Barking dogs create nuisance

A barking dog next door or down the street is a neighborhood sound most folks can do without.

Those who have to contend with a neighbor who refuses to acknowledge that the family pet is a nuisance barker might wonder what recourse they have apart from earplugs. It is a situation that can strain people to the breaking point, ruining neighborly relations and putting the dog at risk.

"Behind every barking dog is no one asking it to be quiet," said Cathy Warner, owner of Central Bark in Sisters, a doggy day-care and boarding facility.

Her observation of the groups of dogs she cares for is that exercise and someone close by are key to keeping dogs quiet during the day.

Dog trainer Jean Nolander, who teaches pet manners classes in Sisters, agrees.

"Dogs bark from fear, boredom or to alert," she said.

Most chronic barkers are bored, and a look at the breed of dog that is causing the problem might give a clue.

In Nolander's experience, dogs whose instinct is to be at work during the day bark when left alone in a pen or tied up. Herding dogs, Corgies, Aussie shepherds and mixes containing those breeds are bred to be busy and purposeful. All dogs benefit mentally and physically from daily exercise, she said. Some owners teach their dogs to run on a treadmill.

Neighbors of bored barkers can call Animal Control. A citation is issued if the dog barks continuously in the presence of the animal control officers. An alternative is for the complaining neighbor to sign the citation. There are hefty fines starting at $240, which increase with each subsequent citation. Sgt. Dan Bilyeu, Patrol Sergeant at the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, said that owners could eventually be forced to relinquish their dogs if they accumulate a series of citations.

It is also possible for a neighbor to subpoena others to testify against the offending owner, in hopes of forcing a change. "Most times, owners will take measures to fix the problem rather than lose their dog," said Sgt. Bilyeu.

Jamie Kanski, executive director of the Humane Society of Redmond, said the shelter doesn't receive many court-ordered releases for nuisance dogs.

If the situation hasn't deteriorated to the extent of citations or subpoenas, and the neighbors are still speaking to the owner of the nuisance barker, there are a few solutions to propose.

Some dog owners don't seem to notice that their dogs bark continuously, said Nolander. It becomes a sort of white noise that they are able to tune out. They may not be aware that the noise is unbearable to the neighbors.

If the owner is open to suggestions, Nolander and Kanski both advocate the use of training collars that emit a citronella spray when the dog begins to bark. The scent is offensive to dogs and acts as a deterrent.

Some training collars emit a high-pitched sound that is uncomfortable to the dog's ears; shock collars are another alternative, though not one that was recommended by any of the experts contacted by The Nugget.

In extreme cases, a surgical debarking procedure may be warranted. This should be done by a licensed veterinarian.

Neighbors don't have to be subjected to continual barking from the dog down the road. There are solutions that take effort from all sides, but a peaceful day is worth it.