How to Handle a Barking Dog in Your HOA
We get it: your dog is your best friend. However, there is a good chance he or she is missing you while you are gone for work. You receive letters from your homeowner's association manager about your dog barking while you're out at work. If this describes your situation, you may have that "dog next door." Condominium Associates provides tips and tricks on how to tame a barking dog in your HOA.
Why Do Some Dogs Bark All Day?
Dogs left alone all day (or night!) get bored and restless. Many breeds of pups find relief in barking. Some respond noisily to any activity. But, nothing is as annoying as incessant barking — even for dog lovers. Please consider some of these fixes for a barking dog to keep the noise down in your area. Your neighbors will thank you!
Train Your Pooch
The first recommendation—and the best option for any behavioral problem—is to train your dog. Training not only helps your dog, but you'll also be surprised how much it helps you too. You may get some insight into why your dog barks so much or what it is trying to communicate.
Citronella Collars
A citronella collar is a humane alternative to the electric shock, anti-barking collar, and the same. Citronella collars are available for purchase off the web and in pet stores.
Confinement
Sometimes simply bringing an outspoken dog indoors or confining an indoor dog to a crate can drastically reduce a dog from barking.
Reduce Stimuli
Consider closing the drapes to help muffle street noise. You could also turn a radio on to reduce the noise. Disconnect telephones and doorbells before leaving your home if they upset your dog or make it bark.
Companionship
Because dogs are pack animals, they need companionship: a cat, a bird, or another dog makes for a great doggie companion. You could also consider a mid-day visit from a pet-sitting service or drop your pup off at a friend's place or a day-care facility once or twice a week. You could also see if your neighbor could keep an eye on your pop once in a while.
Contact Us
Condominium Associates is here to help board members in Southwest Florida. We provide one of the most comprehensive HOA resources. Contact us to learn more about our properties and how we can help you and your community thrive! Call today!