Man wants neighbor's dog to be quiet
PET OHANA
Hawaiian Humane Society
Question: My neighbor's dog barks nonstop, and we prefer not to report him to the Hawaiian Humane Society for fear the dog will be taken away. Any advice?
Answer: Dogs bark for many reasons, and a little bit of friendly education can often remedy the situation. If Sparky is left home alone during the day or is outside by himself, your neighbor could be completely unaware of his dog's excessive barking. Here are a few tips to consider sharing:
» Dogs that aren't exercised enough often bark to release tension or boredom, so make exercising with your dog part of your daily routine. A list of Oahu's dog-friendly parks and beaches that welcome dogs can be found on the Hawaiian Humane Society Web site (www.HawaiianHumane.org).
» Teach your dog to respond to "No -- quiet" when he begins to bark, and shower him with praise and a treat when he responds well.
» If your dog barks when alone, reconsider where he stays while you are gone. For example, if you're keeping him in a closed room, which can create anxiety, try a room with a see-through pet gate.
More tips can be found on the Humane Society's Web site.
Q: How does the Humane Society respond to barking complaints?
A: The society aims to keep pets and their people together and would never remove dogs from their families because of barking.
A dog owner is in violation of the City and County of Honolulu's animal nuisance law if the dog barks intermittently for 30 minutes or constantly for 10 minutes, to the disturbance of others. Call 946-2187 to file a nuisance complaint.
The society will respond to the initial complaint with a letter to the owner that includes educational materials and measures that the owner can take to alleviate the barking. If barking continues, a Humane Society officer personally follows up with the dog owner to check on progress or to find out if the owner needs further help.
The Hawaiian Humane Society welcomes questions by e-mail,
hhs@hawaiianhumane.org. Indicate "Pet Ohana" in the subject line. Or, write "Pet Ohana," Hawaiian Humane Society, 2700 Waialae Ave., Honolulu 96826.