Problem dog behaviour from neighbours

[Patrick666]

I really hope someone can offer some help and advice...

My neighbour has dogs: two huskies and a boxer. When they leave the house the dogs bark at first, then howl. The walls of our houses are thin and the noise travels far, and can occur at unsociable times. Its driving me mad.

I have spoken to them but they say they have tried all sorts from training to leaving the radio on etc but nothing works.

I have seen dog 'Bark free' and 'Bark Buster' that emit a sonic noise when they pick up a dog bark sound. This apparently works by distracting the dog and interrupts the barking. The noise is inaudible to humans.

Does anyone have experience of using these rather than the collars?
Would the ultrasonic sound penetrate through the connecting walls of our semi-detached houses and still be effective?

I dont think the neighbours would agree to use the collars on the dogs.

Thanks

[Zoes_mama]

Oh jeez...I live in a semi-detached too, and my dog, Zoe always barks and howls whenever I leave the house. Only when there's no one else home with her though. I don't think she does it for long but our neighbours have a newborn and I have never even thought about it till now. I have been trying some things to get her to stop but none of it works. I would never even consider the bark collar so I'd imagine neither would your neighbours. I have never heard of the thing you mentioned but maybe run it by them and see what they think. It's definitely not as drastic as the collar. I even know some ppl who have gone as far as to de-bark their poor dogs.

[Becky]

Maybe you could discuss with them the possibility of leaving stuffed, frozen kongs around their house to keep the dogs busy.

The kongs can be stuff with bits of raw/cooked meat, peanut butter, plain yogurt, and/or kibble and something like carrots. These could occupy the dogs for quite a while if done correctly. I don't have any experience with Buster Cubes, but you might also recommend them.

The dogs are probably howling and barking because they are bored. Kongs and Buster Cubes are designed to mentally stimulate the dog, (something huskies DESPERATELY need).

Giving the dogs more exercise before they leave might also help.

[lassie]

are the dogs left for long periods at a time?