Dogs are humans’ best friends. They truly are one of our most beloved non-human companions. They provide us with unconditional love, the joy of companionship, and have a huge effect on our well-being and quality of life.
For millennia, dogs have lived side by side with humans and have learned to cohabitate. According to a 2018 survey, there are roughly 89.7 million dogs living as pets in American households. Compare that with the statistic that there are 128 million households in America. So roughly 68% of American households have a pet and more likely a dog.
So, chances are you are living either with a dog or next to someone with a dog. In a perfect puppy world, that sounds lovely. Well, as amazing as dogs are, they come with some cohabitation challenges. For starters, they do have to do their business outside of the house. Also, and this is a big one, dogs like to bark.
So what happens when you live with a rather loud dog? Well if they are your own dogs, you have many options. There are several dog training techniques to address behavioral issues that are causing the dog to bark. You can also change the physical environment of the home – like putting in sound barriers, leaving some soothing music on, or even crate-training your dog to get them to not bark.
Now What Happens if You Live Next to a Loud Dog?
In this increasingly urbanizing world, chances are you will be living closer and closer to your neighbor. This means a barky dog of your neighbor will be living closer to you too.
Imagine a beautiful sunny day, and you are trying to enjoy a nice afternoon barbequing and some pool time with your family or a friend. An incessantly barking dog next door ruins the entire ambiance and mood. It can be quite annoying. What happens if your neighbor is not very good at keeping his dog from barking?
So, how do you fix a problem like a neighbor’s barky dog?
Here are some tips on how to get your neighbor’s dog to stop barking.
Tip 1: Communication. Talk to thy Neighbor
It’s quite an obvious tip. You should always talk to your neighbor about any problem or issue you are having. Chances are he is probably not very aware of how his dog’s barking is disrupting the reasonable enjoyment of his neighbors.
Approach gently and be kind. Show some admiration for dogs so he doesn’t perceive you as someone who has an issue with dogs. Talk to him about his dog. If you heard the dog barking while he was at work, let them know of it.
Be specific with some examples so they don’t feel you are being vague. Don’t sound like you are complaining. Don’t be harsh or accusatory. Just a friendly neighborly talk.
This is a great time to find out if the neighbor is inexperienced at being a dog owner. Perhaps, share some tips on how you got your dog to stop barking. The music idea could be a good one to introduce to them. Any advice that will help reduce barking would be helpful. Carry the conversation based on how they perceive it.
This is a great time to also make friends with the dog. If the dog starts to get to know you, he may not bark as much when he senses your presence.
Needless to say, maintaining a good friendly relationship with your neighbor will increase your quality of life at home. So, keep that goal in mind as you approach this tactic.
Tip 2: Change up the Physical Features of Shared Space
This is not always possible but it is still worth noting. If you see a pattern of behavior that causes the dog then make observations. Is the dog barking when you are insight? Is there a particular area that triggers his barking as you walk by?
Try to change up the physical barriers. Maybe move some planters so the dog doesn’t see you through the corner he does. That could stop the triggers for barking.
Tip 3: Get Help From Bark Control Gadgets
Here is where you can start to get creative with some bark control gadgets. Dog whistles or even the dog whistle app could be an effective tool to create a whistle only dogs can hear. Activate the whistle as soon as the dog starts barking. Stop when he stops. The frequency of the whistle is something that will startle and annoy the dog and he will quickly associate barking with the whistle and he will stop barking whenever he hears the whistle.
There are many such devices that emit sonic sounds that will drive dogs crazy when you use it from your property. So, try the different gadgets and see which one works. Changing up the gadgets also helps with the effectiveness of this technique. The best part is your neighbor will never even know you are doing this – as these whistles are inaudible by human ears.
Tip 4: Official Complaint
If the other tips don’t work, then it is time to make a formal complaint. Perhaps your HOA has some rules about reasonable enjoyment of your property premises that cannot be disrupted by your neighbor. Many city bylaws and regulations also have this rule. Research this and lodge an official complaint.
The complaint can be anonymously lodged and you can let the authorities take action. They will likely send a notice to your neighbor first. Most times, that is enough to get the neighbor to fix the issue – by for example taking the dog to a training class or other techniques
As you can see there is always a course of actions you can take to keep relations with your neighbors amicable and take care of a unique problem like a loud barky dog of the neighbor.
Always practice kindness, civility, and good neighborly behavior. The saying that you will catch more bees with honey than with vinegar is a bit of worthwhile advice in dealing with this complex issue.
Dogs are adaptable to their situations, and humans also can adapt to living with their neighbors. So, follow the tips above and get your neighbor’s dog to stop so you can go back to enjoying that barbeque or that pool relaxing time.
The Dog’s barking can become a problem when it becomes a habit. And no, this is not a good habit. It annoys your neighbors and the visitors you get. Correcting your dog’s behavior becomes a necessity. There are so many other options you can choose from to train your dog’s bark. The dog bark control devices are one of those. You don’t always need to use a dog barking device to train your dog. But these devices do work to control and train your dog to bark less. These devices can have various uses from bark control to repel angry dogs or even controlling your neighbors’ dogs.
Best Anti Barking Device 2020
1. Doggie Don’t – Handheld Dog Repellent, Bark Control Device
Brand
When you are looking to buy stuff online, the first thing to check is the brand. I do not just trust any brand. I look them up, see how many products they are manufacturing. If they have multiple products in the relevant category that I am looking for, then it gains a little bit of my faith.
Doggie Don’t is a well-known brand, but it does not have a variety of products. It is a bit pricey though. It is a popular device. It is proudly patented in the USA. So, I am quite fond of it.
Design & Durability
This manual anti-barking device has a well-built sleek plastic design. It vibrates when working. High durability. It has no color variations.
Specifications
It works well in a range of 25 feet. We failed to find which frequency KHZ it emits. But judging from the overall usage, it is around 35KHZ. The body requires 2 CR2 batteries, which are included. Long-lasting battery life.
Effectiveness
This one is the best dog bark control device for your pet. If the device does not work on your pet, they will immediately refund it. So it is also safe to buy as well.
Pros
- Well made
- Well-known brand
- Long-lasting battery life
- Fast refund
- 80% success rate
- Best battery life
Cons
- No color variation
- Vibrates when working
- Bit expensive
Verdict
It is an excellent product. We would wholeheartedly recommend it. The design could have been better. And they also could have added more color variations. Also, device vibration becomes annoying.
Our overall score for this product is 9.5 out of 10
2. God Crystal Ultrasonic Dog Bark Control
Brand
God Crystal is not exactly a well-renowned brand. They do not have multiple products. But this is the best pick in our list.
Design & Durability
When you are looking to buy dog-repellant devices. Always avoid automatic devices. Because most of those will give you disappointing results. There are only a few automatic devices that work well. And among those is the God Crystal.
This automatic anti-barking device has a semi old school look. This literally looks like a radio. I do like it, though. The best thing about it is that it is waterproof. It has a range adjuster. The hanger on top can be quite handy. LED shows the working status. The plastic body feels pretty durable. It has endured a few falls from 5 feet while testing it.
It is better to use it indoors with level 1 settings. The adjuster knob works as it supposed to. The device works for silencing your neighbors’ dogs as well.
Specifications
We failed to find the frequency anywhere. This requires a 9-volt battery that is excluded from the package.
Effectiveness
The device works like a charm. It supports most dog breeds.
Pros
- Works-well
- Waterproof
- Longest-lasting battery life
Cons
- Bad design
- Human audible sound when working
- No battery included
- No refund
Verdict
This is one of the best automatic dog bark control devices to buy on the market. It lacks a gorgeous design, but it gets the job excellently. We reduced a half-point for the design and the sound. Because not many people will like the old school design and some might find the sound annoying.
Our overall score for this product is 9.5 out of 10.
3. Quenta Ultrasonic Infrared Dog Deterrent, Bark Stopper
Brand
Quenta is not a brand that has a variety of products. And yes, it does matter for a brand to have a range of products because if they do, it means they probably have a research team to develop better products. More products they have, the more responsible they will be. Or maybe release a new version of the original product.
Even though it is a really great product it costs the same as the average products. Quenta is a well-known dog repellant among users.
Design & Durability
It is also a manual anti-barking device. It has a well-built, rugged & abs plastic. Finger bumps give a better grip. Durability is better than other devices. It has no color variations. It also has two little LED lights that can be doubled as a flashlight as well. And individual switches for both as well.
Specifications
Even though it wrote to cover 82 feet. It works well in a range of 35 feet, which is excellent. It emits a frequency of 35KHZ-45KHZ, and it can be considered an above-average range frequency. For that, overuse can be too harsh for the doggo. The body requires a 9-volt alkaline carbon battery. This one has the best battery life so far.
Effectiveness
This one also brings excellent results to control your doggo. It works on other animals as well. It also has outstanding longevity.
Pros
- Higher frequency
- 9 Volt battery
- Long-lasting battery life
- Finger bump design
- 2 LED lights
Cons
- Unknown Brand
- No color variation
- Can be harsh for some dogs
Verdict
It might not have brand value, but it is a great product. Thus, it acquired a spot on my list. It gets the job done excellently. This can be used for healthy and big dogs as well. We would recommend not to overuse it.
Our overall score for this product is 8 out of 10.
4. Modus M-230 – Ultrasonic Dog Bark Deterrent and 2 in 1 Dog Training Aid
Brand
Modus has multiple anti-barking device products. Modus has been making pet products for a long time. And they do have a variety of products. It is not pricey at all.
Design & Durability
Modus M-230 is a manual anti-barking device. It has a well-built, rugged & anti-static design. Due to that, it has better durability. It has three different color variations to choose from, which are Black, Grey & Gold. It also has a nice little led indicator that comes in handy for you to know that the battery has run out. Also, if you do not place the battery correctly, the LED would flash red. That’s a nice feature not much handy, though.
Specifications
It covers a range of 16.4 feet; honestly, that is not much. It emits a frequency of 25KHZ, and it can be considered a mid-range frequency & not too harsh for the doggo. The body requires 4 AAA batteries. Though it depends on how much you use it, the cells do last a bit longer than the other products.
Effectiveness
This product does have quite an excellent efficiency. It is advised not to use for pups of 6 months old. And it also does not work on older dogs.
Modus M-230 has outstanding longevity. Few users have reported us that they have been using it for a year now.
Pros
- Lower price
- Well-known brand
- Works well
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Low range, frequency
- Lower battery life
- Does not work on all types of dog
Verdict
It is a great product. I would definitely recommend it. It does not have many unique features. But it does get the job done. It also has the highest number of buyers. We would recommend not to overuse it. If you do, the doggo gets used to it.
Our overall score for this product is 7.5 out of 10.
5. MODUS Bark Control Device – Ultrasonic Dog Bark Deterrent
M-238 is the latest model of the Modus manual bark control devices. The main difference between the two models is the design. This model has a sleek design, which can be a bit slippery. But I like this design; it gives a modern outlook to it.
M-238 has three different color models to choose from, which are Black, Silver & Gray. Apart from these changes, these are pretty much the same.
I did notice an increase in the range even though it states to have 16.4 feet, but it also worked from 25 feet apart.
The reason why two of the same products of different models landed on my list is that the M-230 model saw tremendous success. And the M-238 did not get enough exposure as it should get for its impressive design. After all, it is an updated version with minor tweaks.
Pros
- Lower price
- Well-known brand
- Works well
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Low range, frequency
- Lower battery life
- Does not work on all types of dog
Our overall score for this product is 7.5 out of 10.
6. Frienda LED Ultrasonic Dog Repeller and Trainer Device 3 in 1
Brand
Frienda is a brand that has tons of products. They are well-renowned and make various products apart from anti-barking devices. This is the cheapest device on our list.
Design & Durability
This manual anti-barking device has a well-built plastic body. But it is not as durable as the other devices from the list. It also has three different color variations. The yellow one looks the best. It also has two cute little LED lights.
Specifications
It emits a frequency of 25KHZ, and It works well in a range of 25 feet. This is below average.
Effectiveness
Due to having a low frequency and low range, it can be considered a weak device. So, it is not recommended for strong and big dogs. Also not recommended to repel attacks. Thus, it also does not support a lot of breeds. But it can get the job done.
Pros
Well-knows brand
9 Volt battery
Long-lasting battery life
Multi-color variation
Cheap price
Cons
Low power
Does not support many dogs
Verdict
This is a very average device. It landed on my list due to being popular.
Our overall score for this product is 7 out of 10.
7. Modus M-237 Automatic Anti Barking Device | Ultrasonic Dog Bark Deterrent
Brand
Another product of Modus has wiggled into our list. And yes, this is a good one as well as their other products. It is a bit pricey.
Design & Durability
This automatic anti-barking device has a sleek design. It comes in three color variations; Gold, Silver & Black. The plastic feels cheap though. And not as durable as the other ones. Like all the devices this one also includes a hanger.
Specifications
The frequency is not mentioned anywhere & it requires a 9-volt battery which is not included. The knob can be adjusted for different ranges. The best thing about it is that it has an on/off switch.
Effectiveness
As for a Modus device, this works efficiently. We had a hard time coming up with its cons.
Pros
Works well
Fast refund
Well-known brand
On/off switch
Cons
It does not support all dogs.
Verdict
After testing the Godcrystal this is the 2nd best automatic device. This is a good trainer. I would recommend to use it as less as possible. Otherwise, the doggo will get used to it.
Our overall score for this product is 7.5 out of 10.
8. Soaring Anti Barking Device, Outdoor Dog Bark Control Control Device
Brand
Soaring is not a well-known brand that has a variety of products. Thus, it lacks my full support.
Design & Durability
It is an automatic anti-barking device. Birdhouse design claims to be weatherproof. So, I thought it is waterproof as well. But no, it is not waterproof. It is just another false marketing. It has a range adjuster. And there is a hanger on top which is instructed not to hang above 5 feet, and this can be a downfall. LED shows the working status and battery life as well.
Specifications
Claims to cover 50 feet. But it works well in a range of 30 feet. It emits a frequency of 35KHZ. This one also requires a 9-volt alkaline carbon battery.
Effectiveness
Works well at first, but then doggo gets used to it quickly. We would recommend using it as little as possible.
Pros
Mid-frequency
9 Volt battery
Beautiful design
LED indicator
Cons
No battery included
No color variation
Worst battery life
Verdict
It’s not the best one out there. But it is also not the worst. It gets the job done adequately. It also turns on automatically for any loud noise.
Our overall score for this product is 7 out of 10.
9. Pet Safe Ultrasonic Automatic Indoor Bark Control
Brand
Pet Safe PBC-1000 is a well-known brand that has a variety of products. But it is an example that just because it is a famous brand does not mean it is the right product. It costs a bit less than the average product.
Design & Durability
This automatic anti-barking device has somehow acquired 2nd best ratings. Sadly, this is not quite the winner product.
So, I thought it is waterproof as well. But no, it is not waterproof. It is just another false marketing scheme. It also has a range adjuster. And a hanger on top but it is instructed not to hang above 5 feet, this can be a downfall. LED shows the working status and battery life as well.
Plastic is thick enough to endure a fall, and the design is not that great, to be honest. There is also no on-off switch, which can be a bit hassle and can even become too sensitive for your pet. You have to take out the battery to switch it off.
Specifications
It emits a frequency of 35KHZ & covers 25 feet of ground. This one also requires a 9-volt battery, and sadly those are not included. There are two settings. The automatic one and the push to play one. None works well enough.
Effectiveness
The device works like a charm at first. It also does not support a lot of dog breeds. The pets get used to it faster than anything else. The battery gets drained faster than any other device.
Pros
- Works well
- Fast refund
- Well-known brand
Cons
- No on/off switch
- Worst battery life
- False marketing
- Does not support all breeds
Verdict
If you want to buy it to control the neighbor’s barking pet, then this is not the device we would recommend.
Our overall score for this product is 6.5 out of 10.
10. Pet Safe Ultrasonic Remote Trainer for Dogs and Cats
Brand
The automatic bark control device was a turndown. This one is way better than the automatic one. Pet Safe does not need another long intro to its brand.
Design & Durability
This manual barking control device has a rugged design. It is compact and lighter than any other device we have tested. It does not have any color variation & the plastic body feels cheap on hand. But it is a durable device as it survived a few falls. It has 2 modes P & N. These stand for positive and negative. Positive emits a pet-friendly tone and the negative emits a stronger tone.
Specifications
The Pupt 100-19 emits a 23KHZ frequency & it requires an RFA-67 6V volt battery. This is a custom battery and it is a really bad feature. Battery sometimes comes included and sometimes it does not. But it will cost you an additional 8$ to buy the batteries from their official website.
Effectiveness
This is better than the automatic one. But it also does not support all types of dogs. And due to having a lower frequency, the dogs get used to it after a while.
Pros
- Works average
- Bad Service
Cons
- It does not support all dogs.
- Worst Battery type
Verdict
No, we do not have anything against the Pet Safe brand. Their products just aren’t that good for us to fully recommend.
Our overall score for this product is 6 out of 10.
Editor’s Choice: Doggie Don’t Device – Handheld Dog Repellent, Bark Control Device and Dog Training Aid
