[jgund]

Help! I'm looking for some advice from beagle owners on how to deal with our neighbors beagle who bays constantly.

We live on a bay and our neighbors yard backs onto our backyard. They own 4 dogs. One beagle which was rescued from a humane society and 3 border collies. For someone who lives in the city and in probably a 900 square foot house that's insane. I talked to these neighbors just to meet them when they first moved in and they intend to buy an acreage. It's been a year and a half and they still haven't moved so I think the acreage is a pipe dream. They let this beagle out at 5am, midnight and huge chunks of the day in between. Most of the time the beagle is in the yard alone and he bays non-stop when he's out there. The other 3 are significant barkers too. Everytime I'm in the backyard they bark a ton. I spent a lot of time in our backyard this summer and they never once told their dogs to "be quiet" or try to prevent the barking in any way. They simply don't care. They have a visiting great dane once in a while and he very loudly barked for 20 mins straight and they only brought him back in then. It appears he's baying because he likes it (guess is based on watching the dog's tail when he does it and the fact that it's all the time).

So I think the problem is our neighbors themselves and less the dogs because they refuse to train these dogs. Now I'm sure the biggest suggestion is going to be talk to the neighbors. Which I've considered but if they're not training their dogs I doubt they're going to do anything different even if I complain about it. And if someone does call the cops they may just assume it was me and create more issues. For all I know someone may have tried using by-law enforcement with these neighbors already. Is there anything I can do without their help to try and train this dog not to bay?

I've considered possibly buying one of those bark deterrent bird houses but I'm not convinced that's the answer. My concern with the bark deterrent devices is that it has mixed reviews. Would it work to prevent the excess barking and baying? Also we have a 5ft tall wooden fence separating our yard so that obstacle may cause issues with the bark deterrent bird house as well.

This dog is driving us nuts and they can't be bothered with taking proper care of their dogs! Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[RosCole]

Thats a tough situation. The thing that jumps out at me the most is the times your neighbor is letting the dogs outside. If it were me, that would be the first issue I would bring up with the owner. We have three beagles and none of them (except on a very rare occassion) need to go out in the middle of the night. If the dogs are barkers, 5am is no time to be leaving them outside.

I agree that it is definately the owners, not the dogs. Sounds like they are left alone for way too long.

 

[Pop_Rivit]

I agree that it is definately the owners, not the dogs. Sounds like they are left alone for way too long.

Agreed.

I notice a difference in ours-if they're left alone or not well exercised they are much more noisy and "brattier" than when they get lots of attention and plenty of exercise.

 

[bob_bettysmom]

I'm sorry your experience with beagles has to be an annoying one. If I had to listen to a beagle and his/her baying at 5am I'd go CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!Definately talk to your neighbors cause your probably not the only one complaining about it. You shouldnt have to suffer through this just because your neighbors are lazy and won't do anything about it. Inform your neighbor if this doesn't stop your going to call the police or humane society and have them investigated for animal abuse/neglect. As for training advise to get the beagle to stop baying GOOD LUCK it would be pretty dang hard to train a dog that is not yours, espically if its going to be from over a 5ft fence.

 

[Erin]

I think you'll have a hard time trying to get the dog to stop barking on your own. Some beagles just love to find scents and bay. We very rarely ever let our dogs out before 6am and usually not later than 10 on the week days and 11 on the weekends. And they have to come right back in if they start baying. It's hard sometimes, though, when they find a rabbit scent, they get super excited. But in all honesty, you're probably going to have to speak with your neighbors. If that doesn't work you can call animal control (at least here you can) and they'll give the people a warning. I don't know what they can actually do other than warn, but sometimes just the warning helps. good luck! Keep us posted!

 

[cobismom]

I apologize for their rudeness

I know I don't have to, but beagles do tend to get a bad rap because of their barking...and it's not the dogs fault normally, it's the owners fault for not being attentive about training.

That said, we do have two beagles, and my husband does go to work at 4:30 AM, the boys will go out for a minutes to pee and poo if they have to, but if they bark, it's inside quickly. My husband will stand out there if it is before 7:00 and after 11:00 if they have to go out, for some reason, it's no fun to bark if someone is watching you.

I would attempt to talk to the neighbors. We had one complaint many years ago about our dogs, and we worked it out because the neighbor did come to us, thus my husband standing out there with them. Honestly, they may not be aware that they are bothering you, because you haven't said anything. Ask them if you can have a moment of their time, and then quietly, sincerely, ask how you can work together to solve the problem. It could be as easy as the dogs getting used to you, and then it's no fun barking when you know the person. Or they may have to take the initiative of training them not to bark constatnly.

Good luck to you, it's a tough one.

 

[BeagleWeegle]

I Would say what others here are saying talk to the neigbours, it can't hurt right?

I would also recommend talking to the dogs get to know them, then when they get to know your voice they may quite some.

I too bring in My beagle when he starts up in the yard, I know that I would not like to hear loud beagles bay and barking none stop

it sounds to me like they are the type of parents that want the kids out of their hair and let them run wild and don't attend to them, they even may have a deaf ear to it cause they drown them out, BUT IN THIS CASE we are talking about dogs *same type of thing* if this makes any scense.

Remember it's not the dogs fault remind yourself of this and I truely hope it works out,

 

[Double Trouble]

Poor you - I do sympathise - I would definitely go bananas if I had to listen to a beagle baying for any length of time at ANY time of day! We have two young beagles, one who doesn't actually do the whole baying thing(I have no idea why, he just doesn't). Ruby does bay but only if she is spooked by a strange noise, startled etc. As another member says if she was to bay outside - it's straight back inside. You really should talk again to your neighbours and let them know that you find their indifference to the noise their animals are making, totallly unacceptable to you and that it is spoiling your quality of life.

I love my dogs but take them seriously as MY responsibility - unfortunately some dog owners don't -Good Luck!

 

[jgund]

Thanks for all the help. I was hoping to avoid talking to the neighbours as I'm sure that's an excercise in futility. One of these days I may have to try it though. The best bet may be in trying to get the bylaw laws enforced but I'll use that as a backup plan.

 

[BeagleWeegle]

hmm

 

[araine]

I am very sorry about this. I have a bad temper, and besides telling them off (lol) I would most likely call animal control/or a non emergency police number to complain.

 

[araine]

My mother has even gone to the point of recording it and recording the times as well, so she has visual and audio proof.

 

[eddienzoey]

I can't agree more. Dogs are dogs and they will bark and beagles are beagles and they do love to speak but there are times for this. My Zoey will howl but she knows if she howls when it's dark out that she will be rushed back indoors and be placed alone. Basically its boils down to its not the dog, its the owner. Do speak to the owner, maybe even start out the conversation with compliments over how good their dogs look and your wonderful experiences in the past then slowly ease into the problem. I've never had a complaint just yet, but its always best to grease the wheels before you go full steam.

 

[CrazyBeagleLady]

I have one rescue who was obviously used to hunt ... she bays with her nose on the ground on scent, and even does it when we go for a walk. Beagles are also very good "watch dogs" and can be very territorial. Sounds like your neighbor's dogs could be feeling bored/neglected. Contact your local police department to find out how to get the local noise ordinances enforced, and THEN go talk to the neighbors about their options. Good luck!

 

[boone22]

Hi!

Just wanted to chime in here as owner of a beagle who bays excessively at times...

In defense of many beagle owners, I want to point out that while in some cases excessive baying can be a sign of neglect or boredom, in many cases - like mine - it most certainly is not. My girl gets all the love and attention she could ever want, but if a neighbor across the fence happens to be playing basketball, cooking out - or heaven forbid - talking, then little boone will just howl and howl and howl.

I chalk it up to her being territorial, which we train and train and train her to get over. When she was younger she would decide a particular part of the house, or a particular part of the yard was hers and hers alone, and if we would venture into that area she would get aggressive and bay and just get overly excited and irritated.

We've corrected that behavior for us, but I think we may never be able to correct the behavior when it comes to noises over the fence. Maybe it's because she can't see through it to the source of the noise. Who knows. But the fact is - if a neighbor is outside across the fence and making noise, 9 times out of 10, our girl will get agitated and start baying.

Now, the obvious solution to this is to absolutely refuse to let her do it by bringing her inside the moment it starts. This is what we do. She is never let outside in the yard while we aren't home, and if we hear so much as a peep, she comes right back in.

So - and apologies for the long note - I just want to be clear that just because a beagle bays, it doesn't necessarily mean the owners are neglecting the dog!

As for your particular case, it seems to me the only course of action is to speak to the neighbor personally, be understanding about it, but let them know you would appreciate it if they 1)let their dogs out at reasonable hours, and 2)don't allow them to stay outside if they begin howling. If they don't seem to get it the first time, be more forceful the second time. And if they still don't get it, maybe then a call to animal control is warranted.

Good luck!

 

[rondog]

Our Annie rarely barks or bays, only if she's startled by a strange noise. But Coco likes to "talk" to other dogs that she sees, but only if she sees them. I don't think it's territorial, I think she's inviting them to come play. She doesn't just go out in the yard and raise cane. Our girls have a doggie door, so they have full access to the yard.

 

[CrazyBeagleLady]

Beagles in my neighborhood are exceptionally popular - I think there are about 20 in a 10 block range (I'm not kidding). One couple had a 3-legged boy who was exceptionally lovely, but when they had a baby, they quickly purchased a wire run and dog house and booted the poor dog outside. So he would howl and cry. All of the neighbors and other Beagle owners were just besides themselves over the poor dog. So one lady who has two Beagles already went up and knocked on the door and asked if she could have him. And now that awesome 3-legged Beagle is happily living inside the house with a couch and a pack of his own. No more howling. Don't you just wish that all lonely Beagles could end up like that?

 

[Buddy Beagle]

Buddy barks and bays a lot. If I leave him outside, he will bark and bay at the neighbors or out of boredom constantly, or because he wants to come in. When he's inside, he will bark for food and will bay at many new objects or something that surprises him. Sometimes he'll bay for an hour straight(or longer) at something he doesn't like, like a trash can, tripod, etc. I'm not sure what triggers him to bay at something for a long time, but if it is new to him, that's a factor.

Anyway, it's pretty annoying and I want to put him outside more and be a responsible neighbor, so I recently purchased this:

Amazon.com: Innotek Automatic and Rechargeable No-Bark Collars: Kitchen & Dining

It works, but I don't like putting it on him often, because it makes him yelp, but it does stop the barking. I tried rubbing it on my arm and it is pretty startling. I have tried many other measures and they didn't work.

 

[Buddy Beagle]

Buddy barks and bays a lot. If I leave him outside, he will bark and bay at the neighbors or out of boredom. When he's inside, he will bark for food and will bay at many new objects or something that surprises him. Sometimes he'll bay for an hour straight at something he doesn't like, like a trash can, tripod, etc. I'm not sure what triggers him to bay at something for a long time, but if it is new to him, that's a factor.

Anyway, it's pretty annoying and I want to put him outside more and be a responsible neighbor, so I recently purchased this:

Amazon.com: Innotek Automatic and Rechargeable No-Bark Collars: Kitchen & Dining

It works, but I don't like putting it on him often, because it makes him yelp, but it does stop the barking. I tried rubbing it on my arm and it is pretty startling. I have tried many other measures and they didn't work.

I think he figured out what it does, because he was just baying like crazy at a ceiling fan. I put it on him and he just stopped barking, like he knows what it does. I think it warns them with some noise or something the first time they bark. I don't want to hurt him, but I want to teach him that barking a lot is not nice or necessary.