Barking doggy, please help - also in NL

[Amaretto]

My border collie Dylan has started barking at night, if he hears somebody outside, a cat meows or the little yorkie behind my house yaps - sometimes late at night, waking me up.

Not too bothered about me as I accept that he's protecting his territory and barking is what dogs do. But, I am having trouble placating my neighbour, who has a 6 month old baby girl who he has disturbed a few times. Neighbour has got really angry and been quite aggressive about me 'sorting him out'. She is a single Mum, and I appreciate that it's hard for her, but I don't know what to do to sort the problem. Her baby has woken me on numerous occasions, and I've accepted it, as babies cry and I'm trying not to throw this back at her, but it's tempting when she's swearing at me! She's complained to all the neighbours too :-( Any tips on how to stop Dylan barking??? Help please, don't want to feel uncomfortable in my own home :-(

 

[merlinsquest]

Try leaving a radio on at night so that any other outside noise is less obvious to the dog.

Also make sure he has no access to a window or patio door so that he cant see anything either.

If all else fails you could try a crate with a blanket over the top so he cant see anything and maybe will feel he has not got the job of guarding.

Also you could try one of the sonic anti barking things... they sell them in wilkinsons (although they do say not for inside).... might work?? didnt for Zak though, he just barked at the sonic thing instead

 

[CorvusCorax]

Agree about the dog sonic device, if he is an 'only' dog, or you could also look into a spray collar.
Could he be crated at night? Some dogs feel more secure if they have their 'own' space like a kennel or crate.

With ours, who live outside, last summer they were still very unsettled and were waking us up every few hours.
Every time they barked, I was up and out at the door, saying 'NO!' in a very loud voice. That was gradually phased to me sharply rapping the window - any sharp, loud noise will do. Now maybe we have two or three barks once a week, nothing more, unless they are disturbed by something major.

Another factor was exercise. After any particularly bad night, it was 'right, you'll be too tired to do THAT tonight' and I would walk the legs off them the next day.

We live in the middle of nowhere, but with a house dog it could be replicated if you would be willing to spend a few sleepless nights getting up and reprimanding him by voice each night. If that is not an option, then like I say, up exercise or try a spray or buzz collar or a sonic device.

 

[Louby]

Havent got any advice Im afraid to help you stop him barking but just wanted to add I had a few comments about our dog from our neighbour as he howled when left alone. This is a neighbour who has a barking/howling dog that barks at anything that walks past the house. I didnt want to play tick for tat either and have never said anything about there dog which they believe is an angel when left. I bit my lip for so long and then in the pub one night told them nicely just what there dog was like, after them saying something about my dog again. They were shocked and havent said anything since. Saying that and touching wood, our dog has been quiet for ages now (we saddos started to tape him, just to see how bad he was!)
I would appologise next time and nicely mention how the baby keeps you up too! It took me months to say anything and I did feel terrible at the time but am glad now I did say something.
I tried the cheap sonic device and it didnt work for us Im afraid.