BS: Barking dogs

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Aug 06 - 11:50 AM

Get in touch with Old Guy and have him ship his box to her. Maybe she won't even need to power it up, if it works so well that the intended dog moves!

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Becca72
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 12:19 PM

I'm going to have to let my sister know about the "bark free" thing. They have a Jack Russell terrier a couple houses up that never stops

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 10:36 AM

Sounds like it works perfectly, and doesn't even need batteries! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Old Guy
Date: 17 Aug 06 - 12:45 AM

My neighbor's Dachshunds barked their asses off every time I entered my own back yard. I bought a thing called Bark Free that detects a dog's bark and emits a high pitched sound that is irritating to dogs. It is supposed to program them to stop barking.

They moved away before I installed it so I don't know if it works.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 09:03 PM

It hit 106 today. My two big puppies are lying quietly in shady areas outside the back door. I set up one of those cobra-shaped misting things on the shady patio and the pit bull is lying near it. The nutty catahoula has been in the darkest corner in the garage, but I think she is lying on the pavement that is considerably cooler than the air (in seasonally relative terms) and is staying cool there. She has a heavier coat--by contrast, the pit hardly has any at all with her short hair. They have a child's wading pool and big pans of water. I go out every couple of hours and check on them and get them wet.

We're all really sick of this hot weather. We've had more than a month now of 100+ days.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 04:28 PM

My mother once had a similar problem with a neighbor's dog. Her "back" door was actually on the side of the house. It faced a similar door on the neighbor's house about 8 feet away. There was only a wire fence about 3 feet high separating the two yards. The dog, a German shepherd, would bark ferociously at my mother every time she went out her door. From only a few inches away!

Finally someone gave her some advice that worked. Just before exiting the door, they said, make some kind of noise—it doesn't have to be especially loud or frightening to a human, but it has to be mysterious to the dog. You have to make sure it's a kind of sound he's not familiar with, so he won't have a clue what kind of thing is making it. And you have to make sure he doesn't see how you make it. (I'm sure you musicians can come up with some ideas.)

My mother hung an old wire barbecue grille on the inside of the back door, and every time she was ready to leave by that door, she would open it a few inches (this always attracted the dog's attention), and then, before stepping out, she would rake her keys across the grille. It worked! The dog was so spooked that he shut up and backed away from the fence. It not only worked once, but the same sound worked over and over! And eventually she was able to quit making the sound altogether and the dog kept quiet.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Peace
Date: 16 Aug 06 - 02:40 AM

Fellow was awakened by a dog barking at 3:00 AM. He phoned his neighbour across the street and said, "Would you please get your damned dog to be quiet?" He then went back to bed. The following morning at 3:00 AM he received a phone call. When he answered, the voice said, "I don't have a dog."

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 09:46 PM

Seems like a good time to visit Mr. Frost--x

The Mending Wall

Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,
And spills the upper boulders in the sun,
And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.
The work of hunters is another thing:
I have come after them and made repair
Where they have left not one stone on a stone,
But they would have the rabbit out of hiding,
To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean,
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
But at spring mending-time we find them there.
I let my neighbor know beyond the hill;
And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.
To each the boulders that have fallen to each.
And some are loaves and some so nearly balls
We have to use a spell to make them balance:
'Stay where you are until our backs are turned!'
We wear our fingers rough with handling them.
Oh, just another kind of out-door game,
One on a side. It comes to little more:
There where it is we do not need the wall:
He is all pine and I am apple orchard.
My apple trees will never get across
And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
He only says, 'Good fences make good neighbors'.
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
'Why do they make good neighbors? Isn't it
Where there are cows?
But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I'd ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offence.
Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
That wants it down.' I could say 'Elves' to him,
But it's not elves exactly, and I'd rather
He said it for himself. I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me~
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father's saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, "Good fences make good neighbors."



Too bad Dubya doesn't really understand this poem, or he'd stop trying to build fences all around the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 11:45 AM

Attitudes vary about fences in different areas. There may be a thesis study here, comparing the 'fence behavior' of people in different parts of the country, and with different income levels.

Nearly all back yards are fenced here (Calgary, Canada), whether the owner has animals or not. In a new neighborhood, working out the style and shared cost of the fence with neighbors is one of the first jobs of ownership. If agreement can't be reached, the dissenter usually builds the fence on his property rather than on the property line. Sometimes the property line becomes the no-communication line.
Front yards may have a low hedge or low fence, but the city bars tall fences except for the back yard.

A long time ago I had a house in Tulsa, OK. The land was developed as a no fence area. Backs of houses were separated from those behind by broad expanses of grass, very attractive and uncluttered. It worked pretty well, but wandering kids and pets sometimes caused minor problems.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Aug 06 - 01:22 AM

sounds like a brilliant contraption DS. last week we were looking at a new bungalow, and the noisy dog next door put me off. it was the barbed wire over his drive that clinched it however.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:36 PM

You're right--my dogs walk 30-45 minutes in the morning every day, more if the weather is nice in the evening. When it isn't too hot they also wear dog backpacks with a couple of bottles of water in each. This not only gives them time with me and a look around the neighborhood, it gives them a job, and that is what all dogs need, big or small.

When my dogs bark at night the only one they're liable to wake up is me, because my bedroom window overlooks the back. My neighbors on either side sleep in rooms in the front side of their houses. (No, they didn't move there because my dogs bark!)

I had the unusual experience of being roared at yesterday, in an odd sort of way, by a guest of my next door neighbor. Seems she watches Cesar Millan's Dog Whisperer, but she hasn't exactly "got it" as far as dog behavior within their own packs. I told her not to walk up to my dogs because they both like people but one of them still jumps on people. What does she do? She walks right up, perfect posture and tense as can be and when Poppy jumps, she roars "Sit!" The woman was quite pleased with herself that, like Cesar, she can make dogs sit immediately, but what she was missing entirely that while all three of us were at first startled by her antics, I stepped back and stood calmly, essentially ignoring her odd behavior, and the dogs take their cue from the humans they know, who are in their own pack. So they sat there because of how I handled their leashes (slack, no anxiety being transmitted), because I wanted them to, and as my neighbors discussed all that they'd learned on the program and gestured and shouted and demonstrated between themselves and for me, my dogs just sat there. Because of the way I was reacting. I would never walk up to someone else with their dog and start ordering their animal around. When I meet neighbors with dogs on the street and they're having a problem with their dog straining towards mine, I have suggested walking upright and not yanking the leash and "ignoring" us. It does work, but it is up to that person to try it (they just need to mimic us, that's what I do when I pass their dogs, and mine are usually very good at ignoring other animals--all except cats and wild rabbits).

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Janie
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:16 PM

SRS, from reading your posts over the years, it is also clear that your dogs get a lot of quality time and attention.

I made the statement about invisible fences, but on reflection, dogs behind physical fences can be just as bad. Too many people fence their yards as a substitute for walking their dogs and otherwise spending time with them. "Hey, let's fence the yard. Then we can just open the door when rover has to crap and not bother with taking him for a walk." So, it's not the fence that creates the barker. It is the emotional neglect.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 11:02 PM

My dogs have the Invisible Fence system with the collars, and they don't bark any more than they did before. They still stay in the back yard, they aren't out front on their own seeing people pass by. If they are out there with me, even if a dog walks past in the street with its owners, mine don't bark, because they know they can't get over to the other dog, anyway. It really is quite interesting. The time they do bark is when the annoying Boston terrier visits next door. This is when a device like you mention might be useful to turn on. When there are several culprits to deal with!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 10:18 PM

I also remember a field trip in the NWT where we camped on a rise outside of Fort Richardson. Three o'clock in the morning in summer, the sun was shining, the kids were playing noisily and 1001 dogs were howling and barking.
We moved camp further into the bush.

We live in an area where about one third of the homes have a dog as a member of the family. During daylight hours, dogs may communicate with each other but the City noise bylaws decree silence after, I think, 10 PM. Most dogs are indoors by that time. A few remain outside in the summer, but no one complains unless the dog barks unnecessarily- the dog is doing its duty if it warns of strangers in the neighborhood.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Scoville
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 09:56 PM

Our neighbor's dog (who is a nice dog but affection-deprived, poor thing) developed a late-night barking habit and finally, whenever he got started and wouldn't shut up, my mother would call them (waking them up) and tell them that their dog was barking frantically and she was concerned that there might be someone in their yard. Did it two or three times and they finally got the message.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Janie
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 09:12 PM

Some breeds may be barkier than others. We always have 'pound pups' and are partial to lab/hound mixes (although our current princess looks to be a shepherd/hound mix.) I think bored dogs, dogs that don't get enough attention from their families, and fearful dogs are all more likely to be night barkers than other dogs. (I'd be bored too if someone left me out on a chain night and day, or closed up in the house with no company.) I also note that dogs behing those 'invisible' electric fences tend to be fierce barkers. My theory--they approach the boundaries when people walk by. They get shocked. They think people walking by shock them. That would make me angry and fearful too.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 08:50 PM

LOL, Janie!

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Janie
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 08:45 PM

Glad your contraption worked. We seem to have the only dogs in the neighborhood that DON'T bark. Not during the day, nor at night. If they do bark, we know something or someone who shouldn't be are moving around outside. And, we bring our dogs into the house at night.

We are also only 1 of 2 houses in the neighborhood who mostly have open windows. (No air conditioning in summer and we like the fresh air at night in winter) So the barking dogs around us were really annoying. I finally hit upon my own solution that worked very quickly. Everytime a neighbor's barking dog woke me at 3:00 in the morning, I called the neighbor and woke them at three in the morning to ask they bring their dog in. If they didn't answer the phone, I went to their house and knocked, or rang the doorbell until they woke. I was always firm but polite, even cordial. It never seems to take more than a week people to start taking their dogs inside at night.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 08:39 PM

One on ebay at the moment item number 220015144787

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 08:33 PM

Bullets do work well

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: dianavan
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 08:25 PM

Thanks, Divis.

I was recently considering the purchase of a beautiful island property but backed out when I heard the dogs up the road. Next day, I watched one of them running sheep and foaming at the mouth like he'd been at it for hours.

I really want the property and think the whistle might work. On second thought, a bullet would probably work better since its not just the barking that is causing problems. Fortunately, I would not be arrested for shooting a dog that was running livestock into the ground. In fact, in that community, my social status would be elevated.

On third thought, I think I'll just keep looking for a little peace and quiet.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Severn
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 07:19 PM

...And here I thought someone was finally posting the correct words to their classic Christmas single. And possibly news of a Barking Dogs Reunion Holiday Tour. Too much to hope for, I guess.....(sigh!)
I wanted my old 45 autographed.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Sorcha
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 06:58 PM

I must inwestigate this....

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 05:49 PM

Christ that's all I need, Keith following me here and starting on me.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Peace
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 05:47 PM

I will behave.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 05:46 PM

Now peace I'm coming here on the Irish threads telling everyone we hate guns !

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 05:37 PM

I agree to a point Liz, although I am better looking ! Spoke to my postman about it, he said he knew the guy and the same thing happened at his last address. The neighbours were tortured he never walked it. R.S.P.C.A. visited him twice and did nothing. I agree it's the owner at fault not the dog.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Peace
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 05:32 PM

Northern Alberta: Fort Chipewyan. Dog was barking at about 3:00 AM. The owner got up and yelled at the dog in what I think was Chipewyan (it wasn't Cree, that I know). Any way, the dog was quiet for about ten minutes then it started again. The next sound I heard was his screen door opening and closing. And the next sound was a 12 gauge shotgun. And a single yelp. It was quiet for the rest of the night.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: bobad
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 05:32 PM

And remember Divis - there are no bad dogs only bad dog owners.

Subject: RE: BS: Barking dogs
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 05:26 PM

It's a bad owner who lets his dog bark for more than 4 barks... but as you say, they just moved in, so the dog is sounding out the neighbourhood, basically the doggie version of you Emailing everyone with your new address or putting a sign on your mailbox saying 'Sweeney Residence'. He should settle down in a while but in the meantime, the owner should be controling it.

LTS

Subject: BS: Barking dogs
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 14 Aug 06 - 05:08 PM

The peace of my lovely quiet cul de sac came to an end recently with the arrival of a bloody big Doberman Pinscher who could bark for Ireland.

This dog does not sleep believe me. I went to the guy who didn't seem to be the The sharpest tool in the box. I have met penicillin with more going on in it. Anyway he didn't see it as a problem. I contacted our local dog warden who put me onto Environmental Health. They posted me out record sheets to record the times the dog barks over a three week period ! After I submitted these I heard nothing more from them. I rang again and they said they had spoken to the owner and he said he would deal with it.

Still the dog kept barking day and night. Contacted them yet again and this time they said, "well we could record it and maybe take a case, but these are heard to get into court". So bloody waste of time.

Anyway what I want to say is if any of you are in a similar position I have found the cure ! Bought a thing on ebay called "Bark Free" the one I got was brand new and boxed for £7.00 looked them up on net and they cost a lot more. Every time the dog barks it sends out a very high pitched tone that you or I won't hear but doggie can and doggie doesn't like it.

So peace has come back to my home. Just wanted to share this with you.