Grr Barking

[JeffnCel]

We have received an official complaint from our Body Corporate stating Buffy's barking is "excessive". There is no definition of what "excessive" barking is, and we are not covered by our city council because we live in a body corporate. I have taped Buffy while I was out today, with a total of about 30 seconds of barking all up. I also had a friend who is an obedience trainer out today for her to take a look at what could be triggers, and just generally get an outsiders view of our doggy.

I emailed K9force(?) about a month ago getting info on anti-bark collars, but I am hesitant at this stage to get one, especially because I really don't know if I should trust these people regarding the complaint. The people across the road say that Buffy hardly ever barks, and the others that have complained have a problem with the owner of our house, so I personally think it's that they just want to tick us off.

My question is, I recently heard about an ultra sonic device that you can put up on a wall or something outside? I read today that they are only about 10% effective if you have a problem barker. If Buffy isn't really that bad, do you think it could be worthwhile giving one a go? They're only about $100. Does anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks everyone

[skip]

I'm too technically challenged to link the topic but Kirsten44 on 23rd nov had a post " Nuisance Dogs(barking) and Council" where she was talking about a device she put on the fence? I wondered at the time but it sounds like your thingo. Maybe ask her if it worked?

Good Luck.

[4 Paws]

If you have a webcam on your computer it may pay to set it up facing your yard and record the dogs movements for a week or so and keep them on your computer with dates etc for proof.

I received a letter from the council a few weeks ago about dog barking and did the webcam thing for a while just as proof in case it went any further.

Good Luck,i hope things go ok for you

[Guest mckinlee]

The epa website will give you a fact sheet on what is considered noise from an animal.

[Poodle wrangler]

I haven't used the device you describe, but have used an ultrasonic collar- no good! Seems to work for surprise value for a few days, then normal barking returned.

Going through body corporate, you can spin out this for a long time- think of all those truly nuisance neighbours you can't get rid of- but go through all the fine print to see where you stand. Common sense doesn't always prevail e.g. a unsubstantiated complaint can be enough to ask you to get rid of the dog .

Ecollars are only meant to be used for 8 hours at a time. The prongs that sit on the dog's throat can cause pressure sores on the skin if left for longer than that. Most people who work are away from home > 8 hours, so it might not be ideal for you.

Can anyone else's dog be barking? It can be hard to tell where it's coming from.

[JeffnCel]

I recorded her yesterday, total barking from 7am to 8:30pm was about 1minute 40seconds the ENTIRE DAY!!! I really don't understand these people. Today she's been out in the rain (which she hates) and has barked for about 30seconds since 6:50am. I am doing the recording whenever I go out, and while I'm at home I have a log book for all her barking. We are also noting down everything else other residents are doing that is "illegal" in the body corporate eyes.

I work funny hours, maybe 3 hours in the morning, then come home, then go out for another 3 hours, but in that time hubby has come home, so Buffy is not on her own all that much, and most of the time I bring her into her crate inside if I know it's not going to be a long time before someone is home. She is also having her first season at the moment so her behaviour is a bit off right now.

If I can prevent it, I don't want to get a bark collar. I don't know about the citronella ones? The refils seem a bit expensive. I don't know, maybe that Dogtra collar from K9force set on low might be the way we'll have to go. If these people are serious about getting rid of our dog, no amount of proof it's not her barking is going to stop them. They'll probably bait her. We've already found some rawhide chews thrown into our yard on 3 occasions. Grrrrrr I hate some people

Edited November 29, 2007 by JeffnCel