Are barking dogs a problem for you in your neighborhood?

[keb98103]

I’m new to West Seattle and moved here because it seemed like a quiet place full of considerate people. Having lived here now for about a month, I have concluded that there is a serious problem with barking dogs in my neighborhood. I would like to hear from other West Seattle residents who are experiencing the same problem. I know that the City and County have little interest in noise complaints related to barking dogs, and so we can’t count on any real help from officials to solve this problem. But perhaps we can collectively come up with ways to address this. The long and the short of it is that the quality of our lives – and especially our ability to enjoy our yards and outdoor space – should not be negatively impacted by inconsiderate people who allow their dogs to bark incessantly. Supporters: please email me. Haters: don’t bother as I will simply send you to junk. Thanks.

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[Driez206]

So you do not want a discussion about it, just a bunch of people agreeing with you? It probably depends on your exact block, I have seen other posts that have addressed this, with some helpful solutions.

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[keb98103]

Actually, in my post I said I wanted to hear from people who are experiencing the same problem so that we might work together to solve the problem. Thanks for your kind response.

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[vogel]

Can you clarify exactly what you mean by “are barking dogs a problem”?

In general, dogs do bark, and I think for most of us that isn’t a problem. I don’t mind when dogs on my block bark, because they’re a good “early warning system” if someone’s prowling cars or homes.

On the other hand, if you’re having a specific problem, such as a dog next door who barks constantly in the middle of the night, then people here may have some helpful comments for you. But you’re going to have to be more specific what the actual problem is.

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[buttercup]

I agree with Vogel. Dogs bark, that’s life, daytime barking should be thought of as no different than the bylaws for noise. Night time is different, if they are barking to alarm a possible intruder we should be thankful, as long as they are not barking incessantly it should be acceptable. By the way, I don’t have any pets but am glad to know that people around me do and they are protecting me also.

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[keb98103]

I disagree with your statement that “for most of us, that is not a problem.” I have lived in cities all my life, and in most places I’ve lived, there are many people for whom dog barking is a problem. Dogs do have the ability to bark. But some dog breeds bark much more than others. In my opinion, dogs should not be allowed to bark incessantly in a dense residential neighborhood. We do not live in a rural area where a dog’s bark is muted due to distance. I’m not talking about the dog that occasionally barks for a short time and then stops. I’m talking about incessant barking all day long. Dogs can be trained not to bark. It’s the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their dog’s barking doesn’t create a problem for neighbors. If proper training is not possible, then there are humane straps that can be placed around a dog’s muzzle to prevent it from barking. The straps actually help train the dog not to bark. These are the responsible ways to deal with a barking dog in the city. As I see it, it is a lack of responsibility on the part of dog owners that is the root of the problem.

I live in a West Seattle neighborhood where several dogs in the immediate vicinity bark almost all day. I’ve seen their owners outside with them and they don’t even try to prevent their dog from barking.

Let me pose this question: if several of your neighbors played loud music outside that can be easily heard by you on your property, would you have a problem with that – or would you simply say that that is what people do (play loud music)?

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[vogel]

“We do not live in a rural area where a dog’s bark is muted due to distance.”

True- because we choose to live in a city, where there are all sorts of noises.

“Let me pose this question: if several of your neighbors played loud music outside that can be easily heard by you on your property, would you have a problem with that – or would you simply say that that is what people do (play loud music)?”

I’d get to know my neighbors. Maybe I’d enjoy going to the party. Or maybe they have no idea that I work nights and they’re playing music when I sleep. But until I talk to them they won’t know I even have a problem. And unless I get to know them on a friendly basis first, they might not be so motivated to help me with it.

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[keb98103]

Well, Vogel, we obviously don’t agree on the subject. But thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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[Mark32]

keb98103, welcome to the collective. You will now be assimilated, resistance is futile.

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[wsn00b]

keb98103 : Amazon -> Search -> “Dog barking control”

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[JoB]

loud parties have become a problem for me in my neighborhood..

except for the propensity of some to linger over 4th of july fireworks and the annual gay pride party…

we had a nice quiet little neighborhood until a bunch of 30 somethings with small children moved in.

last weekend it was an ABBA singalong at dusk.

who knows what it will be this weekend?

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[mpento]

http://www.seattle.gov/animal-shelter/animal-control/how-we-respond

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[sacatosh]

For whatever reason, we have a lot of beagles/hounds in a block or so in each direction. It’s amusing to hear them start one another going, especially if a fire truck goes by and you hear the chorus of “Bowwwwwwrrrrrrr!” start up and proceed down the block(s.) Most barking doesn’t bug me, if it’s here and there. If a dog barks constantly, that’s a whole different animal *smirk*.

We have a neighbor who allows their dog out front, off leash, to pee/poo. That dog not only barks but charges. I have no idea why this person doesn’t let the dog out in the fenced back to do its business, but they don’t. We’ve had to yell at the dog and “be the alpha” in posture in order to get it to back down, while the neighbor laughs because s/he thinks it’s funny, apparently, when the dog charges people. It’s not a typical bully breed, but a large dog charging is frightening for many people, my spouse included. I have no issue just telling the dog to knock it off, and he tends to listen to me, but my spouse is scared due to a childhood experience in which a big dog tried to kill him and his little dog died defending his life. So yeah, he’s scared. It’s understandable. We’ve tried to talk to the neighbor just to introduce ourselves, and the person actually looks at us, turns around and walks inside. It’s crystal clear there is no interest in being friendly at all, so discussion isn’t going to happen, apparently.

A small, yappy dog or a big booming-bark dog who barks ALL THE TIME is definitely annoying, and I would make a complaint about that for sure. But the occasional bark to alert of an issue? Not that big a deal.

I am a light sleeper and barking dogs, noisy kids, sirens, etc will wake me up. I’ve realized that’s my own issue and not that of the variety of noise-makers in the neighborhood. So, I sleep with a white noise machine or a fan going in my bedroom. It blocks out everything. My neighbors (the good ones) know that in an emergency, bang on the bedroom window, not the door, to get my attention.

In short, if it’s a regular, constant noise issue, make a complaint. If it’s periodic noise that’s just annoying you, get some white noise going and drown it out.

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[Cait]

Dogs need a minimum amount of outdoor time, legally speaking, per day. Some of those dogs bark. Just like if people’s kids are screaming or their car is loud or parties happen on weekends, I’m sorry but that’s what happens when you live in the city. If it’s constant and it’s not just that you don’t like dogs, talk to your neighbor. But I would suggest adjusting your attitude before you approach them because it needs to be a collaborative conversation otherwise they are going to write YOU off as a dog hater and are not likely to do anything about it.

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[pattilea]

Welcome to West Seattle keb98103. I am sorry you have this problem, with barking dogs. It used to happen my neighborhood. It was a nuisance, I was happy when the neighbor moved. I had another neighbor that didn’t clean up after their dogs business. And the stink made us lose our enjoyment of eating out on our patio. I love dogs, but not the annoying constant barking. Sometimes the owner is unaware what their dog does when they are not at home. A dog doesn’t need to bark to the point of your loss of enjoyment in your home, and yard. I went to my neighbor and very nicely talked to them about the odor. She was embarrassed not realizing it left her yard. It was quickly cleaned up, and I left her some flowers. I believe it was handled quickly because of my approach. good luck!

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[acemotel]

Here is the other side of the coin. I have been looking after a friend’s dog while she is going through cancer treatment. The dog is a sweet 10-year old shorthair mutt, a rescue. I have known this dog since she was just a small pup, and she has never been a barker. Suddenly this time, she barks at everything she hears outside – the mail delivery person, a car parking in front of the house, the paper deliver person, etc. I think it’s a symptom of dementia, because she also does other things such as standing still and staring at the corner of the room for minutes at a time. It’s not a constant bark (not even close) but enough to be annoying to me, and I always think about the neighbors: can they hear it? is it bothering them? OTOH, she is an elderly dog, and she’s not mine – I don’t want to use bark control on her. I also have my own dog, who wouldn’t bark even if her life depended on it. If someone was bothered by my friend’s dog, I certainly would want them to knock on my door and have a friendly discussion.

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[Cait]

Definitely knock on someone’s door before you use something like a bark deterrent that someone else posted here. Suggest it to the owner, don’t take it upon yourself.

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[datamuse]

As a side note, if you want people to e-mail you, you need to provide your address.

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[Ms. Sparkles]

Is it possible that what you think is “a” dog barking constantly is actually several barking intermittantly?

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I ask because I have a dog whose bark sounds EXACTLY like my back neighbor’s dog (to the point I’ve gone out back to pull my dog inside for barking only to find my dog snoozing on my couch). My dog is a barker, and so are my neighbor’s dogs – none are “incessant” but if they’re barking at different times, they sound so similar that it would seem like a single dog barking for long stretches.

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I recently received one of the city’s laughable “warning” letters – that included a paraghraph explaining that roosters aren’t allowed within city limits. I don’t have chickens or roosters, but some neighbor I can’t quite pin point has chickens I can hear from my yard. It made me wonder if whomever complained to the city just listed every address within an X block radius on their complaint.

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Finally, there is NO humane “bark control” device – I’ve spoken to my BFF who is also a veternarian, and there isn’t anything on the market that she would recommend.

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Get a white noise machine, ear-plugs and then get over it.

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[keb98103]

To all those who have responded to my post: thank you for your feedback. Most of you have now confirmed that I made a terrible decision to move to West Seattle. With the exception of JoB and Sacatosh, I find your need to be critical and mean repulsive. If you represent the marjority in West Seattle, then I can see why so many people advised me not to move here.

Don’t bother to respond. I will be deleting my registration to this blog and not reading again.

To JoB and Sacatosh – thank you for your support.

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[Duskyviolet]

Well, that wasn’t very nice or neighborly of Keb. Honestly, this is the most reasonable discussion the forum has had about dogs in the last few years!

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[HappyOnAlki]

Wow.

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[sacatosh]

That imploded fast.

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[vogel]

Who would have thought the concept of getting to know your neighbor would be so controversial?

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[wakeflood]

I reread the initial and responding posts again just to reset my perceptions on this thread, as reading kebs exit post was a bit surprising.

I don’t know how anyone else feels but I guess the initial post set a tone that invited some pushback responses? I’m referring to kebs request to find others to jump on the “make WS quiet” bandwagon. And using dogs as the primary lever to do it. That’s two sensitive issues right out of the gate. And dogs is probably the most inflammatory topic we have, as was noted.

I’m a little embarrassed that we collectively got shame-posted (apologies to JoB and Sacatosh) but something tells me that keb was surprised that he/she didn’t get a round of huzzahs?

Regardless, another reminder for me to stay within the neighborly lines and keep my snark monster under control. (Like that’ll happen…). ;-)

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