the day where there can be more reaction.

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Original poster
Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 08:32

@Namechangeforthis88 oh no defiantly not us! Wouldn’t leave her barking like that and when we do hear barking go down to get her in. But clearly any barking is a disturbance so I’m feeling terrible. There is a smaller dog not too far away who does some yapping and can set her off. I do think overall I need to work on some reaction training, so that’s what I’ll do.

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Notonthestairs · 13/08/2022 08:32

Like workingitoutasIgo we keep dog in until 7 during the week.

But our dog prefers to bark at night - preferably around 11 🙄 so we take her in to the garden on a lead and the moment she barks we come straight inside. She's learnt that barking shortens her time outside.

Original poster
Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 08:36

The lead idea is a good one. Might do that for this week, quick wee and in.

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Sluj · 13/08/2022 08:52

You somehow need to keep her in the house till a reasonable time. Even one bark in the garden will have the same effect as an alarm clock. Too late to shush them after that.
It's good you are aware, wish my neighbours were

Fluffylittlepup · 13/08/2022 09:30

Sluj · 13/08/2022 08:52

You somehow need to keep her in the house till a reasonable time. Even one bark in the garden will have the same effect as an alarm clock. Too late to shush them after that.
It's good you are aware, wish my neighbours were

Mine too, unfortunately. Wankers.

sunsetsandsandybeaches · 13/08/2022 09:30

Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 08:10

Hi, will 100% be doing this and mentioned that in my post. I do think I’m general we will have to work more in a shush and quiet command. I’m not paranoid about any barking.

I don't think training will necessarily help in this scenario because all it takes is one bark to wake the neighbours - so even if you do use a quiet command, the damage is already done iyswim.

You just need to prevent the behaviour - so either don't let the dog out, use a lead or take them for a short walk first thing so they can do their business.

My dog barks (he's a beagle!) so he's not allowed unsupervised in the garden before 9am or after 8pm. It's not fair on the neighbours to have to listen to him gobbing off 😳

He does come in when called but once he's started barking, he's already disturbing people so it's too late.

Soontobe60 · 13/08/2022 09:33

Instead of letting her out into the garden, take her for an early walk.

sugarspiceplumfairy · 13/08/2022 10:32

Take her out on a lead and straight back in after her wee.
don’t leave her unattended she’s just looking for stuff to do

not keen on people saying make them wait, if they need to go they need to go just don’t give them the opportunity to bark

Dotcheck · 13/08/2022 10:35

Take him out for a walk first thing, maybe? Expend some of that energy

Arucanafeather · 13/08/2022 10:36

Our dog is much more settled if he gets a walk as soon as he wakes up. Even if it’s just a short one. M

Original poster
Barkingdog2022 · 13/08/2022 10:39

I think you’re right as putting a lead on will make her think she is getting a walk so may unsettled her therefore make her more reactive to bark if I don’t. Will do that as of tomorrow. I’m paranoid now. She’s really not generally a big barker tbh but it does make you feel like a bad neighbour. Never had a cross word between us.

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