Well, you've come to the right place. This blog is for everyone who wishes that those dogs would just quiet down for once.
Matter of fact, I'd like to dedicate this post to those canine loudmouths next door. The dual airbags that rousted me out of a sound sleep in the wee hours of this morning. Dear dogs, your sonic sewage was most unwelcome inside my house.
And to the owners of these dogs, how hard would it be to keep them in the house at night? I doubt that opening your back door would take Herculean strength. I'm sure you could do it if you put your mind to it. Then, after you've let the dogs in, we can all get a good night's sleep.
That would be so wonderful.
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. Because my thoughtless dog-owning neighbors have been such an endless source of inspiration, I've created the QuietBarkingDogs store.
It's chock-full of products for the bark-beleagured. So, thanks, neighbors. I
couldn't have done it without you.
Dogs should be in the house at night and they shouldn't be left in the yard when the owner is NOT home, no matter how secure one's fence may be. It is, in my opinion, a very dangerous practice.
ReplyDeleteI own a breed of dog that rates in the #3 category (ratings are from 1 - 10 -least to most offensive barkers) on the barkingdogs.net website. He is in the house 90 percent (or more) of the time. He goes out for leashed walks in the neighborhood, games of fetch in the fenced yard, and of course, to "use the facilities!"
There is one issue I would like to mention, if I may. My dog can go outside and be perfectly quiet, but when my neighbor's indoor/outdoor (mostly outdoor) cat comes into my yard, my dog begins to bark. This stresses me because I know that this neighbor doesn't like barking (he told me my dog wasn't a problem but he was FURIOUS with the two neighbors next to him - he even went to talk to them on several occasions throughout the years.)
Anyway, my point is, to all you kitty cat owners out there - please keep your kitties in your own yards, especially in the morning when the dogs have to "use the potty." Your ten pound cat CAN use a litter pan in your home, but my 70 pound dog can't. We all have to live in this world together and cooperation is the only way it's going to work.
We have, in the past, picked up cat feces, dead birds, mice and squirrels that we found in our yard and that were deposited by your cat, probably during the night. We have done this without complaining to you so as to keep the peace, but it isn't fair that my dog can't use his own yard to relieve himself in the morning because your cat is on his way over (again) or already here (in the unfenced portion, of course) which causes me stress that my dog is going to bark. I don't think it fair that I have to call him inside before he has "finished" because your cat is on my property. Thank you.
You make an excellent point, Anonymous.
DeleteAnd did you know that when it comes to predation of native bird species, domestic cats are especially destructive? They simply don't belong in the outdoor environment.
I agree, Quiet. I love dogs and cats, but I see a lot of things that pet owners do that just ruins the quality of life for the rest of us.
DeleteObviously, the excessive barking in the wee hours of the night, which this blog is based upon, but also the refusal to clean up after the animal and the refusal to keep it contained to one's own premises are all irresponsible acts in which pet owners engage, and which destroy the quality of life for those who have to live with it.
Where I live, right now, there is a situation where a neighbor has a scarred up, rescued, ex-fighting pit bull, which she refuses to keep on a leash when it is in her front (unfenced) yard when she is out with it because it is "so obedient," and "listens so well," that she feels she can call it away if it should rush out at another passing dog! She told me the dog is dog aggressive. She told me the dog went after another dog that was being walked by its owner on leash, and I know that it has bloodied the dog next door through the backyard fence! And yet, there it was yesterday, in all its glory, unleashed on the front lawn!
Because of this neighbor, I can only take my dog for walks in the early morning before the rest of the world (and she) wakes up!
Another pet peeve of mine (besides the free roaming cats and dogs, of course,) is the dog owners who steadfastly refuse to pick up what their dogs put down. I am so fastidious about cleaning up after mine, but when I walk the neighborhood, there it is, gross and disgusting, all over the pavement for all of us to step in or roll our cars over!
Am I the only person who carries plastic bags when I take my dog out? What makes people think it's okay to leave crap in front of someone else's house? It is a big tip off when I see the same people walking the same dogs, but NEVER do I see a bag of poop in their hands! I always have a bag of poop in my hands when I walk the dog. Is my dog the ONLY dog that defecates?
Oh well, I don't know if you'll publish this or not, but I do appreciate the opportunity to vent and to "get it all out!" Thanks.
Hey, Anonymous! I agree with you on the ex-fighting pit bull situation. I'd be concerned too. Here's my suggestion:
ReplyDeleteWrite this neighbor a letter and send it certified mail, return receipt requested. This costs more than just sticking a stamp on the letter, but it notifies you that the letter was actually received.
The purpose of your letter is to inform the neighbor about her risk of legal liability. Mention that many property insurers will not cover a home with pit bulls. Or, if they do, they charge very high rates. In addition, failure to declare such a dog could be regarded as insurance fraud.
If you don't feel comfortable writing this letter, consult with a personal injury lawyer. Almost all of them have had experience in trying pit bull cases. Having an attorney write a letter on your behalf might work very well in your case.
For additional information, see:
http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-victim-guide.php
Thank you.
DeleteYou're quite welcome, Anonymous. Here are two more resources that could be helpful to you:
Delete1. Dangerous dogs - http://www.dogsbite.org/dangerous-dogs.php
2. Dog Bite Law - http://dogbitelaw.com/
Good News! Yesterday I saw the neighbor with the pit bull on her unfenced front lawn and the dog was on a.......LEASH!!!!! And, she was holding the other end of that leash. HOORAY!!
DeleteI think something must have happened or somebody must have said something, but I couldn't be happier.
That is indeed good news, Anonymous. I sure hope that the pit bull owner has a sturdy leash and that she is strong enough to hold on to the dog.
ReplyDeleteKeep us posted, okay?
Okay.
Delete