Hi,

Some months ago I made a post here where I asked for suggestions in
dealing with my inconsiderate neighbor and his barking dogs. As I
mentioned in that post a while back, the neighbor has a 3/4 acre lot
with several large guard dogs. As a matter of fact, I believe that he
is running a dog kennel out off of his property (in violation of the
homeowner rules) because of all the barking I've heard coming from
there. I've counted at least 6 dogs on his property, and that's not
including the other dogs that he has on the other side of his lot that
I can't see. Not only that, but these dogs were very, very aggressive
and vicious. Whenever I'd go outside, these dogs would charge up to
the fence.. growling and barking up a storm. Always and for years
they kept doing that. That really got on my nerves.

The dogs would bark incessantly - especially at night. It seemed to me
that the reason why the dogs were barking like that was because they
were being neglected or not being fed properly. These neighbors were
never particularly friendly throughout the years and were at times
hostile for no reason (they had a hermit mentality) so I saw no reason
to have a conversation with these people. Because I expected nothing
to come of it. I had yelled out a few times, "quiet down your dogs",
which I know that these people heard. I wanted to give them the idea
that they were causing a nuisance, but that didn't seem to get them to
understand how much of a problem they were creating.

For a while it became very frustrating. It was hard to follow what was
happening on the tv (the dogs barking would drown it out) and it
irritated me while playing piano. The person who I live with here
asked me, begged me, not to report the neighbors to the police because
I was told that it would cause more problems. SO I asked for advice on
this group and it was recommended to me to use a product such as "Good
Neighbor Barker Breaker",

Well, I did use this product, but it seemed that this only made
problems worse. Much, much worse. It did quiet the dogs down because
the device would emit a corrective tone for each bark picked up on the
microphone, but it made the neighbors very indignant and angry towards
me. The person who I live with at this place told me that the
neighbors were overheard grumbling about the Good Neighbor Barker
Breaker and were saying that I was trying to hurt their dogs. The
neighbors also mentioned, as overheard by the person I live with, that
they were going to call the police on me. It still did not dawn on
these neighbors that if they only were more considerate of people who
live around them, took care of their dogs right, and kept the barking
at a minimum, there would be no rationale for using a product like Good
Neighbor Barker Breaker. But to appease the one I live with here, I
decided to put away Good Neighbor Barker Breaker and buy something that
is much more quiet and makes almost no noise heard to hums.... an
ultrasonic super bark stop.

To be honest, I became defiant upon hearing that the neighbors were
heard saying amongst themselves that they would report me, and my
thinking was, "let them report me as that will give me a chance to show
the police how these people neglect their dogs and are creating a
nuisance they won't control."

Then, I noticed one day that *someone* had tampered with the new
ultrasonic super bark stop device I set up. I checked out the
evidence and it was obvious that the neighbor used something through
the fence to knock it over. When I saw that he touched my property in
an attempt to damage it, I became pretty upset. I decided that at this
point, I would post a note on the neighbors gate letting him know that
he needs to keep his barking dogs quiet.

I tacked a note on his front gate very late at night. I was polite as
I could be and was not threatening. I was trying to be a peacemaker.
I just let him know that it needs to stop with his dogs. I didn't
even threaten to go to the police or animal control. I tried to offer
an olive branch.

Then I found out that the neighbor reported me to the police for
leaving the note. The thing about it was, even the police did not
find it threatening and wouldn't confront me about it. They advised
the neighbor to "play it cool" and to keep his dogs quiet. I also
found out that the neighbor was trying to make it sound even more
ominous to the police by saying that he believed I would try to poison
all of his dogs.

For a while after I posted the first note, it seemed that the neighbor
was making an effort to take better care of his dogs and keep them
quiet. But I did not know that he had reported me to the police for
leaving that note. I only found out the other day. I had just
thought, "I guess the neighbor took my olive branch..maybe they aren't
so bad"....boy, was I wrong.

As I found out the other day as well, whenever I did yard work after I
had posted the first note, his overly aggressive dogs would of course
agitated and start barking at the sound of the lawnmower or moving
things around in my yard. Then the neighbor was trying to get back at
me by claiming to the police that I was "hurting" his dogs and that's
why they were barking. I wasn't hurting the dogs; they'd bark at
anything that moves.

Eventually, the police called up my house because of his constant
nagging and the officer made reference to how the neighbor said I
better not leave a note again on his property and that to let me know
that if anything happens to any of those dogs, then I would be held
responsible for it. He then said that using products like Super Bark
Stop is illegal..which is nonsense. I didn't speak to the
cop...someone else here at my home did. She said the police officer
who called was very intimidating and threatening saying over and
over..."nothing better not happen to those dogs....if it does, we'll
know exactly who it was"

When I heard about this, I was really ticked off. The person who I
live with here went over to my neighbors' house and had a conversation
with them. When the neighbor was asked to move his dogs over to the
other side of his yard since he knew it was creating a nuisance, the
neighbor responded, "why should I? There's barking dogs all over the
place in this subdivision."

As far as I'm concerned, if the neighbor was really so damned worried
about the welfare of his dogs as he claimed to the cops, why didn't he
move them away?

At this point, I had enough of it. I contacted the police station and
spoke to a dispather but she told me that she really didn't know much
about this as she was working the night shift. The officer who called
my home did so during the day. I told her to make a note that I would
be sending a written complaint (as well as a copy through email) to the
department about the neighbor and his dogs. I also called up on
Saturday night to the police station and complained that the neighbors
dogs were barking incessantly again, and that they would receive a more
detailed written complaint by early this week. It's a really small
town so I know they'll get it and someone will read it.

In my written complaint, I made clear that, in my opinion, the dog
owners neglected their dogs and didn't give them enough attention and
love, and that is the reason why they are nuisance barking like that
day after day, night after night. I also made clear that I would stop
using bark stop, but I added that it can be found at some pet stores
and is not illegal as claimed by the officer. I also requested that
they investigate the neighbor since he is running a kennel off this
property...which is a violation of the rules of the subdivision. He is
also keeping a horse on his lot..another violation. Thought I'd throw
that one in too. I also requested that this neighbor be informed that
if he ever threatens or harasses me or tries to conversate with me, I
will press charges and take him to court. I want nothing to do with
him whatsoever.

So far, it very quiet outside...so quiet that it's eery. It looks
like the cops saw my written complaint about the neighbor and
confronted him. In the last two days, I have not heard a dog bark..not
once.

I'm sure that because I have now sicked the cops on him, that he may
find another way to get back at me and it may escalate even further. I
really hope not because all I want is some peace and quiet.

Out of curiousity, what would be the next best step in dealing with
this situation? Do you think things are so far gone that there will
be nothing but more trouble to look forward to from this neighbor? And
what mistakes have I made so far? It seems that maybe purchasing these
barker breaker products was a mistake and only created more of a
problem.

Well....hard to judge as we aren't in your shoes.
Where I live, our neighbours are great.

I probably wouldn't have bought anything to deter the dogs.
I might have tried the nice letter writing and if that didn't work, I would
have hit them in the pocket books.
Reporting them for their violations.

Your next step is to ignore and carry on with your life.
If he violates any more bylaws, report him.

This makes me realize how fortunate we are to live where we do.
We are invited to the neighbours party in a couple of weeks. They are new to
the area and want to meet us all. They also want a loud party and by
inviting the neighbours...makes it all OK...LOL

Good Luck

--
Carol J
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of BC
www.csrbc.org
wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,

Some months ago I made a post here where I asked for suggestions in
dealing with my inconsiderate neighbor and his barking dogs. As I
mentioned in that post a while back, the neighbor has a 3/4 acre lot
with several large guard dogs. As a matter of fact, I believe that he
is running a dog kennel out off of his property (in violation of the
homeowner rules) because of all the barking I've heard coming from
there. I've counted at least 6 dogs on his property, and that's not
including the other dogs that he has on the other side of his lot that
I can't see. Not only that, but these dogs were very, very aggressive
and vicious. Whenever I'd go outside, these dogs would charge up to
the fence.. growling and barking up a storm. Always and for years
they kept doing that. That really got on my nerves.

The dogs would bark incessantly - especially at night. It seemed to me
that the reason why the dogs were barking like that was because they
were being neglected or not being fed properly. These neighbors were
never particularly friendly throughout the years and were at times
hostile for no reason (they had a hermit mentality) so I saw no reason
to have a conversation with these people. Because I expected nothing
to come of it. I had yelled out a few times, "quiet down your dogs",
which I know that these people heard. I wanted to give them the idea
that they were causing a nuisance, but that didn't seem to get them to
understand how much of a problem they were creating.

For a while it became very frustrating. It was hard to follow what was
happening on the tv (the dogs barking would drown it out) and it
irritated me while playing piano. The person who I live with here
asked me, begged me, not to report the neighbors to the police because
I was told that it would cause more problems. SO I asked for advice on
this group and it was recommended to me to use a product such as "Good
Neighbor Barker Breaker",

Well, I did use this product, but it seemed that this only made
problems worse. Much, much worse. It did quiet the dogs down because
the device would emit a corrective tone for each bark picked up on the
microphone, but it made the neighbors very indignant and angry towards
me. The person who I live with at this place told me that the
neighbors were overheard grumbling about the Good Neighbor Barker
Breaker and were saying that I was trying to hurt their dogs. The
neighbors also mentioned, as overheard by the person I live with, that
they were going to call the police on me. It still did not dawn on
these neighbors that if they only were more considerate of people who
live around them, took care of their dogs right, and kept the barking
at a minimum, there would be no rationale for using a product like Good
Neighbor Barker Breaker. But to appease the one I live with here, I
decided to put away Good Neighbor Barker Breaker and buy something that
is much more quiet and makes almost no noise heard to hums.... an
ultrasonic super bark stop.

To be honest, I became defiant upon hearing that the neighbors were
heard saying amongst themselves that they would report me, and my
thinking was, "let them report me as that will give me a chance to show
the police how these people neglect their dogs and are creating a
nuisance they won't control."

Then, I noticed one day that *someone* had tampered with the new
ultrasonic super bark stop device I set up. I checked out the
evidence and it was obvious that the neighbor used something through
the fence to knock it over. When I saw that he touched my property in
an attempt to damage it, I became pretty upset. I decided that at this
point, I would post a note on the neighbors gate letting him know that
he needs to keep his barking dogs quiet.

I tacked a note on his front gate very late at night. I was polite as
I could be and was not threatening. I was trying to be a peacemaker.
I just let him know that it needs to stop with his dogs. I didn't
even threaten to go to the police or animal control. I tried to offer
an olive branch.

Then I found out that the neighbor reported me to the police for
leaving the note. The thing about it was, even the police did not
find it threatening and wouldn't confront me about it. They advised
the neighbor to "play it cool" and to keep his dogs quiet. I also
found out that the neighbor was trying to make it sound even more
ominous to the police by saying that he believed I would try to poison
all of his dogs.

For a while after I posted the first note, it seemed that the neighbor
was making an effort to take better care of his dogs and keep them
quiet. But I did not know that he had reported me to the police for
leaving that note. I only found out the other day. I had just
thought, "I guess the neighbor took my olive branch..maybe they aren't
so bad"....boy, was I wrong.

As I found out the other day as well, whenever I did yard work after I
had posted the first note, his overly aggressive dogs would of course
agitated and start barking at the sound of the lawnmower or moving
things around in my yard. Then the neighbor was trying to get back at
me by claiming to the police that I was "hurting" his dogs and that's
why they were barking. I wasn't hurting the dogs; they'd bark at
anything that moves.

Eventually, the police called up my house because of his constant
nagging and the officer made reference to how the neighbor said I
better not leave a note again on his property and that to let me know
that if anything happens to any of those dogs, then I would be held
responsible for it. He then said that using products like Super Bark
Stop is illegal..which is nonsense. I didn't speak to the
cop...someone else here at my home did. She said the police officer
who called was very intimidating and threatening saying over and
over..."nothing better not happen to those dogs....if it does, we'll
know exactly who it was"

When I heard about this, I was really ticked off. The person who I
live with here went over to my neighbors' house and had a conversation
with them. When the neighbor was asked to move his dogs over to the
other side of his yard since he knew it was creating a nuisance, the
neighbor responded, "why should I? There's barking dogs all over the
place in this subdivision."

As far as I'm concerned, if the neighbor was really so damned worried
about the welfare of his dogs as he claimed to the cops, why didn't he
move them away?

At this point, I had enough of it. I contacted the police station and
spoke to a dispather but she told me that she really didn't know much
about this as she was working the night shift. The officer who called
my home did so during the day. I told her to make a note that I would
be sending a written complaint (as well as a copy through email) to the
department about the neighbor and his dogs. I also called up on
Saturday night to the police station and complained that the neighbors
dogs were barking incessantly again, and that they would receive a more
detailed written complaint by early this week. It's a really small
town so I know they'll get it and someone will read it.

In my written complaint, I made clear that, in my opinion, the dog
owners neglected their dogs and didn't give them enough attention and
love, and that is the reason why they are nuisance barking like that
day after day, night after night. I also made clear that I would stop
using bark stop, but I added that it can be found at some pet stores
and is not illegal as claimed by the officer. I also requested that
they investigate the neighbor since he is running a kennel off this
property...which is a violation of the rules of the subdivision. He is
also keeping a horse on his lot..another violation. Thought I'd throw
that one in too. I also requested that this neighbor be informed that
if he ever threatens or harasses me or tries to conversate with me, I
will press charges and take him to court. I want nothing to do with
him whatsoever.

So far, it very quiet outside...so quiet that it's eery. It looks
like the cops saw my written complaint about the neighbor and
confronted him. In the last two days, I have not heard a dog bark..not
once.

I'm sure that because I have now sicked the cops on him, that he may
find another way to get back at me and it may escalate even further. I
really hope not because all I want is some peace and quiet.

Out of curiousity, what would be the next best step in dealing with
this situation? Do you think things are so far gone that there will
be nothing but more trouble to look forward to from this neighbor? And
what mistakes have I made so far? It seems that maybe purchasing these
barker breaker products was a mistake and only created more of a
problem.

wrote:

It was hard to follow what was happening
on the tv (the dogs barking would drown it
out) and it irritated me while playing piano.

PERHAPS if you opened your window and played
the dogs some NICE S-HOWENDS they'd RELAXXX
and listen to it?

Indeed, my two dogs love to listen to music. Having melodious calm
music played to them is a sure way to keep them calm and relaxed. I
suspect that they even have some favorite tunes they particularly like,
judging by the way they come from the other room when they hear them.
The cats also come when the dogs are here, but I'm not sure if they do
so for the sake of the music or for the sake of the dogs. :-)

Lucy