Am I wrong?

[HopperFan]

My neighbor got a dog in March. It has barked non-stop since the day they brought it home. I mean for hours at a time. I don't know how its vocal cords aren't destroyed. They just let it out in the yard and it barks and barks and barks. We can no longer sit on our patio.

I had a polite conversation with my neighbor. He just shrugged and said "That's what dogs do. They bark." Our other neighbors have started an all out war with them. Calling the police/reporting them to HOA. I didn't want to start down that road.

So two weeks ago, I bought this outdoor bark control device. It looks like a bird house. OMG! It worked! The dog no longer goes to that section of the yard. Now he stays up top and barks. I want to get another device and put it up there, BUT the neighbor came over yesterday and told me he "knows that isn't a real bird house and I am hurting his dog's ears." He wants me to take it down.

No way! It works. Why would I take it down? And I don't even care if it hurts the dog's ears. I am losing my mind.

I told him he has not controlled his dog in 7 months, so I had to take control. He asked if I had the money to send his dog to obedience school. because he doesn't. And until he does, he can't stop the barking. But "the bird house must come down."

I told him he is welcome to call the police on me and my "bird house", said the conversation was over, and gently shut the door.

I think the funniest part of this all is we both had masks on. Lol. Both trying to be polite, yet arguing. Through masks. It was a sight to be seen.

So am I wrong? And would you get another anti barking device for the upper part of your yard?

YOU ARE RIGHT AND DO NOT GIVE IN. Don't hope it gets better, don't let this drag on. Nip this neighbor in the bud so he addresses his problem.

We had two dogs (one is still alive) next door that barked 8-10 hours a day while owner was at work. It was awful. Everyone complained and she did nothing. She even said she wondered why the dogs had no voices when she got home. I had a dog whistle, I'd shoot hose over the fence, it was awful. DH went over several times and finally told her to get a shock collar or else he'd get the county animal control involved. She did. It worked. BUT the daughter hated it so would take off when Mom wasn't home. For 8 years she made our outdoor life pure H--- and our indoor life difficult. DH works from home and on conference calls people could hear the dogs barking even if they were inside their house. We are single residences. She finally retired so it quieted down but if she takes them out to walk, they see anything moving, they bark.

I am so mad at myself we put up with it that long. I should have gotten the local animal control involved - they do show up for this stuff and reported animal abuse (letting them bark all day counts). Keep that birdhouse, get another and you probably need a camera out there to record it barking. Let your neighbor know about it too. Tell him if he wishes to call someone, go ahead you will have video of his dog. Bottom line it's not the dogs fault, it's the owner's fault. You have every right to expect to live in peace from non-stop barking.

IF you can't afford to train your dog, you can't afford a dog because care is expensive.

FYI: I have two dogs, one large and one small. They don't bark unless a stranger walks up or another is walking past the house and sometimes they don't even blink. They ignore the neighbor's dogs, just stares at them like they are crazy. She also constantly accuses us of our dogs pooping in her yard ..... it's not but the deer love to leave her huge piles, I have pictures (did you know deer squat like a dog, I didn't).

 

[elgerber]

I do not think you are wrong. I am a huge dog lover. I have 3. One that barks a lot, and one that barks for anything and everything!!! He is a big talker! But...if they bark for more than a very short time outside (ie, dog walking by etc), I am out there telling them to stop. If they don't stop, they have to come back in. I have to say I am curious about looking up this birdhouse for my own yard LOL.

 

[Hikergirl]

Other noises besides a particular dog barking can activate the "bird house" and hurt the dog's hearing. It is a shame the owner does not try to train his dog but I also would not knowingly hurt the dog. Also, it does not work for JUST ONE DOG. It could be causing other dogs unnecessary pain.

OP, i get your frustration but is it the dog's fault or the owner's? IMO, it is the owner's.

The DOGTEK Sonic Birdhouse emits an ultrasonic sound which is heard by dogs but is not detected by humans. The dog will stop barking when The DOGTEK Sonic Birdhouse emits it high-pitched, safe and effective tone. The dog will begin to associate their bark with this unpleasant noise.

It has a 50ft range and can be set under that so it will only effect dogs in the range it is set for. It will not effect every single dog around it, unless they are all congregated within 50 feet.

 

[chickapin parterre]

YOU ARE RIGHT AND DO NOT GIVE IN. Don't hope it gets better, don't let this drag on. Nip this neighbor in the bud so he addresses his problem.

. She also constantly accuses us of our dogs pooping in her yard ..... it's not but the deer love to leave her huge piles, I have pictures (did you know deer squat like a dog, I didn't).

do you have a sheep dog? because deer poop also looks like sheep droppings and rabbits and ‍🏍

 

[Feralpeg]

Years ago, I had a dog who liked to dig. He started digging under my fence to get out of the yard. I went to a farm supply place and purchased a device that worked off a lantern battery. It hooked up to a wire that I strung about a foot off the ground along the fence. I admit, I was really nervous about shocking my dog. So, before letting my dog out, I touched the line myself. It stung, but it didn't hurt me in a bad way. I let the dog out and it immediately touched the wire. He let out a small yelp and backed away. He never went next to the wire again. After the first day, I turned the device off, but left the wire. He never tried digging again.

Dogs are smart. They learn quickly when something is unpleasant. Given a few days of the bird house device, you may be able to turn it off and the dog will remember not to bark.

 

[HopperFan]

do you have a sheep dog? because deer poop also looks like sheep droppings and rabbits and ‍🏍

No I have a stupid neighbor that wants to complain about everything. She now brings her dog right to the property line to do it's business, to encourage our sniffers to walk into her yard. It used to be she didn't let them do their business in her yard, she trained them to do it in the street. She would pick up the poop and now keeps a pile of full poop bags on her front step. Funny is I have noticed the deer poop piles have increased, I don't think they like her either.

 

[Heigh-Ho]

You're both wrong.

The dog needs training, it does not nor should it be trained by someone else other than its owner (other than an actual dog training class or trainer), you could be doing so much more harm to the dog than you realize, not only with the sound, but the association and you could be making it harder for the owner to actually do the training if they ever actually do it. And as others mentioned what about the other dogs around.

These devices may sound (no pun intended) great but shouldn't be used by strangers annoyed by the sound. You legitimately have a valid complaint. Just about no one actually likes dogs barking but it doesn't make it right either to install a device such as this either.

Please take that birdhouse down immediately!

 

[Heigh-Ho]

It has a 50ft range and can be set under that so it will only effect dogs in the range it is set for. It will not effect every single dog around it, unless they are all congregated within 50 feet.

That could be quite a few dogs really. Maybe not in the author of the thread's case but there are plenty of times where houses are close together, backyards close by. By my house there are about 4 dogs within that 50 foot range you mentioned, other homes the backyards I've seen 6 to 7 at least dogs that when they are out they are all right by each other. Just depends on how someone's backyard is shaped and how the lots are arranged. Even if the author of the thread set it low if (generally speaking) someone else had another dog(s) that could be multiple dogs affected by it.

 

[fly girl]

OP, I am on your side. The fact you cannot enjoy your own backyard is maddening.

The owner has failed the dog. And the line about not being able to afford obedience school? Then don't buy a dog! That is a load of garbage.

You have every right to have that birdhouse in your yard. If the owner doesn't like it, too bad so sad. Train the dog and you'll gladly take it down. That simple.

 

[Hikergirl]

That could be quite a few dogs really. Maybe not in the author of the thread's case but there are plenty of times where houses are close together, backyards close by. By my house there are about 4 dogs within that 50 foot range you mentioned, other homes the backyards I've seen 6 to 7 at least dogs that when they are out they are all right by each other. Just depends on how someone's backyard is shaped and how the lots are arranged. Even if the author of the thread set it low if (generally speaking) someone else had another dog(s) that could be multiple dogs affected by it.

That is all true, but it is still important to know that it does have a maximum range and can be set lower so that it affects just the offending dog.
Based on what the pp posted, people unfamiliar with it could just assume it has an effect on every dog in the neighborhood. Just wanted to make it known that isn't how the device works.

 

[VandVsmama]

Go and buy another birdhouse.

 

[NotUrsula]

I would say that it probably isn't optimal for the animal's welfare, but it's a lot less harmful than a shotgun shell or poisoned food, which is what well may happen if the animal continues to bark around the clock. (I lost a pet as a child that way; though she was a trained GSD watchdog. The neighbor's teen kid poisoned her because she gave out warning barks when he snuck in & out of the house in the middle of the night. His parents caught him, and he killed our dog for it.)

The owner himself can train the dog not to bark: there are plenty of free demos online or books at the library to show him how.

 

[fly girl]

I would say that it probably isn't optimal for the animal's welfare, but it's a lot less harmful than a shotgun shell or poisoned food, which is what well may happen if the animal continues to bark around the clock. (I lost a pet as a child that way; though she was a trained GSD watchdog. The neighbor's teen kid poisoned her because she gave out warning barks when he snuck in & out of the house in the middle of the night. His parents caught him, and he killed our dog for it.)

The owner himself can train the dog not to bark: there are plenty of free demos online or books at the library to show him how.

Aww, that is terrible. What a punk.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I would say that it probably isn't optimal for the animal's welfare, but it's a lot less harmful than a shotgun shell or poisoned food, which is what well may happen if the animal continues to bark around the clock. (I lost a pet as a child that way; though she was a trained GSD watchdog. The neighbor's teen kid poisoned her because she gave out warning barks when he snuck in & out of the house in the middle of the night. His parents caught him, and he killed our dog for it.)

The owner himself can train the dog not to bark: there are plenty of free demos online or books at the library to show him how.

We trained ours not to bark -- it's not rocket science.

 

[NannyBeBe]

You are in a tough spot. It's against the law in our city to tie a dog outside. When we lived in our former house, our neighbors had two dogs tied outside all day long with no water in sight no matter how hot or cold it got. I finally called Animal Control and they came and spoke to the neighbor. The next day he had the dogs put down. I felt so bad, but at least the dogs were not in misery.
Our neighbors where we live now have a GSD that often barks for hours at a time. We have not said anything to them because they are very strange and I am wary of what they might do.
Have you confirmed with your vet that your bird house would hurt the dog's ears? Is it a momentary discomfort or could it cause hearing loss? If it is momentary with no permanent damage, then I would leave the bird house up.

 

[karen4546]

It has a 50ft range and can be set under that so it will only effect dogs in the range it is set for. It will not effect every single dog around it, unless they are all congregated within 50 feet.

LIke i said it is not the dog's fault. But, okay.

 

[VandVsmama]

Also, your neighbor is a butthole.

 

[PAsFab5]

When the neighbor came over to confront you did he say why the dog is outside so much? He Is probably barking because he wants to be indoors with his family.

I would have bought the bird house too.
If he had any sense he would have bought a similar device for his own use to train his dog not to bark excessively. I know many are against it, but shock/vibrating collars work great for training. Working in rescue I have seen “unadoptable dogs” trained properly and go on to be adopted and live wonderful lives.

The neighbor needs to get it together.

 

[nw6675]

Another vote of support. My husband was the codes enforcement officer for many years (fun job... NOT!) and this was one of the most common complaints due to the sense of entitlement for people to have dogs outside barking all day/all night. Sorry if this was already discussed, but many municipalities have a noise ordinance that should cover it, but enforcing it or "catching the dog in the act" might be a pain. I think you took a reasonable approach given that other methods involving enforcement entities by others hasn't worked. And I hate to say it, as another mentioned, you didn't take the drastic approaches others have or been tempted to do in similar situations.

Blessed to have Honeybun, my 4 year old Shih Tzu that only barks at UPS (not FedEx, not Amazon Prime, not the mailman...just UPS )

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You're both wrong.

The dog needs training, it does not nor should it be trained by someone else other than its owner (other than an actual dog training class or trainer), you could be doing so much more harm to the dog than you realize, not only with the sound, but the association and you could be making it harder for the owner to actually do the training if they ever actually do it. And as others mentioned what about the other dogs around.

These devices may sound (no pun intended) great but shouldn't be used by strangers annoyed by the sound. You legitimately have a valid complaint. Just about no one actually likes dogs barking but it doesn't make it right either to install a device such as this either.

Please take that birdhouse down immediately!

That could be quite a few dogs really. Maybe not in the author of the thread's case but there are plenty of times where houses are close together, backyards close by. By my house there are about 4 dogs within that 50 foot range you mentioned, other homes the backyards I've seen 6 to 7 at least dogs that when they are out they are all right by each other. Just depends on how someone's backyard is shaped and how the lots are arranged. Even if the author of the thread set it low if (generally speaking) someone else had another dog(s) that could be multiple dogs affected by it.

I agree with the training part. But would you mind explaining what it is that you object to so strongly with these devices? Do you feel they are inhumane?