Council & Neighbours - Separation Anxiety

[twoblackdogs]

I have applied with my local council to get an exemption to keep 3 dogs at my home.

They sent letters to all my adjoining neighbours and have had several neighbours complain that one of my dogs barks, apparently from the time I leave home until when I get back.

I find this interesting because until now, nobody has approached me about this issue, or made a formal complaint to the council.

Even though the Council Inspector and my Neighbour are not Trained Animal Behaviourists or Dog Trainers they have both said my Dog obviously suffers from Separation Anxiety, and neither of them can offer any assistance or suggestions on how to fix the problem.

My dogs are Trained in Obedience, Retrieving and Show. The one they are blaming for barking does not Destroy anything in the yard and we can safely lock her in the house and go out for several hours without having anything destroyed.

I am currently rotating between leaving her inside, using an Anti Barking Collar and bringing her to work with me and am keeping records of what I am doing each day.

What am I suppose to do from here ??

[persephone]

..Hi.You now contact a recommended professional person. That person comes to your house..checks what the problem is, and helps you to manage it. That person, if they arereputable and honest .. can then write down their findings/instructions which should help explain things to neighbours/council.

If you ask on here- I'm sure someone will suggest who to contact ;)

Wishing you success....and a quiet dog ;)

[leopuppy04]

Just having gone through a similar experience - a few things for thought:

*Have you actually spoken to each of your neighbours? They may not 'own' up to it, but I found mine to be really friendly and helpful in allowing me to help fix/ solve the problem. Ask pointed questions as this will give you a thorough idea of WHAT exactly they are barking at. From your above description, it certainly doesn't sound like a true case of sep anxiety.

*You are doing great for leaving him inside and rotating them outside. This is what I am doing now and will probably continue to do until I re-visit the idea of potential dog runs further down the track.

*Talk to the ranger regarding your options. I spoke to the ranger in my council and he was MOST helpful, explaining thoroughly all of my options and how they would address the issue. I also sent them 'letters of recommendation' and also a brief speel about me and my dogs (what I do for a living and what my dogs do - eg they are obedience trained, compete in obedience and agility and I am a qualified dog trainer etc etc).

While it's been an EXTREMELY stressful few months, I think it's ended up on the positive. My neighbours are happy with how things are progressing and while I don't think you ever SOLVE the problem completely, the barking has reduced. They also know that they can come to me and approach me should any other issues arise.

I went to see each neighbour initially once a week, then once a fortnight, now once a month and later, only if anything changes etc etc. I know it's hard work, but at the end of the day, you (the dog owner) are the one that benefits (as you are able to keep your extra dogs).

PM me if you want more assistance ;)

[twoblackdogs]

Thanks for your comments,

In my letter to the Council I explained the achievements of both my Dogs - Obedience & Retrieving Titles,

and my experience as a Dog Obedience Instructor.

I spoke with several of my neighbours prior to applying for the permit, as we get on really well with them and know they would tell us the truth, but I have another neighbour who I tried to do the right thing by a few months ago. She has a relatively new dog and my husband was working from home for about 8 weeks over Winter. Her dog is a consistent barker after she leaves for work (The barking started around the same time each day and only Mon-Fri)

Several months after getting the dog she had mentioned to me that she was concerned because she hadn't yet heard her dog bark. I approached her after my husband bought it to my attention so that she would be able to address the issue before it got further out of control. It also barks a lot at night if it is left outside (and she is not home). The barking did not change and I went back several weeks later and offered her the use of my Ultrasonic Anti Barking Collar. She returned the collar a few weeks later and flatly refused to use it. She said she had spoken to her Neighbours (Which are the same as mine) and commented that "It's not my dog that is barking it's yours". I commented that I would hope that the concerned neighbours would approach me if it was bothering them so that I could rectify the issue. Nobody came knocking at my door.

Anyway I asked the council inspector for their assistance and that of the neighbours and he couldn't offer any suggestions or recommend any behaviour therapists.

It surprises me that councils can Approve Retaining Walls and Redevelopment of Properties and not notify the adjoining properties. Seems a little unfair!

I feel that we are being victimised here and it's up to me to prove my and that of my dogs innocence?

[Winterpaws]

I have applied with my local council to get an exemption to keep 3 dogs at my home.

They sent letters to all my adjoining neighbours and have had several neighbours complain that one of my dogs barks, apparently from the time I leave home until when I get back.

I find this interesting because until now, nobody has approached me about this issue, or made a formal complaint to the council.

Even though the Council Inspector and my Neighbour are not Trained Animal Behaviourists or Dog Trainers they have both said my Dog obviously suffers from Separation Anxiety, and neither of them can offer any assistance or suggestions on how to fix the problem.

My dogs are Trained in Obedience, Retrieving and Show. The one they are blaming for barking does not Destroy anything in the yard and we can safely lock her in the house and go out for several hours without having anything destroyed.

I am currently rotating between leaving her inside, using an Anti Barking Collar and bringing her to work with me and am keeping records of what I am doing each day.

What am I suppose to do from here ??

I live next door to someone who has a dog that barks constantly and the stress it causes is off the radar.

It doesn't help that she refuses to to believe that her dog barks and will then accuse other people of causing any barking.

From a person on the other side I would say that you should have a chat with them and let them know that you take it very seriously and had no idea that there was a problem. Maybe ask them to let you know on the days it causes an issue and if they can jot down the times so you can try and pinpoint the issue.

I'm in a situation where I am going to have to go a full complaint with council because my neighbour refuses to believe there is an issue. Having her dog declared a nuisance was not something I wanted to do I can also understand why people would not talk to you - our neighbour has threatened my dogs if I go to Council about hers

[poodlefan]

I have applied with my local council to get an exemption to keep 3 dogs at my home.

They sent letters to all my adjoining neighbours and have had several neighbours complain that one of my dogs barks, apparently from the time I leave home until when I get back.

I find this interesting because until now, nobody has approached me about this issue, or made a formal complaint to the council.

Even though the Council Inspector and my Neighbour are not Trained Animal Behaviourists or Dog Trainers they have both said my Dog obviously suffers from Separation Anxiety, and neither of them can offer any assistance or suggestions on how to fix the problem.

My dogs are Trained in Obedience, Retrieving and Show. The one they are blaming for barking does not Destroy anything in the yard and we can safely lock her in the house and go out for several hours without having anything destroyed.

I am currently rotating between leaving her inside, using an Anti Barking Collar and bringing her to work with me and am keeping records of what I am doing each day.

What am I suppose to do from here ??

If all else fails, consider surgical debarking. It's clearly the last resort, not the first but it does work. You'd have to tick all the boxes with noise complaints etc to get a vet to do it but sounds like you've got what you need.

Some dogs are triggered to bark so easily. You could consider setting up a webcam to see what's going on - it could be roaming cats, birds, anything.

[twoblackdogs]

I know my dog barks, but when somebody who works full time complains that your dog barks constantly all day, you have to question how they know this.

Obviously the council won't tell me who has made the comments, but I have asked the inspector for that neighbour to help me identify the problem.

They have no idea why my dog barks, other than separation anxiety.

But what really is separation anxiety, if no other signs other than barking are exhibited.

We do have lots of very big trees in our other neighbours yard with lots of bird life. I also know my dog chases and barks at birds in my backyard.

I am not denying she barks, but why can't people be more open and honest with each other when it comes to situations like this, confront the issue before it becomes a problem. (Just like I tried with my neighbour)

As for Debarking - I wont let it get to that level.

[persephone]

As for Debarking - I wont let it get to that level.

There are worse things, IMO than debarking.

Ok.. can you borrow/buy one of those security type cameras ..and aim it at the yard/dogs? That way you wil have a record of what happens during the day. OR.. buy a digital voice recorder...they run for HOURS.. tuck it safely out the back ..switch it on, and have a listen when you get home.

That way you will knoe/have proof....

[Nekhbet]

set up a camera for a few days to see if your dog actually barks all day, which direction he is barking in (eg if its something else causing him to bark) and hence you will have proof if its yours at all.

[poodlefan]

I know my dog barks, but when somebody who works full time complains that your dog barks constantly all day, you have to question how they know this.

Obviously the council won't tell me who has made the comments, but I have asked the inspector for that neighbour to help me identify the problem.

They have no idea why my dog barks, other than separation anxiety.

But what really is separation anxiety, if no other signs other than barking are exhibited.

We do have lots of very big trees in our other neighbours yard with lots of bird life. I also know my dog chases and barks at birds in my backyard.

I am not denying she barks, but why can't people be more open and honest with each other when it comes to situations like this, confront the issue before it becomes a problem. (Just like I tried with my neighbour)

As for Debarking - I wont let it get to that level.

It sure beats a bait.

[persephone]

It sure beats a bait.

and also much ill feeling/aggravation.

[JulesP]

The only dog I know that has been de-barked still manages to make heaps of noise and it is a really, really horrible noise at that.

[corvus]

But what really is separation anxiety, if no other signs other than barking are exhibited.

Well, there are a host of symptoms that aren't detectable unless you video the dog when they are alone. Pacing, lip-licking, panting, whining, drooling... any sign of stress, really.

[twoblackdogs]

Well folks, even if the council don't give me the approval for 3 dogs I will still be getting my Puppy.

We had an unfortunate turn of events over the last few weeks with our Oldest dog "Chester" - He developed Aggressive Cancer tumours on his neck which we believe were secondary tumours to a lung condition that had developed several months ago and we were due to see the Specialist next week about.

The tumours had grown quite rapidly and had become very nasty, After some research and heartache, we chose to have our Boy put to sleep on Tuesday. The vet said even if we had removed the lumps we may have only had him for another month at most.

[sebastion 2]

to you twoblackdogs thhat is such sad news.