The dog next door

[Emily]

We've never met the dog over the back as there's a six foot wooden fence and we live on different roads (we're at the end of a court). I don't know what it looks like but I can tell it's little by the yappy bark.

It barks a lot. Especially when we go outside. Ella and I went outside to get the washing in earlier and it started its "yap yap yap yap yap" before the owner called out for it to come inside.

Here's my question... Do you think it would make any difference if I made an attempt to speak to the owner to see if the dogs would like to meet? Do you think it might reduce the barking if the pup knew Ella was behind the fence?

 

[Jen]

By experience I would say probably not.

We have Ollie next door who is a terrier cross and he knows it’s Stanley through the fence, he’s seen him since he was a pup.

He still barks and squeals every time Stanley’s in the garden because he wants to play though

 

[Emily]

I wondered if that might happen.

We could stop the "hey dog, stay away from my house!"
And replace it with the "hi Ella, wanna play?"

 

[Atemas]

I would say probably not too.

We have a worse situation which doesn’t occur every day but it is beginning to freak me out a bit. There are two small dogs in the house at the back of ours (also in different roads). The woman there has mental health issues - I won’t go into detail but we have had several bad experiences over the years and other neighbours have too - not dog related. When the two dogs are in her garden it sounds like they are ripping each other apart - the noise is truly horrible. Sky takes no notice - she totally ignores. Red on the other hand is getting increasingly upset by them. If she hears them, her hackles go up and she flies over to the fence, scrabbling the ground by the fence and barking. So this has given us a problem. Fortunately it’s not a issue every day but I would really like to stop Red reacting. The other day, I had to get her lead to get her back in the house - she was too far gone to respond to me calling her. DH is concerned about her barking and it bothering other neighbours - it’s very quiet here generally. I agree and it upsets me to think anyone would think Red a nuisance. She is such a good girl.

So @Emily, I would leave well alone if Ella is not bothered.

 

[Emily]

Thanks, I guess we just leave it alone.

Ella used to bark in response but we (by we, I of course mean me - OH enjoying the results of our 'team' effort ) put a huge amount of work and treats into her and now sheight give the occasional woof, once a month or so

I just find the yap, yap yapping really annoying, especially when we're trying to enjoy a summer evening in the garden.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Lilly was awful barking at our old neighbours but they never spoke to her and one of them deliberately hid from her. Makes sense if you understand we have a shared close and rather than having 8 wheely bins in a short close we have them in our garden, but need a the side gate opened to use.
She loved the previous residents, and the current, and never barks at them. She knows all the regulars and their noises.
I would say introducing them is unlikely to cause harm, and COULD actually help?

 

[Loraseal]

I would also say leave it too.
My brother has 4 dachshunds...and all they do is bark well actually yap. I love my brother and the dogs are cute but they yap yap at anything and nothing.
But then again..nothing ventured nothing gained??? I

 

[M.F.]

The dog next door to us is a miniature labradoodle type. Crows like a rooster most of the time and barks at me whenever I come home. It’s annoying. Snowie pays it no attention. My guess is it’s asking for attention—in the park it’s the sweetest thing.

One day it was barking while their alarm went off and then started to whimper. I was worried they’d had a break in and called the owners. They were out and were sorry to hear the dog was barking, said he was very needy. (The dog had actually set off the alarm.) I then used the opportunity to say he always barks at me when I get home, but that it was completely normal that he wanted his people when they were out, and perhaps a behaviorist could help with the barking and learning to be alone. I don’t know if she did consult a behaviorist, but subsequently most times the dog races out to bark at me when I get home, I hear him being called inside, which makes for a much more pleasant atmosphere.

So, I’m with the “nothing ventured, nothing gained” camp.

 

[HAH]

I'm also on the side of 'give it a go' - at the very least, it raises the constant barking as something you'd like to reduce with the dog's owner. They might well not think of it as an issue, or they might not have a clue that it can be dealt with - and it sounds like you've done a great job helping Ella get over her responding, so you'd be in a good position to advise if they asked for it. It might take some sympathetic and gentle handling, or they might be completely uninterested, but at least you'll have got it off your chest.

Our dog trainer had a similar issue (her Jack Russell was the barker) and she found using a lick mat at very gradually reduced distances from the stimulus (neighbour's children on their trampoline) helped overcome the barking over time.

 

[Stacia]

Oh don't say that, I have just arranged for a new fence to be built down the side of my garden so the dogs cannot see through it. We have new neighbours and their dog sets mine off and they bark like mad through the fence. I thought a solid barrier would solve the problem!

 

[Charlie]

@Emily You could have a casual chat and say how you got Ella to stop barking with your technique as you found it annoying. They might just go for it you never know. Maybe they are looking for a way to solve it and just don't know how to. They might even appreciate your help! x