Am I wrong?

[barkley]

Do they have those bird houses for kids?

they kind of do. they are called 'mosquito alarms' and give off a high frequency that can usually only be heard by people under the age of about 26. my 2 (then) teens used to complain that their ears hurt when we would go to a local grocery store-come to find out they had one installed to discourage the teens from loitering. not sure what happened but the city council was going to vote on outlawing them (the store was outside city limits though so it wouldn't have made a difference for them).

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Every once in a while, I get the urge to copy/paste an OP to a specific subreddit.

 

[Heigh-Ho]

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?

It is the devices themselves that I don't like but it's just made worse in my opinion because it's being used by someone who is not the owner. This person doing it without knowing if there are any behavioral issues as a result of it because they aren't the owner and it's doubtful they would even know so long as the barking while outside is lessened. The reviews the various brands of these devices themselves have mixed results in even working with some only working for a few days and again because this person isn't the owner they don't know what is going on when the dog isn't outside by their property, they don't know how the dog reacts inside the home, to any of the residents in the home, to guests, while out and about assumedly being walked, to any time they go to the vet assuming they go and so on. They just will know if the dog is reacting by means of the aversion technique (which is what these are technically classified as).

I did a bit of looking around before I answered on this thread but I'll link this article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/...c-dog-training-devices-really-safe-and-humane

The article is a bit long but if anyone is interested it's there for them to read.

One of the reasons why I've said a lot about this person not being an owner is contained in the last part of the article: "The treatment of nuisance behaviours such as excessive barking should begin by determining the root cause of the problem and then attempting to address the underlying cause humanely." All the author of the thread is doing is addressing their annoyance but they may not be doing anything for the actual reason the dog is barking, which sorta sounds like lack of training and leaving the dog unattended for long periods of time outside may be the culprit but that's just an assumption.

 

[EMom]

One of the reasons why I've said a lot about this person not being an owner is contained in the last part of the article: "The treatment of nuisance behaviours such as excessive barking should begin by determining the root cause of the problem and then attempting to address the underlying cause humanely." All the author of the thread is doing is addressing their annoyance but they may not be doing anything for the actual reason the dog is barking, which sorta sounds like lack of training and leaving the dog unattended for long periods of time outside may be the culprit but that's just an assumption.

And just what is the NEIGHBOR who lives next to a barking dog supposed to do? They talked to the owner, who took no responsibility. The neighbor cannot force the owner to do anything. It seems the birdhouse IS their way of dealing with it. It may not be ideal, but ideal is unattainable in this case. So they did the best they could.

 

[Heigh-Ho]

And just what is the NEIGHBOR who lives next to a barking dog supposed to do? They talked to the owner, who took no responsibility. The neighbor cannot force the owner to do anything. It seems the birdhouse IS their way of dealing with it. It may not be ideal, but ideal is unattainable in this case. So they did the best they could.

No need to shout at me really.

We've all (well okay many of us) have lived with dogs that bark around us,, they annoy us, they irk us, but you're not the owner so stepping in like this isn't right. It's like neither the owner nor the author of this thread actually care about the dog in question. The owner sure doesn't and the author of the thread doesn't care what happens to the dog so long as it's not barking in their backyard. Both are wrong. I commend the author of the thread for going out and talking to their neighbor, but I don't commend them for using a device such as this with no thought, care, or attention being paid to the possible after effects of which they won't be privy to as again they aren't the owner. That's boarding on negligence which the owner already appears to be that way, why add another person to the mix.

It's not even about being ideal. No where near about being ideal. This person isn't the owner they don't know what's ideal and what isn't.

As far as dealing with it, you do realize the quote you took from mine wasn't talking about other people dealing with it. They were talking about finding why the dog barks and working on that first. Remember the person putting up the birdhouse isn't the owner so there's nothing being done, so far as the author of the thread is concerned, about why they are barking.

Best they could?...

 

[Allison Joy]

My next door neighbor used to have a dog that would literally bark itself into a seizure.

 

[Allison]

Best they could?...

Yes. Best they could.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

And just what is the NEIGHBOR who lives next to a barking dog supposed to do? They talked to the owner, who took no responsibility. The neighbor cannot force the owner to do anything. It seems the birdhouse IS their way of dealing with it. It may not be ideal, but ideal is unattainable in this case. So they did the best they could.

You know I don't completely disagree with you on what the someone is supposed to do when they live next to a dog that barks but when I think back to all the threads and discussions I'm just not sure it's right thing to do to actually do something like this. I personally wouldn't use these things on my own dog if I had one but I certainly wouldn't use it without discussing it with the owner, going over everything, keeping in touch regarding if it seems to help or if there's an adverse reaction the dog is having like becoming aggressive, fearful, anxiety, etc.

My next door neighbors had two old farm dogs (now passed away) who used to bark although not too too badly (in comparison to the old neighbor several houses away whose dogs barked a lot more when let out and it echoed in the cul-de-sac) but one of them was deaf the other was blind. The dogs were used to being outdoors and often stayed outdoors (had shelter to go to) and I just can't imagine using a device like that on them, poor things, the deaf one wouldn't have really been affected well maybe not to the point where there would be a measureable response but the blind one would have and then the deaf one would have picked up on the blind one's actions and whew yeah no good. Now being blind or deaf can be common in old age for dogs but it can happen to any of them. Or it may have had something else happen in the past where it gets more easily triggered, or it's a dog breed that is more known for barking or it's just a dog that is barking which is what dogs do but could be barking at inappropriate times or for way too long.

Normally in the end we just get that story to tell about 'that darn neighbor' so I would agree it's not ideal either way you slice it. But I still wouldn't say to just put the birdhouse system up and call it a day.

At least the OP went and talked to the neighbor Seems like that is usually a step many don't even want to do.

 

[Heigh-Ho]

Yes. Best they could.

Respectfully disagree but hey that's a-okay by me, we don't have to agree

 

[sam_gordon]

No need to shout at me really.

We've all (well okay many of us) have lived with dogs that bark around us,, they annoy us, they irk us, but you're not the owner so stepping in like this isn't right. It's like neither the owner nor the author of this thread actually care about the dog in question. The owner sure doesn't and the author of the thread doesn't care what happens to the dog so long as it's not barking in their backyard. Both are wrong. I commend the author of the thread for going out and talking to their neighbor, but I don't commend them for using a device such as this with no thought, care, or attention being paid to the possible after effects of which they won't be privy to as again they aren't the owner. That's boarding on negligence which the owner already appears to be that way, why add another person to the mix.

It's not even about being ideal. No where near about being ideal. This person isn't the owner they don't know what's ideal and what isn't.

As far as dealing with it, you do realize the quote you took from mine wasn't talking about other people dealing with it. They were talking about finding why the dog barks and working on that first. Remember the person putting up the birdhouse isn't the owner so there's nothing being done, so far as the author of the thread is concerned, about why they are barking.

Best they could?...

So your answer to OP, aside from take down the birdhouse, is what? Just live with the noise? It's obvious the dog's owner won't do anything. So, how about a solid suggestion instead of just disagreeing with what they did do? It's not the OPs responsibility to find out why the dog barks, and they probably can't.

 

[piccolopat]

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!

I don't think the OP is wrong to use these devices. They tried talking to the neighbor about the barking problem and nothing was done. These devices are not harmful to dogs and most have a short range like 50'. OP has a right to use and enjoy his property and if these devices make that possible, so be it.

 

[Heigh-Ho]

I don't think the OP is wrong to use these devices. They tried talking to the neighbor about the barking problem and nothing was done. These devices are not harmful to dogs and most have a short range like 50'. OP has a right to use and enjoy his property and if these devices make that possible, so be it.

Totally fine to disagree with me, I'm okay with that. I stand by my comment though

 

[Pink Partridge]

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

People would never believe how long a dog could bark. You beat me. I am so sorry.

 

[Pink Partridge]

Every once in a while, I get the urge to copy/paste an OP to a specific subreddit.

Which subreddit? The one where people pay a lot to live in a certain neighborhood and can't even use their patio due to their rude neighbors?

 

[emer95]

You are 100% in the right, OP! Good for you! Stand strong and hold your ground.

it shocks me-truly shocks me, that dog owners allow their dogs to bark for hours on end with no regard for their neighbors, or even themselves. Doesn’t it annoy THEM?
I have a dog. I hate, hate the sound of her barking and I stop it immediately, because it annoys ME, but also because I’d be mortified to annoy my neighbors with the sound of my dog.

 

[Pink Partridge]

If your dog barks to protect your home? I support you! Heck, if your dog is just a silly, immature dog and barks for a half an hour straight....I don't care.

It is the hours, upon hours, upon hours of barking. Where you can't sit outside. Ever. Where you have to shut your windows. Always.
It's too much to handle on a daily basis.

 

[muffyn]

they kind of do. they are called 'mosquito alarms' and give off a high frequency that can usually only be heard by people under the age of about 26. my 2 (then) teens used to complain that their ears hurt when we would go to a local grocery store-come to find out they had one installed to discourage the teens from loitering. not sure what happened but the city council was going to vote on outlawing them (the store was outside city limits though so it wouldn't have made a difference for them).

this reminds me of an episode of Penn & Teller, they had young kids sitting around Teller & they would raise their hands when they knew the answer.. he was playing a "tone" that only the kids could hear, not the adults. really fascinating.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Many of us already deal with this, it sucks but it happens. Maybe the author of the thread can wait a bit longer, then reengage with the neighbor, maybe the calls to the police and HOA the other people are doing will do something, and maybe nothing will happen which would suck but that's what happens sometimes when you have a crappy neighbor, but what I don't agree with is doing something to the dog when this isn't the fault of the dog. The humans involved seem remarkedly unconcerned about the dog itself who is the cause of this all.

well....being married to the crappy neighbor, talking to the county sheriff ( who had not solution), soothing the neighbors .the only thing that could happen to the dog that was barking was to kill it...but my wife wouldn't...because it was her dads last moment on earth...the dog was his for 9 months and then he died...she kept the dog for another 12 years. All of the humans involved with my wife dog were very concerned...the dog needed to be put down, it was out of control...but my wife wouldn't....until it bit one too many people.. the dog was a bad dog from day of birth (the stories I heard as a pup)...should have been put down a long time ago...some bad dogs have a reason for still being around...for years her children told her to put the dog down.

 

[mrodgers]

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

Are you willing to go train her neighbor's dog? It's not her dog. It's not rocket science.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Which subreddit? The one where people pay a lot to live in a certain neighborhood and can't even use their patio due to their rude neighbors?

Is that the same one where a father makes his daughter do chores (but not his son) because she's less likely to get a scholarship and he has to pay for her hygiene products?