It's always a crap-shoot when new neighbours move into the neighbourhood or close to your home.

My neighbours have 2 little ankle-biters that bark non-stop when we are in our yard. It drives me absolutely crazy! We have been very patient with our neighbours about this, but they either don't seem to care, or they cannot hear the dogs when they are in their house (which I cannot believe, since all the homes around us can hear their dogs, too). This summer, I will have to take measures to stop this.

I've been thinking about shock collars, but aren't these generally used for large dogs (oh, hell, at this point, I don't care - I'll have them fitted!!) These dogs are so out of control with their barking that it is this, or not allowing the pets out at all (they have a doggie door and unlimited access to outside).

I wouldn't mind if they barked when they saw me/us initially, but it goes on and on and on. One day, I was out all day gardening, and one of the dogs actually lost its voice from barking too much. I have tried getting to know the dogs, taking them for walks (they just stand there with their leashes on and bark at me...), putting them in our yard when we are outside... I am out of ideas and out of patience, and my current plan (turning up the tunes to block out their noise, is creating other problems - not everyone likes my taste in music - R&R FOREVER!!!!)

The couple are really nice people - have been neighbours for quite a while now - but I don't understand why they will not do something about this. I hate it when a situation gets to this stage, because you know, egos are going to be bent out of shape and everyone will begin to take defensive positions. This does not make for a happy neighbourhood.

And I hate the fact that I am the one that keeps having to take the initiative here (I guess I have to because they are directly beside us). It always puts me in the "trouble-maker" category.

(Oh, sorry Sky, just hijacked your site to rant about my own probs...).

Anyway, I'm glad one problem is solved. Let's hope another one doesn't move right back in!

AS