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Reston Dogs: Whose Dog is Barking?
My neighbors dog won't shut up...
Here in Reston, most of us live close enough to our neighbors to know if they have pets. Often times, and at inconvenient hours, we can hear the sound of a dog barking, and for some, it never ends! You can call animal control for a noise complaint, but if your neighbor knows it's you - or thinks it's you - you will be putting stress on your "neighborly-ness." So hear lies the problem - we have barking dogs, and owners who can't, won't, or just don't know how - to stop it.
Initially, let's address why they are barking. No matter the size of the dog - if it stands at the window all day - while owner is at work - and barks - it's essentially entertaining itself. Most dogs who do bark excessively, are lacking attention, exercise, boundaries, and structure. If the owner is home - then you should see the owner attempt to stop the barking. If they are not home - it is nicer to email or ask them politely. If that doesn't stop - I would go to the HOA or whoever is in charge of your complex (not sure if Reston Association does that), and ask them to warn the owner. If that doesn't work, then there is animal control - but most owners I come across feel embarrassed when discovering their dog is a nuisance, and want to remedy the situation immediately.
What if your dog is the barker?
The good news is you can fix it! Why does your dog bark? Are they bored? Protecting your house? Maybe the cat down the street is "taunting" them?! There are a few solutions to consider.
- Give your dog a midday break, let them get a little of that stimulation out.
- Send your dog to daycare, there are tons of affordable options for Reston.
- Crate your dog, if it's crate trained, which allows you more control of your dog's environment
- Take an early morning walk or jog to tire your pup out! Nothing is better than an exhausted dog!
- Get a bark collar (they make them for every size dog, including toy dogs!): There are collars which spray a citronella scent when triggered, and there are the stimulation "shock" collars. I do suggest trying it on yourself before your put it on your dog - different models are better than others. There is also a "sonic sound" for dogs to stop them from barking - but I find this RARELY works.
- Get your dog another dog! They can keep each other company during the day (but that also may mean two dogs barking - so you gotta get it under control!)
I have a dog - isn't barking allowed?
Yes of course. But excessive barking is not, ever, in any situation aside from an emergency. Barking is allowed in moderation. If a person comes to your door, window, home, yes your dog SHOULD bark! They are alerting of you a situation! Good dog! However, after you acknowledge the situation, you should ask your dog to be quiet and go back to a normal state of mind. Tell your dog to go lay down on their bed, crate, spot, etc... and you will take care of the visitor. The dog should then be quiet.
Barking is allowed during the day if you are not home and someone walks by your house. Your dog is protecting it's home, and yes this is allowed. Neighbors may not like it, but your dog has a right to bark if someone passes by. BUT - your dog CANNOT excessively bark. Then it is a disturbance. It's a fine line - and definitely depends on each individual situation - but overall, a few barks should be it. If you live in a place where people are walking by all day long constantly, then your dog will have to associate barking and guarding which just people who come to your door and/or windows. A dog just cannot bark all day.
What the county says:
Animals may not frequently howl, bark, meow, squawk or make noises that can be heard across property boundaries or through common walls within a building.
For complaints, contact the Police Department non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, TTY 711
What do you think?
Margaret Perry
10:14 am on Monday, September 3, 2012
Sadly my dog is one of those dogs. She has high anxiety and we have tried many of the options above to no avail. As for your suggestion that there are many affordable options for daycare (which is a way to get the nuisance out of the neighborhood for a least a while) - they are not affordable for all. I would get rid of the dog, but my kids love her and I can't do that to them. Your editorial appears to automatically assume that because my dog is a nuisance I (or others) have tried to do nothing to stop it. I promise my dog is more of a nuisance to me than anyone else. Perhaps a little sympathy and grace towards the dog owner could also be an option. Otherwise condemn me, because my dog probably won't shut-up until she dies.
Alicia Wolman
9:58 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
Margaret -
There are options for every budget to help manage your dog. yes, even free. Have a neighborhood kid, friend, cousin, person you trust, stop in on your dog during the day to give them a break.
Hire a dog walker for 10$ a day (I know there are definitely some local independent ladies who do that).
Daycare usually starts at $20/day and there are places you can drop off - or have a company pick up your dog for the day (whole day) for just $20/day.
you YOURSELF can exercise your dog in the morning to get her tired before you leave - very tired dogs don't bark very often.
you can get a bark collar from amazon.com for under 20 bucks.
I am sorry there is not much sympathy. There ARE OPTIONS for every person. You just have to explore farther, you have to make it a PRIORITY.
If you just got your dog for your kids and that's your excuse for not training it?! Do you let your kids make a nuisance as well? I would imagine not....
I hope this helps - you CAN stop your dog from barking.
Carlos in Reston
8:47 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I think a dog crate is a great, low-cost option. The crate can be located in an interior room, with no windows that minimizes sound from reaching out or into the space. A crate can help your dog feel safe and comfortable because you're providing the security of a den. There are lots of articles on the Web that explain how to successfully introduce a dog to a crate.
In regards to having two dogs, I think that's counterproductive. If one tends to bark, generally, that encourages the second to bark too. We have that situation in our cluster. Believe me, two barking dogs is not better than one. Thanks for the article.
Alicia Wolman
7:44 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Yes I definitely support the crate idea. With two dogs it sometimes will cure a dog with separation anxiety, in the right circumstance
Margaret Perry
12:37 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
You are more than welcome to come train my dog. For FREE because I can't afford anything higher than that. And I will remember your lack of Grace and Compassion when next we meet.
Margaret Perry
12:38 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
And yes there are times when my kids are a nuisance too. But I bet you have suggestions for that too!
Alicia Wolman
9:41 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Aw Margaret, this is the exact attitude that enables your barking dog.
As a professional dog trainer in Reston, I would be happy to give you a one hour free training session and develop a plan for your barking dog.
I have helped many people with this exact problem, and have been successful.
But, the owner has to be open and be willing to fix the problem, that is step one.
I am sorry if I made you feel like i had a lack of compassion. I get frustrated with people who feel there is nothing they can do for their dog. There are ENDLESS solutions, literally.
Hopefully you will do what is best for you and your family :)
Christine
8:59 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Alicia - I agree there are many options out there, but you might want to rethink that only $10/day or $20/day is affordable. If someone works 5 days a week, that is $200 ($10/day) or $400 ($20/day) a month. That is some serious change for many people - and many just cannot afford an extra couple hundred or more a month.
Alicia Wolman
10:56 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Yes, I wasn't thinking everyday, but maybe one or two times a week. It is good to get the dog out. But honestly, all of us could get up a little earlier and exercise our dogs if we wanted to.
Set rules in your house, and set correct ways of enforcing those rules. Say to your dog, kids, etc... there is no more barking, no more crazy dog, and find an effective way of enforcing that, and do it!
Fixing your dog's problem can be FREE all the way around. If you get up early and exercise your dog, have someone stop in on them once or twice a week at the very least, and exercise your dog when you get home.
If your dog is a source of stress, then reevaluate your situation. Dogs should bring joy and comfort.