BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
It would take a little while, but after a time of observing the activities on the other side of their fence, Neighbors would sheepishly admit their initial misgivings to me. “When I saw the number of Dogs you had I was taken aback/not thrilled/dreading the implications…but I never hear your Dogs, they’re all so Good, so well-behaved.” …And they were! I made sure they were…because I have always believed in the importance of being a Good Neighbor.
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The Be a Good Neighbor Project is all about having consideration for those around you. To be clear, some synonyms for ‘consideration’ are: care, courtesy, concern, kindness, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, selflessness, sensitivity, sympathy, thoughtfulness, and understanding. It is our Responsibility as TwoLeggeds to ensure our Pups uphold these principles of Good Conduct because Dogs are Neighbors too! |
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Only once have the Domesticated Dogs in my care caused Neighborly discontent: I found a note taped to the rental Den’s door alerting me to the fact that Pups were outside barking while I was at work. I took seriously the Neighbor’s promise of next time calling Animal Control and made the necessary changes to our living situation. Although inconvenient for me and the Pups, my efforts put a quick end to the Neighbor’s grumbling.
The Reality of living in a residential area is that everyone is affected by what the Neighbors and the Neighbor’s Dogs do. Next door, across the street, or down the road, there’s no way to escape the annoyances caused by someone else’s incessantly barking, baying, yipping, yelping ‘personal property’. Nuisance barking is most definitely a learned behavior…as in the Dogs learn they can! People (even allegedly ‘Dog-savvy’ ones like Agility Instructors, Breeders, K-9 Search + Rescue, Officers of the Peace, Rescue Group Individuals, and Trainers) need to understand that it is NOT natural for Domesticated Dogs to bark (and certainly not to bark and bark and bark and bark and bark and bark); that contentment or boredom is what guides their behaviors.
Here’s a helpful ditty to sing (to the tune If You’re Happy and You Know It) the next time you hear a lot of barking:
If the Neighbor’s Dogs are barking, clap your hands!
If the Neighbor’s Dogs are barking, clap your hands!
If the Neighbor’s Dogs are barking and you really want to stop ‘em,
If the Neighbor’s Dogs are barking clap your hands! CLAP CLAP!
So what can be done, AlphaMom? Well, here’s what I’m thinking: If talking to your Neighbor will lead to being told to “woof off” and Animal Control Officers haven’t been able to bring resolution to your complaint, perhaps the Be a Good Neighbor Project can help! Contact me and we’ll work together to make your small part of The World a happier, quieter place for everyone. Bow wow doesn’t that sound serenely wonderful?!!!
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