Help needed with noisy dogs

[NicknRo]

My husband and I purchased a brand new CYV at the end of last year and our goal is to move in end of 2016. The home has been put in the long term rental pool. The house has been shown many times and shows beautifully BUT we have lost out on at least 2 renters because our next door neighbor has at LEAST 2 dogs that bark incessantly. The agent believes they are left out all day. This is a showstopper for our rental opportunity and we have already missed out on Jan/Feb and March rentals!!
We have contracted Code Enforcement and Animal Control - and found out that there have been numerous complaints from other neighbors about these dogs and they will talk to them - but that's it.....
We are at our wits end -- anyone have any suggestions? We are in Massachusetts - so we are doing all of this long distance.....
Help!!!

[TraceyMooreRN]

My husband and I purchased a brand new CYV at the end of last year and our goal is to move in end of 2016. The home has been put in the long term rental pool. The house has been shown many times and shows beautifully BUT we have lost out on at least 2 renters because our next door neighbor has at LEAST 2 dogs that bark incessantly. The agent believes they are left out all day. This is a showstopper for our rental opportunity and we have already missed out on Jan/Feb and March rentals!!
We have contracted Code Enforcement and Animal Control - and found out that there have been numerous complaints from other neighbors about these dogs and they will talk to them - but that's it.....
We are at our wits end -- anyone have any suggestions? We are in Massachusetts - so we are doing all of this long distance.....
Help!!!

Wow-sorry you are having difficulties. We have heard this discussion many times with CYV and dogs barking. Maybe it is the echo of the walls? Or the fact that potential renters are viewing the property and the dog hears someone and can't see the person? Not sure--but what a sad situation.

Not sure about Florida Law- in Virginia we would call local City/County Police Dept for "nuisance" noise. They would send an officer or animal control officer out. If the dog is found to be barking constantly they would indeed make contact with the owner- after the 3rd complaint citations for noise control would be issued.

I always rented our property site unseen- by photos online that I would send potential renters. I placed an ad in the Daily Sun- emailed photos of the interior/exterior and never had a problem renting out my home 1/2007-06/2012. I had a patio villa, not a court yard for rental property.

Good luck!

[dsbouley]

I would stand at his front door all night ringing his doorbell every night until he got the message

[PPLEPEU]

I would stand at his front door all night ringing his doorbell every night until he got the message

That's a little difficult since the OP lives in MA.

[dsbouley]

Did you notice it says "I" and not they.

[Taltarzac725]

Dog Barking Laws in Florida | eHow (http://www.ehow.com/list_6568285_dog-barking-laws-florida.html)

You may want to check the County Ordinances for whatever part of the Villages this is in or City laws if it is in Wildwood or Lady Lake.

[TheVillageChicken]

My husband and I purchased a brand new CYV at the end of last year and our goal is to move in end of 2016. The home has been put in the long term rental pool. The house has been shown many times and shows beautifully BUT we have lost out on at least 2 renters because our next door neighbor has at LEAST 2 dogs that bark incessantly. The agent believes they are left out all day. This is a showstopper for our rental opportunity and we have already missed out on Jan/Feb and March rentals!!
We have contracted Code Enforcement and Animal Control - and found out that there have been numerous complaints from other neighbors about these dogs and they will talk to them - but that's it.....
We are at our wits end -- anyone have any suggestions? We are in Massachusetts - so we are doing all of this long distance.....
Help!!!

Which county is your Villages property in?

[obxgal]

OP said "My husband and I purchased a brand new CYV at the end of last year". From that information I would say they purchased in Sumter county, being that's the only area new homes were being built last year.

[Golfingnut]

1. Find out as much about the dogs as you can.
2. Offer them up for adoption for free.
3. Wait for the owners to drive off and immediately kidnap them and delver them to the adoptive family.

[gomoho]

We rented a CYV for a week and upon arrival were greeted by the neighbor's crazy barking dog - settled down as soon as he realized he wasn't scaring us away. We rented on line so had no idea about this dog so I can certainly understand an issue if someone is previewing the property and are faced with this. The only recourse I see is to somehow speak to your neighbor and come to an agreement Perhaps you could have
whoever is showing your property tape the commotion and you could then confront the neighbor with that evidence.

[NicknRo]

We are in the Village of Pinellas. Thanks for the replies....I especially liked the door bell response. We are actually coming this weekend...found out there were other complaints about these dogs...so perhaps we can form a mob!!!

[KathieI]

We are in the Village of Pinellas. Thanks for the replies....I especially liked the door bell response. We are actually coming this weekend...found out there were other complaints about these dogs...so perhaps we can form a mob!!!

Good luck... Hope things work out for ya!!! More than anything, have a fun time!!!

[Maryc7878]

I had a similar problem in a house we owned. The dog barked from 6AM onward. I finally called the neighbor. She was so apologetic. I never heard that dog bark again. Give them a call. Tell them just what you said here. You may be surprised. In a positive or negative way. But, either way, you have nothing to lose

[bike42]

Try one of the dog bark control devices that you place in your own yard (most say they work up to 50 feet), or offer to buy the owners a bark control collar.

[TVMayor]

Try one of the dog bark control devices that you place in your own yard (most say they work up to 50 feet), or offer to buy the owners a bark control collar.
I like that, every time the dog barks the owners get a shock in the neck.

[ricthemic]

My husband and I purchased a brand new CYV at the end of last year and our goal is to move in end of 2016. The home has been put in the long term rental pool. The house has been shown many times and shows beautifully BUT we have lost out on at least 2 renters because our next door neighbor has at LEAST 2 dogs that bark incessantly. The agent believes they are left out all day. This is a showstopper for our rental opportunity and we have already missed out on Jan/Feb and March rentals!!
We have contracted Code Enforcement and Animal Control - and found out that there have been numerous complaints from other neighbors about these dogs and they will talk to them - but that's it.....
We are at our wits end -- anyone have any suggestions? We are in Massachusetts - so we are doing all of this long distance.....
Help!!!

Do you know if the problem CYV is owner occupied or rental? If it is a rental I am sure the owner would like to know

[Bonanza]

To NicknRo:

What a terrible situation you are in. We have dogs and I am very sensitive to barking dogs. Ours are never out without one of us and when they bark at something on the lanai, we take them in.

Since you will be here, I agree with others that you should begin with honey and try Mr. Nice Guy first. Explain that you have lost money because their dogs have chased potential renters off and see what they say. If they are receptive to you, they will do something about the problem. If not, you have to give them a sample of tough love and bother them by knocking on their door every time their dogs start up.

Get together with other neighbors who feel the same way you do and brainstorm.

Please let us all know how things go and good luck!

[asianthree]

we did not buy a cyv for this reason, and i really wanted one..we rented for a week and the noise of a few owners dogs were just too much..the second our dog barked i was out the door to fix it...so many great responsible owners and it just takes one to make your day crazy..Talk to them when you come down or have your rental agent speak to them...thats what you are paying them for

[Mr.Big]

My husband and I purchased a brand new CYV at the end of last year and our goal is to move in end of 2016. The home has been put in the long term rental pool. The house has been shown many times and shows beautifully BUT we have lost out on at least 2 renters because our next door neighbor has at LEAST 2 dogs that bark incessantly. The agent believes they are left out all day. This is a showstopper for our rental opportunity and we have already missed out on Jan/Feb and March rentals!!
We have contracted Code Enforcement and Animal Control - and found out that there have been numerous complaints from other neighbors about these dogs and they will talk to them - but that's it.....
We are at our wits end -- anyone have any suggestions? We are in Massachusetts - so we are doing all of this long distance.....
Help!!!

Make your CYV pet friendly, and I will take Jan-March 2015. If the neighbors let their dogs bark continuously, then, I will let mine bark at them continuously. Maybe, they will get the message. I take my Airedale and English Springer Spaniel to the Villages every winter. I don't leave them out back alone. I even cage them inside the CYV for "peace of mine" when we are away. I also bag their waste. I have never not received my entire deposit back from my Villages landlords! Villager references available!

[duffysmom]

Make your CYV pet friendly, and I will take Jan-March 2015. If the neighbors let their dogs bark continuously, then, I will let mine bark at them continuously. Maybe, they will get the message. I take my Airedale and English Springer Spaniel to the Villages every winter. I don't leave them out back alone. I even cage them inside the CYV for "peace of mine" when we are away. I also bag their waste. I have never not received my entire deposit back from my Villages landlords! Villager references available!

Now this is the perfect solution. Check it out, pet friendly rentals usually charge more.

[looneycat]

Now this is the perfect solution. Check it out, pet friendly rentals usually charg more.

throw a jar of peanut butter over the fence....ever see a dog try to bark while eating peanut butter??:beer3:

[njbchbum]

Make your CYV pet friendly, and I will take Jan-March 2015. If the neighbors let their dogs bark continuously, then, I will let mine bark at them continuously. Maybe, they will get the message. I take my Airedale and English Springer Spaniel to the Villages every winter. I don't leave them out back alone. I even cage them inside the CYV for "peace of mine" when we are away. I also bag their waste. I have never not received my entire deposit back from my Villages landlords! Villager references available!

Now this is the perfect solution. Check it out, pet friendly rentals usually charg more.

Oy vey! Then the rest of the neighbors will have MORE barking dogs to deal with!!!!!

[e-flyer]

It's not only in CYV. We walk our dog regularly in our neighborhood, one house leaves their front bedroom window open and their very large dog barks at anyone that walks by, usually catches my wife off guard and makes her jump thinking that a dog is coming at her. I think half the time, they are not even home, as it continues to bark long after we pass. Others leave their dogs on their lanai's unattended, or have the lanai doors open and the dogs come running out barking insanely anytime they see another dog being walked. I'm sure they are good at warding off potential theives, but I would be po'd for sure if they were my neighbors, and had to listen to that all the time. Poor dog ownership gives all of us dog lovers a bad name.

[TheVillageChicken]

I am a squeaky wheel kind of guy. I would take these two pieces of information from Sumter County's website and work my way up the chain of command until I got a result.

•County Code 4-7 - To allow your dog to bark excessively and continuously is in violation of ordinance

Responsibilities
Animal Services is responsible for enforcement of all County Codes related to the ownership and care of domestic animals. The department operates seven days a week with six full-time officers. Please remember that Animal Services responds to emergencies first.

[rubicon]

Continual barking is a violation and has been addressed more than once on this forum. I strongly recommend you contact the district office and explain this situation is interfering with your financial transactions. Perhaps Village Watch can pay them a visit. I would tolerate that sort of thing for more than 10 minutes before I would call in the authorities

[KeepingItReal]

Continual barking is a violation and has been addressed more than once on this forum. I strongly recommend you contact the district office and explain this situation is interfering with your financial transactions. Perhaps Village Watch can pay them a visit. I would tolerate that sort of thing for more than 10 minutes before I would call in the authorities

You would think these type things would be handled promptly but in reality they will make a visit but beyond that nothing will be done. Been there, done that, with a guy playing a band in his garage rattling windows.

[karostay]

Get a dog whistle start blowing it in middle of the night

[gerryann]

Get a dog whistle start blowing it in middle of the night

Why??? To wake up all the dogs in the neighborhood? ......then they are all barking? :shrug::oops:

[billjudy]

Is your home pet friendly??? Friends are looking to rent a 2 bedroom pet friendly home Jan - March, 2015! People who have dogs may be more understanding about dog noise???

[CFrance]

I like that, every time the dog barks the owners get a shock in the neck.

From reports I've heard, that's about the only way those things would work!

[Golfingnut]

This is a hard one for me. I love dogs and have a neighbor with a bird dog that barks all the time. It does not bother me, but a few of the other neighbors are distraught over this. I am afraid for the dog and the owner. I have overheard some very disturbing comments about violence to both the owner and the dog. I have talked to the owner about this and they are in fact having a trainer work with the dog. It is a hard case for me to deal with.

[SantaClaus]

We used to have a couple of Labs who were a nuisance to the neighbors so we had to have their vocal cords cut. They acted like it never happened, silently barking their hearts out, and the neighbors were happy. Maybe get a quote from a vet and drop it in their box; maybe they don't know there is a solution.

[keithwand]

Bad Santa.

[SantaClaus]

???

[BobnBev]

We used to have a couple of Labs who were a nuisance to the neighbors so we had to have their vocal cords cut. They acted like it never happened, silently barking their hearts out, and the neighbors were happy. Maybe get a quote from a vet and drop it in their box; maybe they don't know there is a solution.

Seems very extreme to me. If your house was on fire at night, I'm sure the barking dogs,(you know, the ones with the cut vocal cords), would have alerted you, with their barking. :rolleyes:

A shock collar to stop the barking would have been much more humane.

[SantaClaus]

Smoke alarms are cheap, a forced move to the country is not. Bark collars require training to be effective, and these home owners don't seem to be interested or capable of training their dogs. There is nothing inhumane about debarking; spaying/neutering has a bigger effect on the dogs physiology. And like I said earlier, our dogs had no idea their bark was gone (well, dramatically quieter). I'd much rather have the surgery than have to give the dogs away. I love my dogs like children but if barking stood in the way of us moving to the Villages I'd have the surgery done again in a heartbeat.

[Patty55]

We used to have a couple of Labs who were a nuisance to the neighbors so we had to have their vocal cords cut. They acted like it never happened, silently barking their hearts out, and the neighbors were happy. Maybe get a quote from a vet and drop it in their box; maybe they don't know there is a solution.

OMG, I would never mutilate my dogs. I would, however, allow my neighbor to have his own eardrums punctured.

[Golfingnut]

OMG, I would never mutilate my dogs. I would, however, allow my neighbor to have his own eardrums punctured.

Why does barking bother some and not others? It has no effect on me, but some folks are horrified by it.

[gerryann]

I had two Dashunds. Loved them both. One was well behaved and the other a brat...but I still loved her. She was a barker. Barked at birds, at leaves, at the wind. Sometimes she barked just cause she could. We tried EVERYTHING!!!! Discipline, shaking coins in a can (loud noise), citronella spray (supposed to work), even did the shock collar. (Tried one time). My son heard the dog yelp and was upset. He put the collar on himself and he yelped. I took the collar back and sent the company a long letter about the cruelty of that awful collar. We were getting complaints from everyone about the barking. Finally, her vet suggested that we de-bark her. She said it was not cruel. She also told us that she went to a place where a whole room full of beagles had been de-barked. She said it was still quite loud and that it only muffles the bark. I chose to forget the de-barking procedure and just did the best I could to deal with her and her barking. She died at 11 years from someone who poisoned her. She died of kidney failure. Her sister lived to 18. It can be a real problem for anyone to go through. My pup now never barks. She's a sweetheart. But if she did bark I would still love her.

[buggyone]

We used to have a couple of Labs who were a nuisance to the neighbors so we had to have their vocal cords cut. They acted like it never happened, silently barking their hearts out, and the neighbors were happy. Maybe get a quote from a vet and drop it in their box; maybe they don't know there is a solution.

That is one of the cruelest things I have ever heard of doing. You and the vet should have both been fined and jailed. The vet should have had his license revoked forever.

YOU are now on my IGNORE list.

[SantaClaus]

That is one of the cruelest things I have ever heard of doing. You and the vet should have both been fined and jailed. The vet should have had his license revoked forever.

YOU are now on my IGNORE list.


Wow, seriously? This is very common and the dogs were as happy as ever. Seriously, neutering is way "crueler". Even the ASPCA fight efforts to make the procedure illegal.

[JSR22]

That is one of the cruelest things I have ever heard of doing. You and the vet should have both been fined and jailed. The vet should have had his license revoked forever.

YOU are now on my IGNORE list.

:agree:

[SantaClaus]

Ok, you caught me, I'm a dog mutilator... And I make patè and veal in my back yard. Whatever.

[senior citizen]

We used to have a couple of Labs who were a nuisance to the neighbors so we had to have their vocal cords cut. They acted like it never happened, silently barking their hearts out, and the neighbors were happy. Maybe get a quote from a vet and drop it in their box; maybe they don't know there is a solution.


Never thought of that, but we have had Irish Setters who were total clowns and barked incessantly......enough so that the neighbors would call and complain. So, I do understand the neighbors' frustration.


Also, our daughter and husband had two huge Tibetan Mastiffs who also barked constantly........day and night. They told us that it was because the Tibetan Mastiffs were raised to "guard the temple".....that it was "ingrained in their breed". All I know is that our neighbors would call and demand that we stop these dogs from barking. It's a very difficult situation. Finally, one long Thanksgiving weekend of barking did it........a neighbor in back called to say her husband was dying of cancer and could we please stop the dogs from barking.........I simply handed the phone to my daughter. After that, they found a dog boarding place and came down alone, just with the grandchildren. A great relief.


Now we have two little beagles across the road from us that only bark, in unison, every evening at about 8:30 p.m. and drive the neighborhood crazy..........we love dogs , however, not everyone can tolerate the incessant barking. Did the vet recommend the vocal cord cutting???

[SantaClaus]

I'd never heard of the surgery until the vet brought it up in reaction to our desperation brought on by angry neighbors and a very threatening visit from the police.

[CFrance]

It is a very tough situation. I had never heard of it until my friend got a rescue from a couple who breeds corgis. She always had a kennel full of corgis, which she raised for show, and she debarked all of them. I was appalled at the time.

However... who's to judge if you have the difficult choice between that and surrendering your dogs to an uncertain future? Some dogs bark and cannot be stopped. I wanted to say, Just keep your dogs inside (which I wish my neighbors over the wall from us would do with their incessant little yappers), but perhaps your situation was different. Hard to keep two labs inside all the time, but were they outside dogs only? Or could you have brought them in when they started barking? Were you in the country where they had the run of the yard and were used to staying outside a lot?

I don't remember retrievers being incessant barkers. A tendency toward barking was one of the things we researched the heck out of before deciding on a breed. Both of ours were/are "single barkers." One bark when they want to come inside, maybe a double "intruder" bark. I'm sorry you have that situation and had to make that choice. I probably would consider debarking before giving up my dogs.

I'm on the fence, Santa, but I understand your dilemma. I also know I'll probably now get slammed!

[gerryann]

It is a difficult decision. Those that feel they would NEVER do this........would you give up your dog or somewhat silent the bark? Seriously, if you have never had a barker, you can not imagine how difficult it can be. I would NEVER, EVER hurt an animal, but if I HAD to do this or give up my dog?????........

[perrjojo]

We had a "barker" and bought a citronella bark collar. When he barked it sprayed a bit I of citronella. It took a short time for him to learn barking was not rewarding. It is harmless and humane and most of all effective. He is now 12 and when he is tempted to bark we say, NO Bark and he stops immediately.

[gerryann]

We had a "barker" and bought a citronella bark collar. When he barked it sprayed a bit I of citronella. It took a short time for him to learn barking was not rewarding. It is harmless and humane and most of all effective. He is now 12 and when he is tempted to bark we say, NO Bark and he stops immediately.

Tried the citronella collar and she loved it!!! She barked just to get a spray! And kept barking to get more....just didn't work for my barker.

[Bonanza]

This is a hard one for me. I love dogs and have a neighbor with a bird dog that barks all the time. It does not bother me, but a few of the other neighbors are distraught over this. I am afraid for the dog and the owner. I have overheard some very disturbing comments about violence to both the owner and the dog. I have talked to the owner about this and they are in fact having a trainer work with the dog. It is a hard case for me to deal with.

Please post information regarding the dog trainer your neighbors are going to use.
It just might be helpful to others.

[CFrance]

Please post information regarding the dog trainer your neighbors are going to use.
It just might be helpful to others.

I believe some people around here have used Bark Busters.

[Patty55]

This is a hard one for me. I love dogs and have a neighbor with a bird dog that barks all the time. It does not bother me, but a few of the other neighbors are distraught over this. I am afraid for the dog and the owner. I have overheard some very disturbing comments about violence to both the owner and the dog. I have talked to the owner about this and they are in fact having a trainer work with the dog. It is a hard case for me to deal with.

I'd move. Wouldn't want neighbors that made threatening comments.

[sailor47]

We had good friends that had a black Lab that was a barker. They used one of those bark collars that shock 20 years ago. The shock, I believe, is adjustable. I don't think it is inhumane particularly if the shock is adjustable. In any event our friends dog was cured of barking. Sometimes the dog would get a little wound up and start to bark. All they had to do was hold up the collar and the dog would stop and not even think about barking. It does take consistent training even with a bark collar. I personally never had a barking problem with any dog I ever had and I had a lot. They were house pets from boarder collies to springers and various mutts but training always worked. All my dogs were post shock collars so we just used standard training.

Having said all that the OP really should talk to the offending neighbors. They may think this barking is just fine. If that doesn't work start hounding the authorities. Eventually they will do their job. May take some time but it will get done. And finally it would seem the OP has legal grounds to sue or at least file a suit against the neighbors for lost income. The OP would have to document this but that certainly seems possible. If that doesn't get the neighbors attention I don't know what would.

Always keep in mind all dogs are trainable some owners are not or are simply too lazy and inconsiderate to do the right thing!!!

[Barefoot]

It is a difficult decision. Those that feel they would NEVER do this........would you give up your dog or somewhat silent the bark? Seriously, if you have never had a barker, you can not imagine how difficult it can be. I would NEVER, EVER hurt an animal, but if I HAD to do this or give up my dog?????........
It would be a tough call. I cringe at the idea of debarking. But I think it would be worse to surrender your dogs to a humane society where they would be caged, unhappy, and eventually euthanized. Or worse, adopted by someone who beat them because they barked.

[Golfingnut]

It would be a tough call. I cringe at the idea of debarking. But I think it would be worse to surrender your dogs to a humane society where they would be caged, unhappy, and eventually euthanized. Or worse, adopted by someone who beat them because they barked.

Agree totally. Mr. Buster don't seem to notice he is blind and deaf, but I fear he would be heartbroken without us in his life.

[MoeVonB61]

DOGS can and do respond to training. You need to start by speaking with the Owners. AND BTW, because virtually all rentals do not take pets (their OK with crayon painted walls from grandchildren though???), MAKE your rental a pet-friendly rental like ours was AND CHARGE THE NON-REFUNDABLE pet fee. NOT ONLY WILL YOU BE AT 80% occupancy with your rental, you will get more $$ and more money for carpet cleaning,etc. We had tenants whose grandchildren destroyed our carpet with Kool Aid and walls with crayons. The tenants with pets ARE BETTER than those with grandkids!..

[TheVillageChicken]

TRUST me on this....wait until about October 2013 when the people who did not advance plan / rent are DESPERATE

There is some incongruity in your statement. If time travel is possible, as implied by your telling us to wait until last year, then why would one ever worry about advance planning?

[SantaClaus]

I have some big plans for my past... (grin)

[rdhdleo]

Barkbusters is great but it requires the owner to work with the dog.So unless the owner is receptive to taking he time it will not work. They will however continue to work with you and your dog as long as it takes for one set price.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

I feel for everyone who has to deal with a barking dog issue. I had Great Pyrenees for almost 39 years of my life. They are barkers. Like the Tibetan Mastiffs spoken about it has to do with what they were bred to do. Pyrs were bred to stay up on the mountains of France, alone, and guard sheep from predators and their first line of defense was barking, not attacking. So pyrs bark all the time to say, "Hey, I'm here so stay away." A pyrs bark can be heard for a mile. And that include through the house walls. When my pyrs barked neighbors could hear it inside their house even if the dogs were inside my house. We had neighbors complaining on occasion, but most of my dogs were pretty reasonable and I could train them to not bark ALL the time. My last pyr, however, barked nonstop. We used a citronella collar first- he emptied expensive cartridge after cartridge. So we moved up to shock collar. He'd get shocked, wince, get shocked again, wince again etc. So we gave it up because he never stopped
barking with it. This is a dog who was a therapy dog and very well trained in all other areas. He felt he had a job to do and with pyr determination, he was going to do it. He couldn't be stopped and he was a huge problem. I live on an acre and all my neighbors have an acre also but they could hear him from inside my house to inside theirs. The police came repeatedly and threatened us. We tried a trainer who had no luck. We tried more exercise. Nothing helped. What should we do? Give him back to the breeder? Give him to the shelter? Put him down? We loved this big, noisy boy and it's not like I didn't have many years experience with the breed and it's not like he wasn't great in all other ways and an excellent Therapy Dog and Ambassador at public events. He just had a big mouth. We were pushed to the edge and had to make a choice. We loved him enough to choose debarking. It cost us $2000 and we did it out of love and wanting to keep our dog. The results were that he was still loud enough to be head if we were living in a situation like TV, but living on an acre it was fine. And that's why we won't have any more pyrs. Can't take the chance on having a nuisance barker. He never knew he was debarked and he continued to go through the motions, but it allowed us to keep him until he passed at 12 1/2. I was NEVER sorry I did it as a final resort and I won't apologize for it.

[buggyone]

I feel for everyone who has to deal with a barking dog issue. I had Great Pyrenees for almost 39 years of my life. They are barkers. Like the Tibetan Mastiffs spoken about it has to do with what they were bred to do. Pyrs were bred to stay up on the mountains of France, alone, and guard sheep from predators and their first line of defense was barking, not attacking. So pyrs bark all the time to say, "Hey, I'm here so stay away." A pyrs bark can be heard for a mile. And that include through the house walls. When my pyrs barked neighbors could hear it inside their house even if the dogs were inside my house. We had neighbors complaining on occasion, but most of my dogs were pretty reasonable and I could train them to not bark ALL the time. My last pyr, however, barked nonstop. We used a citronella collar first- he emptied expensive cartridge after cartridge. So we moved up to shock collar. He'd get shocked, wince, get shocked again, wince again etc. So we gave it up because he never stopped
barking with it. This is a dog who was a therapy dog and very well trained in all other areas. He felt he had a job to do and with pyr determination, he was going to do it. He couldn't be stopped and he was a huge problem. I live on an acre and all my neighbors have an acre also but they could hear him from inside my house to inside theirs. The police came repeatedly and threatened us. We tried a trainer who had no luck. We tried more exercise. Nothing helped. What should we do? Give him back to the breeder? Give him to the shelter? Put him down? We loved this big, noisy boy and it's not like I didn't have many years experience with the breed and it's not like he wasn't great in all other ways and an excellent Therapy Dog and Ambassador at public events. He just had a big mouth. We were pushed to the edge and had to make a choice. We loved him enough to choose debarking. It cost us $2000 and we did it out of love and wanting to keep our dog. The results were that he was still loud enough to be head if we were living in a situation like TV, but living on an acre it was fine. And that's why we won't have any more pyrs. Can't take the chance on having a nuisance barker. He never knew he was debarked and he continued to go through the motions, but it allowed us to keep him until he passed at 12 1/2. I was NEVER sorry I did it as a final resort and I won't apologize for it.


Absolutely non-forgivable!

If your baby cried, would you cut their vocal cords?

One more that should be put in prison for animal cruelty as well as your vet.

One more for the IGNORE list.

[capecodbob]

If you have no results with the authorities and none with the owners I'd consult a lawyer. If the offending owners are causing you loss of income because of their dogs, they should be made to pay for loss of rental income and other damages too!
Just the threat of a lawsuit might just get the dog owner's attention and some results.
Like someone said earlier, most owners are very responsible but a few are not.

[TheVillageChicken]

Absolutely non-forgivable!

If your baby cried, would you cut their vocal cords?

One more that should be put in prison for animal cruelty as well as your vet.

One more for the IGNORE list.

But I suppose it is OK to take their testicles.

[gerryann]

Absolutely non-forgivable!

If your baby cried, would you cut their vocal cords?

One more that should be put in prison for animal cruelty as well as your vet.

One more for the IGNORE list.

You just don't get it.

[SantaClaus]

Contrary to popular belief, I'm just a dude, and dudes can only take so much before they lash back.

[angel222]

Before I moved to TV I lived in a townhouse community in the "no dog" section of that community....We didn't have a dog at the time so We never gave it a second thought. After my husband passed away, a well meaning friend brought me a Yorkiepoo puppy. I was told by the board that the only way I could keep the dog and live in this section was to make sure the dog didn't bark to disturb neighbors (the board was sympathetic of my loss)...desperate not to lose my new friend and not to have to move I took the advice of a vet and got a water bottle. Each time the puppy barked you spray their face with the water and sharply say "NO". It only took a few weeks and she knew not to bark....even when I went to work! She CAN bark but doesn't and she will growl if she hears anyone around the house in the middle of the night to let me know. I really don't have her as a guard dog but as a furry friend. Now she's 10 years old and a total delight....everybody loves her! I realize this method probably can only be used for a puppy but I thought I'd put it out there...a lot more humane than cutting vocal cords IMHO!

[CFrance]

I feel for everyone who has to deal with a barking dog issue. I had Great Pyrenees for almost 39 years of my life. They are barkers. Like the Tibetan Mastiffs spoken about it has to do with what they were bred to do. Pyrs were bred to stay up on the mountains of France, alone, and guard sheep from predators and their first line of defense was barking, not attacking. So pyrs bark all the time to say, "Hey, I'm here so stay away." A pyrs bark can be heard for a mile. And that include through the house walls. When my pyrs barked neighbors could hear it inside their house even if the dogs were inside my house. We had neighbors complaining on occasion, but most of my dogs were pretty reasonable and I could train them to not bark ALL the time. My last pyr, however, barked nonstop. We used a citronella collar first- he emptied expensive cartridge after cartridge. So we moved up to shock collar. He'd get shocked, wince, get shocked again, wince again etc. So we gave it up because he never stopped
barking with it. This is a dog who was a therapy dog and very well trained in all other areas. He felt he had a job to do and with pyr determination, he was going to do it. He couldn't be stopped and he was a huge problem. I live on an acre and all my neighbors have an acre also but they could hear him from inside my house to inside theirs. The police came repeatedly and threatened us. We tried a trainer who had no luck. We tried more exercise. Nothing helped. What should we do? Give him back to the breeder? Give him to the shelter? Put him down? We loved this big, noisy boy and it's not like I didn't have many years experience with the breed and it's not like he wasn't great in all other ways and an excellent Therapy Dog and Ambassador at public events. He just had a big mouth. We were pushed to the edge and had to make a choice. We loved him enough to choose debarking. It cost us $2000 and we did it out of love and wanting to keep our dog. The results were that he was still loud enough to be head if we were living in a situation like TV, but living on an acre it was fine. And that's why we won't have any more pyrs. Can't take the chance on having a nuisance barker. He never knew he was debarked and he continued to go through the motions, but it allowed us to keep him until he passed at 12 1/2. I was NEVER sorry I did it as a final resort and I won't apologize for it.

Absolutely non-forgivable!

If your baby cried, would you cut their vocal cords?

One more that should be put in prison for animal cruelty as well as your vet.

One more for the IGNORE list.

I have to go with lovsthosebigdogs, Buggy. I don't think you can equate a crying human with a barking dog. I happen to know that LovsTBD is a very responsible, experienced dog owner who is perceptive about her dogs and a talented dog handler. She has had many dogs, both rescued and from a breeder. I also know that her Pyr was the essence of what they were bred for. Some of the characteristics of some breeds become muted down through the generations, but sometimes a kickback to the true initial breed comes through.

If I had to choose between giving up a beloved dog to an uncertain fate because of an unfortunate trait and a means to correct the problem without causing mental damage to the dog, I would choose the latter.

Off topic: the sweetest little dog showed up in our backyard today. Wish I could have kept him. He had a tag on him with his name and phone number, and we were able to reunite him with his owner with one phone call. And Duh, our dog has no such tag. He's microchipped, but no tag. Going to fix that tomorrow.

[Barefoot]

...... our dog has no such tag. He's microchipped, but no tag. Going to fix that tomorrow.

Re dog ID tags, I received an interesting suggestion from a guy at the dog park. He told me he gets a two-sided dog tag for his dog. On one side, he puts his residence and cell numbers. On the other side, he puts "Reward $500".

Obviously it's not an idea that all dog owners would like. I've used it on tags for each of our dogs. I figure that a large reward is an excellent incentive for the finder to call the owner rather than keeping the dog, dropping a lost dog at a Humane Society, or turning it out on the street.

P.S. Sorry for the hijack.

[Bonanza]

Wow, seriously? This is very common and the dogs were as happy as ever. Seriously, neutering is way "crueler". Even the ASPCA fight efforts to make the procedure illegal.

I don't know where you get your information, but neutering is NOT cruel.
It is much more kind to neuter than not.
It reduces the chance of pets getting cancer and
definitely reduces the number of unwanted pets and overpopulation.
They are just a couple of reasons for neutering among many others.

Removing a dog's vocal cocrds is not common and most vets will not do it.
Once again, I don't know where you get your information.
That is tantamount to cruel and unusual treatment for the benefit
of the owners who probably shouldn't have a dog.

If someone wants a mostly "barkless" dog, they should get a basenji.

[Bonanza]

But I suppose it is OK to take their testicles.


Yes, it is okay to castrate/neuter a male dog.
Not only is it okay,
it's advisable by humane groups and veterinarians.

[SantaClaus]

Ok, I'm gonna take one more swing at this then I'm out. First, my point about comparing neutering is that one leaves the dog as healthy and happy as ever with essentially no change to his behavior, the other changes the dogs physiology, leaves him prone to obesity (and the host of risks associated) and has a dramatic effect on his behavior. I'll let you guess which is which.

About the acceptance of debarking from Wikipedia:

Multiple animal medicine and animal welfare organizations discourage the use of convenience devocalization, recommending that it only be used as a last resort. However, organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, oppose laws that would make devocalization illegal.

So even the humane societies want debarking as an option, they just don't want it to be a matter of convenience: "hey doc, while he's out for the neutering why don't we go ahead and dock his tail and ears and debark him, too." I think every one would agree that this should be a last resort.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Removing a dog's vocal cocrds is not common and most vets will not do it.
Once again, I don't know where you get your information.
That is tantamount to cruel and unusual treatment for the benefit
of the owners who probably shouldn't have a dog.

If someone wants a mostly "barkless" dog, they should get a basenji.[/CENTER][/FONT][/B][/QUOTE]

I have known many basenji's and they are not silent. While it is true that they don't have an actual 'bark', they do make a loud sound which is a yodel or what sounds to my ears like a screech. They are lovely dogs however. Lucy the Basenji Howls & Yodels - YouTube
Thank you CFrance for your kind words. I could have chosen not to post my debarking here on TOTV and no one would have ever known, and I knew there would be a backlash for it. I thought that perhaps I could help some of you understand that it was an action of last resort from an experienced, responsible, loving dog owner who had a very wonderful but noisy dog and an owner who had tried everything over the years to correct this problem and failed. I guess if I had posted that I euthanized my dog because of it or gave him to a shelter because of it I would have been applauded. Instead I enabled him to lead a very enriched long life afterwards in a loving home, despite what some of you believe.

[Barefoot]

I could have chosen not to post my debarking here on TOTV and no one would have ever known, and I knew there would be a backlash for it. I thought that perhaps I could help some of you understand that it was an action of last resort from an experienced, responsible, loving dog owner who had a very wonderful but noisy dog and an owner who had tried everything over the years to correct this problem and failed. .... I enabled him to lead a very enriched long life afterwards in a loving home, despite what some of you believe.

Roz, I know that you are an experienced and loving dog owner.
I completely understand that debarking is a last resort.
The very thought of debarking is offensive and makes me cringe.
But when I think of the options, I can certainly understand that debarking may be a more
humane option than euthanizing the dog or trying to beat or shock the dog into submission.

[Bonanza]

Removing a dog's vocal cocrds is not common and most vets will not do it.
Once again, I don't know where you get your information.
That is tantamount to cruel and unusual treatment for the benefit
of the owners who probably shouldn't have a dog.

If someone wants a mostly "barkless" dog, they should get a basenji.[/CENTER][/FONT][/B]

I have known many basenji's and they are not silent. While it is true that they don't have an actual 'bark', they do make a loud sound which is a yodel or what sounds to my ears like a screech. They are lovely dogs however. Lucy the Basenji Howls & Yodels - YouTube
Thank you CFrance for your kind words. I could have chosen not to post my debarking here on TOTV and no one would have ever known, and I knew there would be a backlash for it. I thought that perhaps I could help some of you understand that it was an action of last resort from an experienced, responsible, loving dog owner who had a very wonderful but noisy dog and an owner who had tried everything over the years to correct this problem and failed. I guess if I had posted that I euthanized my dog because of it or gave him to a shelter because of it I would have been applauded. Instead I enabled him to lead a very enriched long life afterwards in a loving home, despite what some of you believe.[/QUOTE]

I know from reading many of your previous posts,
you are a loving and responsible dog owner.
Yes -- I truly believe that.

I just think to myself that there are better solutions
to cutting a dog's vocal cord.
My initial first thought would be a bark collar or a personal dog trainer.
I realaize that there isn't always a right answer to all problems,
but I cringe when I think of having that procedure done
in addition to the expense.

Yes, I know Basenjis do make a noise as opposed to a bark.
Alas! Unfortunately, isn't always a solution to every problem. :(

[kittygilchrist]

I knew someone with a dog that had been debarked. He just wasn't right after that.

[skyc6]

After all of these posts, the original issue is what to do with neighbor's dogs who bark non-stop day and night????
You all can say yay or nay on all of these procedures, but meanwhile a villa is unrentable and the neighborhood has to listen to all the barking.
Why should all of the neighbors have to listen to dogs barking non-stop while the owners are not even there. Clearly, the dogs are lonely or bored, which is often the cause of dogs outside barking. I think these owners are guilty of animal cruelty. Call whatever authorities you need to call and call often!

[skyc6]

Absolutely non-forgivable!

If your baby cried, would you cut their vocal cords?

One more that should be put in prison for animal cruelty as well as your vet.

One more for the IGNORE list.

They don't need your forgiveness. The OP needs help with barking dogs!

[Patty55]

I think TV needs to solve this by setting up a special section that combines the hard of hearing with the dog people.

I also think the OP should consider that maybe the barking isn't really the issue. Maybe the house is poorly decorated or has neighbors who have their lawns decorated like circus people.

Me? Don't care about barking dogs, children who play, BIG MOUTH screaming neighbors...gunshots would put me off.

I wouldn't mutilate my pack to make a neighbor happy.

[rockyisle]

I sympathize with Santa and LTBD... Making the decision to de-bark had to be very, very tough... but what most have missed is that the dogs never realized they weren't barking any longer - they still barked, but they could not be heard or create a situation where the police would be called. It seems cruel when you first think about it, but the dogs continued to bark without sound... They continued their behavior without consequences that might have ended their lives.
Is it an extreme decision? Yes it is - but think about what it cost to try to fix this problem? These owners could have dumped their dogs at the side of the road or at a shelter - where we all know what the end of the story would have been. Would you all have preferred they dump their dogs and then have them beaten by new owners who couldn't handle the problem?
I think it was very, very brave of both of them to share this with us. Not a solution that most of us would have chosen, but it allowed them to keep their pets.
I'm not going to judge either of them and thank them for sharing this with us.

[NicknRo]

Many thanks to all the responses to our noisy dog issue! I am happy to report that the issue has been resolved peacefully. We approached our neighbors and since they worked all day and left the dogs in the cyv backyard and lanai -they had no idea they were causing such a racket. They were very apologetic and agreed to keep them inside and have a relative let them out during the day.So alls well that ends well. Now we are just waiting to get long term renter!