Stop The Barking!

Recently the Clubhouse and management have received calls from residents expressing concerns about a neighbor’s dog(s) barking at night or for long periods during the day. Dogs left alone all day get bored and restless, and many find relief in barking. Some respond noisily to any, and all activity, regardless of the time of day, or night. However, nothing is annoying as incessant barking—even for dog lovers.

When staff or management receive a complaint such as this, we always first recommend that the caller walk next door and have a conversation with their neighbor where the dog lives. We always suggest this as it is better for neighbors to talk matters out before the Association begins to intervene. Besides, neigh- bors are often not aware their pets are causing an issue. All of us prefer to have matters brought out for discussion allowing for corrective action before they receive a letter from the Clubhouse.

If your dog is a yapper or a yowler, please consider some of these bark-abatement ideas to keep the noise down in your area. Your neighbors will thank you.

• Training – Always the first recommendation for any behavioral problem!
• Citronella collars – A humane alternative to the electric-shock, anti-barking collar.
• Confinement – Sometimes simply bringing an outspoken dog indoors or confining it to a crate can cut down on the disturbance to neighbors.
• Companionship – Dogs are pack animals; they need companionship—a cat, bird or another dog. Consider a mid-day pet-sitting service or drop them off a friend’s place or a day-care facility once or twice a week.