Dear Lola,

My neighbor has a dog that barks all day long. They are new neighbors and the dog looks to be older than a puppy but not an old dog. I was trying to be patient, seeing as how I have dogs and understand that he may need time to adjust to his new living situation – but I find myself at the end of my proverbial rope. Every time I walk into my garden, the dog barks at me. We have a privacy fence, but he hears me moving and barks until I return back inside. He never barks at my dogs when they go out to do their business. Please help me.

Sincerely,
Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Dear Lola

Dear Barking Up the Wrong Tree,

You are certainly facing a major dilemma. You did not indicate whether or not the dog’s owner is attempting to calm his/her own dog down, but I’m assuming they are not or else you would not have written in to me. I applaud your restraint in not yelling at an innocent canine for his owner’s poor behavior.

You should reward yourself with a tasty treat, or three!

Speaking of tasty treats, I think that is your best solution. The barking dog is unbothered by your own canines, which means he is not typically an excessive noise machine. I knew one of those in my old house, it was unfortunate for all of us within hearing distance. This means that the dog is bothered by you specifically.

It’s time to make fur friends using bribery – it works 100% of the time.

First, ask the dog owner if his baby can have treats. Then, introduce yourself to the dog formally. Learn his name and hand him a treat. Give him a little bit of a belly rub, those reduce my species to mere puddles at human feet. Then, just when he’s deciding whether you are friend or foe, toss a few more treats his way.

Continue giving treats each and every time you go out into your garden, your new best friend will appreciate all the love – plus his mouth will be too full for barking.

♥Lola♥

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36 replies on “Dear Lola – Barking up the wrong tree…”

  9. I do find myself getting annoyed at our neighbours too – more than the dog, who’s constantly barking. I don’t know if they’re just leaving him alone or what…I must get to the bottom of this #DreamTeam

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  14. My neighbours have a little dog who barks at us sometimes but he really is just a teeny puppy and he is so ridiculously cute that I cannot get annoyed with him. To be honest even if he was trying to chew my ankle off I would probably still try to reach past his sharp little knashers to pat his baby head. But he would never do that because he is a little cutie!! I’ll take it on board though #DreamTeam

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  21. There is a dog on the corner house near my parents and it barks at people all the time. I will definitely reward myself with a sweet treat (and an extra one for dealing with my parents!) #dreamteam

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  23. Oh no!? This sounds like Alfie – who is undoubtedly a barking machine. No matter what we try, he won’t stop talking. Though, the neighbours were quite relieved when burglars skipped our few houses for fear of unleashing the barking maniac- obviously a good move tehehe! Thanks for being a brilliant #dreamteam host xx

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  24. I’m afraid it’s my dogs that bark at the little girls next door! The girls squeal and make all sorts of noises my dogs aren’t used to yet. It’s so embarrassing and I call them in for a treat. Now, I’m worried I’ve trained them to bark at the infants just for the treat!! xx Maria

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