Self Help



- Earplugs: Need I say more?

- Noise-Canceling Earphones: I have found these to be good for the deeper bigger dog barks but somehow the shriller barking gets through a little. Having said that it lowers the noise a lot. Only issue for me is having them on or in my ears.

- White Noise Machine: These generate a 'neutral' sound, like a poorly tuned radio (which may itself be annoying) which absorbs other sounds. I have an alarm radio that has 3 different options. Alternative: use a fan or an air filter machine although these may be less good for you in the winter.

- Radio or CDs: Some people can fall asleep to music. I can't or I can fall asleep but a new piece of music wakes me back up. Try it...it may take some testing with genre of music and volume.

- Sleep in a different room esp. if it's away from your noisy irritant!

Cooperation

Go to your neighbor, tell him the problem calmly and ask him solve the problem. Most will apologize profusely as the dog is driving him crazy too and begin to fix it. Others may kick you out and start making voodoo dolls in your effigy. Here's an outline of things to do in this process...some are obvious but thought it couldn't hurt to outline them here.

If you already know your neighbor and he's a bit 'unbalanced' don't go out on a limb...try some arms length solutions

a) Keep a written diary of when barking happens. Record your neighborly chats and any other step you take to try and resolve this (just in case things get taken to an official level, you want to have all the details including names and dates)

b) Be calm and friendly. Remember the old adage that 'He who loses his temper loses all'. Give him reasons to cooperate and not be defensive.

c) Bring a treat (works on humans as well as dogs) OK it's a bribe but a nice way to be gracious and neighborly.

d) Be specific about the problem. He barks from 9pm to midnight ask if he can help solve this .

e) Offer to help in some way...pass on this email or article, offer to copay for a training course, or help with the training.

f) Condo associations have managers whose job often includes keeping the 'peace' so they can address the issue directly although this will differ by location.

g) If your neighbor doesn't want to cooperate leave gracefully but plan your next step. Find out the local agency or body that follows up on noise complaints.

h) Investigate arms length deterrents such as ultrasonics. There are devices that generate an ultrasonic noise if there is a dog barking in range. A popular one is "Bark Free" although they all work on the same principle most have a range of between 20-70 feet. They are mounted outside as close as possible and ideally in line of sight of the barking dog. When the dog barks, the device emits a tone that acts as a distraction that startles the dog to stop it from barking.