Buying a flat with two yappy dogs

onwards&upwards

beanie414 said:

onwards&upwards said:

beanie414 said:

Chilli6 said:

Overall it sounds like your dogs don't bark excessively from your description. 
I'm a dog trainer and it is normal for dogs to bark!  Some dogs are more prone to excessive barking due to breed type, character, anxiety levels. Many small breeds (including mine) have higher anxiety/frustration levels combined with breed traits meaning they were bred to be more vocal.
Steer clear from 'celebrity trainers' - to look good on TV is very different to being able to give good behavioural advice in the real world. I know a couple of great trainers who managed to get some air time but know many more who aren't great at all.
This isn't a dog forum so I'll stop the advice there, but to sum up my opinion, if you are home all day and they have everything they need (food, quality rest, exercise, opportunity to play) then excessive barking won't be seen and a few barks in the garden or at sudden sounds is completely normal and your average person will tolerate

Oh, that is interesting. Yes, I have noticed it is the smaller breeds that tend to be yappy. That is good that you wouldn't think it was excessive.

Smaller breeds aren't necessarily 'programmed' or predisposed to bark more, sadly I think its more the case that the owners of small dogs are less likely to train them properly, because the consequences are less serious due to their size.  That's why so many small dogs are allowed to pull on the lead and jump up at people.  

(I say this as someone who has small rescue dogs, so please don't take it the wrong way!  But the mindset that its just what they do isn't helpful to you!  That said, I really can't tell if the barking is actually excessive, you describe them as yappy and are concerned about it, but then you are home all day and say they don't actually bark much or for long, so I'm a bit confused I confess!)

I suppose I see them as yappy, but I don't have anything to compare them too. I have been monitoring them today to see how often they bark and they haven't barked once yet and it's almost 1 now. My neighbours have all been very quiet today though and we haven't had a cat jump into the garden or anything.

Maybe I'm overreacting as I'm nervous about the difference in living in a flat compared to a house.

I was really hoping someone on here who lives in a flat with dogs said it is possible. People must live in flats with dogs. 

I used to live in a flat with dogs.  A house is better.  Much much better.  And that's not anything to do with noise, my dogs back then were very well behaved and quiet and there were never any complaints or issues. 

beanie414

onwards&upwards said:

beanie414 said:

onwards&upwards said:

beanie414 said:

Chilli6 said:

Overall it sounds like your dogs don't bark excessively from your description. 
I'm a dog trainer and it is normal for dogs to bark!  Some dogs are more prone to excessive barking due to breed type, character, anxiety levels. Many small breeds (including mine) have higher anxiety/frustration levels combined with breed traits meaning they were bred to be more vocal.
Steer clear from 'celebrity trainers' - to look good on TV is very different to being able to give good behavioural advice in the real world. I know a couple of great trainers who managed to get some air time but know many more who aren't great at all.
This isn't a dog forum so I'll stop the advice there, but to sum up my opinion, if you are home all day and they have everything they need (food, quality rest, exercise, opportunity to play) then excessive barking won't be seen and a few barks in the garden or at sudden sounds is completely normal and your average person will tolerate

Oh, that is interesting. Yes, I have noticed it is the smaller breeds that tend to be yappy. That is good that you wouldn't think it was excessive.

Smaller breeds aren't necessarily 'programmed' or predisposed to bark more, sadly I think its more the case that the owners of small dogs are less likely to train them properly, because the consequences are less serious due to their size.  That's why so many small dogs are allowed to pull on the lead and jump up at people.  

(I say this as someone who has small rescue dogs, so please don't take it the wrong way!  But the mindset that its just what they do isn't helpful to you!  That said, I really can't tell if the barking is actually excessive, you describe them as yappy and are concerned about it, but then you are home all day and say they don't actually bark much or for long, so I'm a bit confused I confess!)

I suppose I see them as yappy, but I don't have anything to compare them too. I have been monitoring them today to see how often they bark and they haven't barked once yet and it's almost 1 now. My neighbours have all been very quiet today though and we haven't had a cat jump into the garden or anything.

Maybe I'm overreacting as I'm nervous about the difference in living in a flat compared to a house.

I was really hoping someone on here who lives in a flat with dogs said it is possible. People must live in flats with dogs. 

I used to live in a flat with dogs.  A house is better.  Much much better.  And that's not anything to do with noise, my dogs back then were very well behaved and quiet and there were never any complaints or issues. 

Yes, I think this discussion has soured me on the idea of a flat!

A house comes with much less niggles in our situation. We might just have to stretch our budget when we move or move further from a station.

elsien

MalMonroe said:

Mojisola said:

beanie414 said:

This is what worries me. They are both rescues and have had training which didn't work. They are little dogs but one has a very loud bark.
Ah, maybe we should go for a house and just annoy our neighbours and they can't do anything about it, haha.

Perhaps you need to try different training methods.

If you want to be happy in your new house, don't underestimate the effect of the barking on your neighbours - if they are so inclined, they could make your life miserable in retaliation for having to listen to your dogs barking a lot.

Are you sure that they don't bark a lot when they are in the house and you aren't there?

I agree.

Have you ever seen Graham Hall on TV training dogs?? Have you tried clickers?  Another great trick is to blow a loud whistle when they start barking, stop when they stop and then pet them and give them a treat. Worked wonders with my friend's rescue dog and took less than half a day for him to get the message. They've had no trouble since. 

Sometimes when you have two dogs, they can encourage each other to bark when they don't even know why they are doing it - but the whistle (which dogs don't like) really works. I love dogs but neighbours' yappy dogs? No.

Please don't go round blowing loud whistles every time your dogs yap.
Aside from potentially winding the dog up even more, I can't think of much worse than the neighbours blowing a whistle in the garden at stupid o'clock when I'm already annoyed by the yapping.

Davesnave

onwards&upwards said:

beanie414 said:

onwards&upwards said:

beanie414 said:

Chilli6 said:

Overall it sounds like your dogs don't bark excessively from your description. 
I'm a dog trainer and it is normal for dogs to bark!  Some dogs are more prone to excessive barking due to breed type, character, anxiety levels. Many small breeds (including mine) have higher anxiety/frustration levels combined with breed traits meaning they were bred to be more vocal.
Steer clear from 'celebrity trainers' - to look good on TV is very different to being able to give good behavioural advice in the real world. I know a couple of great trainers who managed to get some air time but know many more who aren't great at all.
This isn't a dog forum so I'll stop the advice there, but to sum up my opinion, if you are home all day and they have everything they need (food, quality rest, exercise, opportunity to play) then excessive barking won't be seen and a few barks in the garden or at sudden sounds is completely normal and your average person will tolerate

Oh, that is interesting. Yes, I have noticed it is the smaller breeds that tend to be yappy. That is good that you wouldn't think it was excessive.

Smaller breeds aren't necessarily 'programmed' or predisposed to bark more, sadly I think its more the case that the owners of small dogs are less likely to train them properly, because the consequences are less serious due to their size.  That's why so many small dogs are allowed to pull on the lead and jump up at people.  

(I say this as someone who has small rescue dogs, so please don't take it the wrong way!  But the mindset that its just what they do isn't helpful to you!  That said, I really can't tell if the barking is actually excessive, you describe them as yappy and are concerned about it, but then you are home all day and say they don't actually bark much or for long, so I'm a bit confused I confess!)

I suppose I see them as yappy, but I don't have anything to compare them too. I have been monitoring them today to see how often they bark and they haven't barked once yet and it's almost 1 now. My neighbours have all been very quiet today though and we haven't had a cat jump into the garden or anything.

Maybe I'm overreacting as I'm nervous about the difference in living in a flat compared to a house.

I was really hoping someone on here who lives in a flat with dogs said it is possible. People must live in flats with dogs. 

I used to live in a flat with dogs.  A house is better.  Much much better.  And that's not anything to do with noise....

Even the quietest dog has feet and claws, so the noise of one above on laminate or lino could become wearing.

I know many flats have stipulations that such floor coverings shouldn't be fitted, but we get regular posts here where owners have them and the freeholder does nothing about it.

onwards&upwards

Davesnave said:

onwards&upwards said:

beanie414 said:

onwards&upwards said:

beanie414 said:

Chilli6 said:

Overall it sounds like your dogs don't bark excessively from your description. 
I'm a dog trainer and it is normal for dogs to bark!  Some dogs are more prone to excessive barking due to breed type, character, anxiety levels. Many small breeds (including mine) have higher anxiety/frustration levels combined with breed traits meaning they were bred to be more vocal.
Steer clear from 'celebrity trainers' - to look good on TV is very different to being able to give good behavioural advice in the real world. I know a couple of great trainers who managed to get some air time but know many more who aren't great at all.
This isn't a dog forum so I'll stop the advice there, but to sum up my opinion, if you are home all day and they have everything they need (food, quality rest, exercise, opportunity to play) then excessive barking won't be seen and a few barks in the garden or at sudden sounds is completely normal and your average person will tolerate

Oh, that is interesting. Yes, I have noticed it is the smaller breeds that tend to be yappy. That is good that you wouldn't think it was excessive.

Smaller breeds aren't necessarily 'programmed' or predisposed to bark more, sadly I think its more the case that the owners of small dogs are less likely to train them properly, because the consequences are less serious due to their size.  That's why so many small dogs are allowed to pull on the lead and jump up at people.  

(I say this as someone who has small rescue dogs, so please don't take it the wrong way!  But the mindset that its just what they do isn't helpful to you!  That said, I really can't tell if the barking is actually excessive, you describe them as yappy and are concerned about it, but then you are home all day and say they don't actually bark much or for long, so I'm a bit confused I confess!)

I suppose I see them as yappy, but I don't have anything to compare them too. I have been monitoring them today to see how often they bark and they haven't barked once yet and it's almost 1 now. My neighbours have all been very quiet today though and we haven't had a cat jump into the garden or anything.

Maybe I'm overreacting as I'm nervous about the difference in living in a flat compared to a house.

I was really hoping someone on here who lives in a flat with dogs said it is possible. People must live in flats with dogs. 

I used to live in a flat with dogs.  A house is better.  Much much better.  And that's not anything to do with noise....

Even the quietest dog has feet and claws, so the noise of one above on laminate or lino could become wearing.

I know many flats have stipulations that such floor coverings shouldn't be fitted, but we get regular posts here where owners have them and the freeholder does nothing about it.

That's very easily solved with rugs or carpet.  

The issues were practical.  Having to go up and down stairs every time the dogs needed out, rain or shine or snow, even if I had flu or a migraine, and sometimes in a serious hurry if the dog was unwell!  No outdoor space to play fetch or for the dog to mooch around and sniff.  Having to deal with muddy paws before coming into the communal areas etc. 

Scotbot

beanie414 said:

onwards&upwards said:

beanie414 said:

Chilli6 said:

Overall it sounds like your dogs don't bark excessively from your description. 
I'm a dog trainer and it is normal for dogs to bark!  Some dogs are more prone to excessive barking due to breed type, character, anxiety levels. Many small breeds (including mine) have higher anxiety/frustration levels combined with breed traits meaning they were bred to be more vocal.
Steer clear from 'celebrity trainers' - to look good on TV is very different to being able to give good behavioural advice in the real world. I know a couple of great trainers who managed to get some air time but know many more who aren't great at all.
This isn't a dog forum so I'll stop the advice there, but to sum up my opinion, if you are home all day and they have everything they need (food, quality rest, exercise, opportunity to play) then excessive barking won't be seen and a few barks in the garden or at sudden sounds is completely normal and your average person will tolerate

Oh, that is interesting. Yes, I have noticed it is the smaller breeds that tend to be yappy. That is good that you wouldn't think it was excessive.

Smaller breeds aren't necessarily 'programmed' or predisposed to bark more, sadly I think its more the case that the owners of small dogs are less likely to train them properly, because the consequences are less serious due to their size.  That's why so many small dogs are allowed to pull on the lead and jump up at people.  

(I say this as someone who has small rescue dogs, so please don't take it the wrong way!  But the mindset that its just what they do isn't helpful to you!  That said, I really can't tell if the barking is actually excessive, you describe them as yappy and are concerned about it, but then you are home all day and say they don't actually bark much or for long, so I'm a bit confused I confess!)

Maybe I'm overreacting as I'm nervous about the difference in living in a flat compared to a house.

I was really hoping someone on here who lives in a flat with dogs said it is possible. People must live in flats with dogs. 

Sadly I don't think many people do because so many leases prohibit it. Even when pets are permitted there are often restrictions on numbers. Frequently only 1 dog allowed, plus there are often caveats thsst if neighbours complain the dog has to go. As a dog owner I woujldc never buy a property with any form of restrictions on pets

sheramber

Rather than letting  them  out take  them out.  Then you can control  the barking. Does one wind the other one up? Then take them out separately.  Eventually they will lose the habit of barking. 
 
You need to work out why they are barking and work on preventing them  barking.

elsien

I've lived in a flat with a dog and no garden very successfully. 
The proviso being it was a flat over an associated business in a detached property so no other residents and no leaseholder to worry about.  
And my dog didn't bark. 

Scotbot

elsien said:

MalMonroe said:

Mojisola said:

beanie414 said:

This is what worries me. They are both rescues and have had training which didn't work. They are little dogs but one has a very loud bark.
Ah, maybe we should go for a house and just annoy our neighbours and they can't do anything about it, haha.

Perhaps you need to try different training methods.

If you want to be happy in your new house, don't underestimate the effect of the barking on your neighbours - if they are so inclined, they could make your life miserable in retaliation for having to listen to your dogs barking a lot.

Are you sure that they don't bark a lot when they are in the house and you aren't there?

I agree.

Have you ever seen Graham Hall on TV training dogs?? Have you tried clickers?  Another great trick is to blow a loud whistle when they start barking, stop when they stop and then pet them and give them a treat. Worked wonders with my friend's rescue dog and took less than half a day for him to get the message. They've had no trouble since. 

Sometimes when you have two dogs, they can encourage each other to bark when they don't even know why they are doing it - but the whistle (which dogs don't like) really works. I love dogs but neighbours' yappy dogs? No.

Please don't go round blowing loud whistles every time your dogs yap.
Aside from potentially winding the dog up even more, I can't think of much worse than the neighbours blowing a whistle in the garden at stupid o'clock when I'm already annoyed by the yapping.

I can. Being woken up at 3 am by a dog barking frantically in the back garden at a fox. And it was my s0dding dog!