Ways to Keep a Neighbor's Dog From Barking

A barking dog can sometimes be a nuisance and can frighten people. If it's your neighbor's dog causing all the noise, then there are several ways to get the dog to stop. It may be a difficult task and it will take some time but if you're persistent, eventually you will find a way to get some relief.

  1. Bribe the Dog

    • There are many reasons a dog may bark, and one of the most common reasons is because the dog wants attention or food. A good first step would be to make soothing noises like most owner's talk to their dogs. If it doesn't seem to work and the dog keeps barking, try to offer the dog some kind of food. Stick to actual dog snacks if you have any, and try not to get too close to the dog just in case it tries to bite.

    Training for the Dog

    • Speak with your neighbor about your dog. Tell them how the barking bothers you and ask how you might be able to help. Offer to do some research and help find an affordable and effective trainer. Many times when a dog has a habit of barking, it's because they were not trained properly when they were pups and don't know to stop when told. At the very least, you can refer your neighbor to some good websites or books on dog training so they can try and do it themselves. If you're comfortable with it, offer to help with the training process as well so the dog will answer to your commands as well. You also may suggest that the pet owner gets a bark control collar, which sends stimulations to the dog when it barks, and trains it not to be vocal.

    Get to Know the Dog

    • Ask your neighbor if it would be alright for you to get to know the dog. Perhaps the dog is barking only when you're in the vicinity and it's just being protective of its family and property. Offer to take the dog on walks or take care of it while your neighbor is at work. The more the dog gets to know you, the less likely it will bark when you're around.

    Lay Down the Law

    • If your neighbor's dog is barking loudly and often, talk to your neighbor and let them know that if nothing can be done, it's possible that the police could get involved. If the dog is disturbing the peace and the owner is unable or unwilling to do something about it, then you are within your rights to notify the police. From there they will handle it but may need to ask you more questions, so be ready to explain the problem. If need be, the police can require the owner to find an alternative way of keeping the dog quiet such as finding it a new home, surgery to de-bark the dog or purchase a shock collar. If the owner still refuses to find a way to quiet the dog, the police may take the animal into custody.