Hi

I don't know how friendly you are with the neighbours, whether they have told you nicely or not, but the first thing I would do is ask for their help!!!

It sounds a bit strange but it lets them know you are dealing with the problem and it also gives them some control over what is happening and therefore less likely to make a formal complaint.

If you can, say that you have taken advice and will be trying out some new things to help the dogs, but in the meantime, would they be able to let you know at what particular times the dogs bark and if they can think of anything that sets them off. is it when you first go, or half an hour in etc. etc. This then gives them some control over the problem and the thought that you are addressing their complaint seriously.

Then think why they would bark, what triggers them when you are at home? In the meantime tackle all angles...

Dogs bark to alert to noises outside, so leave a radio on, fairly loud to help with this, or they may bark because they see someone or something i.e. cats etc., so try and avoid them being able to look out windows, draw the blinds, leave them in the kitchen. Get a box for the post, so the letterbox doesn't clatter. Remove the bell if you get a lot of cold calling.

Dogs will also bark if bored, so make sure your dogs are exercised, not just physically, but mentally too. This means in the mornings before you go to work, take them for a good half hour free run, chasing balls, finding balls or toys in the bushes, obedience etc. etc. When you leave them have three or four stuffed Kongs, a couple of treat balls etc. etc.

Dogs also bark because they miss you, so work on their reliance on you. Try and give less attention generally, get them used to being left in the area you choose, when you are there for five or 10 minutes at a time. Before you leave them, avoid long goodbyes, or build ups, be off hand and actually dismissive of them half an hour before you go. When you go just put the Kongs down and go. If things trigger your departure, ie. keys, shoes being put on, take the time to put these on and off, or pick up and put down during the day to desensitise the dogs. When you return, just walk in, don't make a fuss until they are settled, so they know that you coming and going is no big deal!

When you have done all this. Set the dogs up. Take a morning off work. Do a full run as if you are going to work. Drive off in the car, park around the corner and come back and listen. If you have another car you can sit in, that would be more comfortable and the dogs are less likely to see or hear you. You can then see if it is as bad as it is made out nand what may trigger. Videos and tapes are also good but they won't tell you what influences outside are contributing to the noise.

If you are complained about to the Local Authority (LA), there is a long process to go through before you would have a 'control order' on your dogs, to prevent them barking. Noise nusiance is a very difficult area when it comes to dogs. The LA would have to monitor the noise (they often ask neighbours who have complained to do this too, to see how serious they are about it, very often they don't bother and then the Council won't bother!), The Dog Warden or Enviornmental Health Officer will then sit outside to get evidence, you then get a letter to tell you that it has happened and to take steps to reduce the noise, then if that doesn't work, it may go to court.

Please don't worry about losing your dogs! Even if you got a Noise Abatement Notice (to cease the noise), it doesn't state that you have to get rid of your dogs, only take steps to stop the nuisance. If you didn't and evidence was gained they were still barking, thats when you could be fined.

What is a noise nuisance? well it depends on your area, any prolonged barking at unreasonable hours (this would be usually before 8.00am and after 8.00pm, but ask your dog warden), continuously on and off throughout the day, the occassional 10 minute bark in a day would probably not consitute a nuisance. It may be worth contacting your Environmental Health Dept, you don't need to say who you are, or just give a false name, ask them what the proceedure is. When I was a dog warden I would go out and give advice to owners, so they may have someone who will do this. They won't do anything on your say, only if they get a complaint - frankly they have better things to worry about than dogs barking in the daytime!!

Hopefully you will get to the bottom of it. If you find there is a lot of noise and the steps you take don't work, then get someone in to go through it in more detail.

Hope it goes OK, it is a bit of a faff, but you will at least know the truth!

Kate

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