Debarking - Please Help - Problem Barkers

[miaow]

Hi all,

I know this is a very controversial subject but I am desperate for some help and advice so please can we leave the negatives out and just concentrate on helpful positive

advice...Thanks

I wasnt sure where to post this so my apologies if its in the wrong place....

I have 2 large dogs. We have a very large backyard for them to run around in and they get

plenty of exercise. Our backyard is opposite a park and so the dogs have a great view of all

people and other dogs coming and going. Because of this they tend to bark throughout the day

whenever they see other people/dogs.

I am home all day with our newborn baby and wouldnt say that their barking is excessive but we

are at a point now where we no longer know what to do to keep our neighbour happy. Our neighbour

has made numerous complaints and harrasses us on a daily basis. We tried to compromise by

bringing the dogs inside at night (normally in by 9pm and usually out by 8am) but this has still

not made them happy.

We have tried citronella collars and high-pitched noise collars. We growl 'No" at them every time

that they bark and have also tried numerous behavioural techniques but still we are receving

letters of complaints from the council.

I am almost at my wits end. I have a baby to take care of as well now and the stress of worrying

everytime my dogs make a sound is consuming me. I worry that this neighbour will one day throw

poison or bait over the fence as they are clearly not dog lovers.

Today we received another letter of complaint from the council, if the problem isnt fixed immediately there will be a court case, our dogs will be removed or worse yet,

destroyed.

I have heard about de-barking your dog and whilst Im hesitant to perform any surgical procedure

on my dogs I would rather do this than have my dogs

removed or destroyed.

Does anyone know if this procedure is performed in Adelaide? I have contacted a few vets and they have all said no. Is it just that they dont perform it

or is it illegal for all vets in SA? Is it legal in other states? If I cant get it done in Adelaide I would consider getting it done in Melbourne as I have family there and am planning

a trip there soon.

Does anyone know rough costs?

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks guys.

[Erny]

I know you say the dogs have a big back yard, but I need to ask what sort of exercise (physical AND mental stimulation) do they receive? Also need to ask what and how they interact with you?

De-barking is controversial, as you say. It should be the absolute last resort after all other areas have been exhausted. In this, I'd recommend you seek the services of a behaviourist experienced in matters of barking.

It sounds to me that you are stressed given that you have the onorous (but also joyful) task of looking after baby. But there are other options that might be able to be tried, if you will. Eg. Environment enrichment; Dog Walkers; screening the fence to reduce view; putting up a barrier fence to prevent proximity to boundary fence barking; Dog Training School; anti-bark e-collars; to name a few.

You've mentioned that the dogs don't bark excessively. My understanding is that the Council should not be supporting complaints from a neighbour if the barking is not excessive - although I guess that much depends on the attitude and policies of the Council. Ask the Council for details upon which your neighbour has based his complaint - eg. what days, what times and for what duration is he suggesting the dogs are barking.

Is he the only complainent? Some Councils seek complaints from 3 different sources before they will action.

Having a behaviourist who can do an assessment and report (even informally) to the Council can be helpful. Knowing that you are taking steps towards the reduction of the barking via behaviourist direction can often help with the Council understanding that you are doing what you can to assist, co-operate and resolve your neighbour's cause for complaint and it may induce the Council into giving you more time as well as open-mindedness.

Is there a partner who can assist in providing the dogs with activities that will help satiate your dog's mental and physical requirements? As I mentioned above - simply having a big back yard is not enough. The dogs need something to do.

Edited August 2, 2007 by Erny

[sas]

Hiya

Dogs don't self-exercise so a big backyard isn't really going to help your cause unfortunately. Your dogs may require a morning and evening walk to get them in a better frame of mind.

Giving them mentally stimulating activities to do may also assist: Treat balls/cubes, sandpit & paddling pool - hiding treats in the sandpit etc etc.

Have you consideed blocking off their visual access so they can not see other dogs and people outside of your property?

Have you had a mediation meeting with your neighbour? I was under the understanding that a mediation meeting must take place and if the neighbour doesn't want the meeting then their complaints can't be taken all tht serious unless the Council have been to your place and agree that there is an issue. This of course may not be the case in your council area.

It may be a good idea to get on the phone to your council and tlk through this problem, ask them to come out and access the problem.

Can the dogs have more access to inside?

There is a book called Dog Listener by Jan Fennell, she explains a method in the book on dealing with boundary barkers if that is what the issue is, that may assist?

If you have the funds it may be a good idea to find an accredited Behaviourist, Erny can help you there, to assist you with other methods to calm your dogs barking down.

[Poodle wrangler]

I have a similar problem at the moment, but no complaints as yet.

I would also suggest you clarify the matter with council e.g. dogs are inside overnight and you're at home much of the time? Are the neighbours at home a lot, too?

We have neighbours who have complained about every dog in a 500m radius, but they have zero tolerance for barking. To make it worse, noise travels across our local golf course so they can easily hear dogs 400m away. Their expectations aren't reasonable. I think they need to move to an acreage .

Has the vet said, "NO" knowing the full situation- council letter, other methods tried?

You'd be amazed how many people see debarking as a first resort (someone even posted just that on DOL!).

Debarking results can vary widely, apparently, so it's worth having a vet recommended for the procedure IF it proves necessary.

Best wishes.

I'll watch and see what I can learn, too.