Comments on: Dog Product Review: PetSafe’s Ultrasonic Bark Busting Bird House

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:22:19 +0000

I have a poodle mix who likes to sit on the ledge of our underground garage and watch the world go by. Many in the neighborhood have expressed pleasure at seeing this little “lion king” emissary. We re-homed a standard poodle and the barking at that ledge has become more incessant with big box trucks and school buses the primary offenders. The gentlemen neighbors across the street approached me and we worked out an agreement. I try to keep good tabs on them when they are outside but, if for some reason, they become too loud for them, they are to call me and I will remedy the situation right away. This has happened once. Other times, I have caught it and taken care of the issue. Now, the neighbors, in spite of our agreement, have taken to yelling like maniacs everytime the dogs bark - everytime. This is not only ineffective it breeds resentment. I am considering one of these bird houses but equivocate. Why not continue to talk with me? (I have always, always prooffered friendly neighborhood relations - a home is a sanctuary and everyone is entitled to it.) These same neighbors have now complained about the labrador next door and that would be quite a ways a way since we are on heavily wooded three acre lots. I think neighborhood relationships are challenging - I am actually worried that these offending neighbors (at least to me) are not feeling well. I have let this stick in my craw for over a week and I think it is time I knock on their door and find out how they are doing. Communication is key, friendliness is key, the right approach is key. It’s like we all live in these little worlds that need care and respect. Wouldn’t it be good if we could swallow our fear and be good ambassadors? I am working on it…

By: jdiddley

jdiddley — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:26:31 +0000

Update… I owned this product for approx. one year and it worked well for the beagle next door. Instead of barking he adapted to a low howl so it was like barking “under the radar”. If he needs to alert for something serious, he just barks anyway. The bottom line is, he now only barks when he needs to. It has seriously cut back on what I refer to as “leisurely barking”. The bad news is, the birdhouse broke after only 1 year. The good news is, it trained the dog to stop barking all day every day 24-7. If you’re going nuts because of your neighbors dog, this is worth a shot I think. By the way, there are few bad dogs but many bad dog owners!

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:35:26 +0000

We love our neighbors and want them to be happy in our neighborhood. And, we know that noise is the leading complaint in neighborhoods, the issue that leads to distress most often. Knowing this, we always let new neighbors know what they can expect from us; we are quiet and we are kind to them. We clear snow from all of the neighborhood sidewalks and driveways each winter because we have a huge snow blower. We let new neighbors (and respectfully keep our word with long-term neighbors) know that if our hedge next to their drive or along the back fence gets too large to let us know and we will immediately trim it; while we are there we offer to trim one of their bushes and offer some perennial plants. We also let new neighbors know that we also have an expectation of quiet from them as well. When our children were teenagers, the house rule was that they could play their music as loud as they desired in their rooms, but the sound could not be heard outside their doors. The same rule applied outdoors. In the last two years, two neighbors in rental properties have arrived and then obtained dogs – loud dogs that barked for hours. They barked from 6 AM to 11 PM, basically any time they were outdoors. The noise disturbed the neighborhood tranquility, and was (is) extremely stressful for me. We spoke with the neighbors four times although there was no change; other neighbors sent notes to them. The police came to warn them of a barking dog ordinance six times with no change. Finally we made contact with the property owners, who did request that the dogs either stop barking or be removed from the property. In one case, the family did move. Recently a new family arrived with again – a barking dog. Sad to say and completely out of my character, but I have just purchased the PetSafe® Outdoor Bark Control “birdhouse” as yet another avenue to stop the distressing barking. There have been mixed results in the use of this training tool, and it is my sincere hope that it will be in our yard for only one week as one person reported. I mean no harm to any animal, but will no longer allow barking dogs to interfere with the quality of our lives. Perhaps I can provide a happy report in near-term days.

By: stacy

stacy — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:13:37 +0000

My husband and I just purchased a new home and we love the home and the neighborhood, but not even a week in the new home I was ready to put it on the market b/c of the dogs next door! After talking to a few other people on the street the dogs next door have been a problem for all of them. The other people on the street along with the previous owners tried talking to the owners of the barking dogs, but the communication got no where. I knew trying to talk to my neighbors about the problem was out of the question and I didn’t want confritation being the new kids on the block. We bought the ultra sonic birdhouse out of desperation yesterday evening and last night was the first night we had a quiet night and much needed good nights rest! It was almost scary how quiet the neighborhood got.

By: Once Quiet Neighborhood

Once Quiet Neighborhood — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:08:41 +0000

Thanks everyone for your comments. There are many responsible dog owners who diligently work with their dogs and keep them inside to socialize them. Then there are our new neighbors, renting a house across the street from us. Seven aggressive unneutered dogs are left outside for 5 or more hour stretches. They bark and fight every five minutes, charging the fence in what was once a peaceful family, walk friendly block. We have tried talking to the neighbors but they are as aggressive as their dogs. Until animal control picks them up, the ultra sonic birdhouse may be a solution.

Dogs that bark repeatedly and are left out for long stretches are products of irresponsible owners. The owners don’t care to have the dogs inside with them and instead turn them outside with disregard to their neighbors who are trying to enjoy their yards and walks. You would think if one dog was pesky enough to live with you wouldn’t allow six more to join him. Some folks have little sense and animal control is a God send in this case. The poor dogs who are recipients of the other dogs abuse in this wild pen of dogs. A sad comment on their owners humanity.

A woman near us had over one hundred dogs removed by animal control. She stacked the dogs in tiny cages, the ammonia so bad on the lower level animals that the dogs were blinded. Some folks deceive themselves with a false “savior” complex. They collect dogs thinking they are preventing their death in a pound. In doing so they harm the very animals they think they are saving. The dogs she owned were never socialized, rarely taken out of their cages. They have had many hurdles to overcome in order to function in a regular household.

By: Works

Works — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:46:00 +0000

This product does work! My neigbor has four dogs that bark all the time…After I was woke up at 3:30, then at 5, then again at 5:30 on three consecutive nights I purchased this product. This was also two years in the making, They originally had two dogs and about a year ago got the other two. I had no idea this technology was even out there. Another neighbor about two years ago started a petition and the neighbor with the dog threatened to beat him up. So I knew a confrontation was out of the question. Anyway I put it up about two weeks ago and everything has been great…the dogs only bark when they should bark, like if someone is walking right up to the fence…not the constant two hour straight barking at 5am. Today the oldest child (maybe 12) snuck into my back yard and turned it off? I saw him do it and told him that my wife is pregnant (It is our first!) and she needs to be able to sleep through the night. I think they may have thought it was a camera or something…I really do not know. But hopefully they will research it and learn that what it is and maybe they can also get a good night sleep. I really did not want any friction with my nieghbors, but I and my family also need to be able to sleep through the night.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:40:13 +0000

I was initially interested in this product as I own a rental surrounded by bad neighbors who we call the “Bumpuses”. One neighbor has five dogs and the other has four. They are fed regularly, but otherwise left to fend for themselves and are left out in the elements. We have concerns about the health and safety of the dogs left outside in all kinds of weather. That being said, we need to rent our units and it is very difficult when there is constant barking. I was concerned that the unit would bother the otherwise good dogs in surrounding homes as they houses are very close. I don’t want to stress them out or hurt them. Short of calling the authorities and having these dogs removed because they are left out in bad weather, I doubt there is anything we can do that will stop the barking. The owners aren’t the type you can easily talk to, and we have tried. I appreciate the comments because they have answered some of my questions.

By: Ashamed of You

Ashamed of You — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:38:24 +0000

Everyone should go back and reread what Get a Grip wrote on June 18

I couldn’t have said it better!

And for the person that said “poison in a meatball” I can’t wait for karma to catch up with you.

By: blue river

blue river — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:37:34 +0000

a) We have been in our home 19 years. My husband is a police officer on a grave yard shift. We have a 6 yr old golden who has been trained to be quiet on command. We have always had dogs as pets, for 31+ years of marriage and child-rearing. We now have two (2) neighbors with barking dogs.
b) First family moved in almost 18 mos ago, with 2 dogs and added a third! We politely went over and explained the situation, his days off, etc. They already owned bark collars. Don’t really seem to know how to use them. On day three my husband shouted over the fence after the dogs woke him up again. He suggested he would call the police. She called the cops, who came to our house and guess what….woke my husband up again, just after he’d gone back to sleep. they have received 2 warnings (12 mos apart) and we are the “evil” ones for calling Animal Control.(?)
c) Muni Code is that they give a warning (only once every 12 mos) then you need two adults not in the same household to swear out a complaint and you go to court. Other neighbors are retired or at work during the day, so no help there.
d) new family next door, a shepard and a husky–they bark, generally when provoked by the other neighbors dogs trying to get thru their shared fence. He is a cop on graveyard shift too. I introduced myself and explained all of our concerns about 3 days after they moved in. They have 4 young kids as well. Had to go over & ring the bell around noon today for….barking dogs. At least he was conscientious enough to take them in and….CRATE them.

Crating–what a concept. Dogs are happy to have their “cave” to go to. Those who “must” leave them out all day are–lazy and inconsiderate dog owners. Why should dogs & neighbors suffer from lazy dog owners?

My understanding is these devices use the same ultrasonic sound as a dog whistle. We are desparate for an answer for this situation and so that people can sleep.

By: Get a clue

Get a clue — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:04:50 +0000

To “Get a grip”: what sort of jail time do you suppose a firearm discharged in a residential area carries? Other than the ridiculous assumption that you can shoot at your neighbors (shooting in their direction anyway) because they may have caused harm to your dogs, I’m in total agreement with your comments.

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By: MAD AS HELL

MAD AS HELL — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:55:42 +0000

MY NEXT DOOR IDIOT HAS MONEY AND THINKS HE OWNS THE CULDESAC. WE CALL HIM CAPTIAN CULDESAC.WE HAVE HAD ISSUES ABOUT MANY THINGS AND I CAME ACROSS THIS BIRD HOUSE AND THOUGHT IT WAS A CAMERA. MY RAGE WENT OFF. I HAVE TWO KIDS AND THOUGHT IT WAS AN INVASION OF PRIVACY. I READ ONE COMMENT ABOUT IT CAUSING SEIZURES. MY BERMESE MOUNTAIN DOG HAS SEIZURES AND SEEING HIM ON THE GROUND SUFFERING AND MY KIDS SCARED BY THIS. CLOWNS AND PRODUCTS LIKE THIS NEED TO BE STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Animal Control Officer Pipes Up

Animal Control Officer Pipes Up — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:42:47 +0000

I would like to put in my 2 cents. I have been working in animal control for 4 years and as a certified veterianary technician for almost 10. Barking dog complaints are my number one complaint (outside of running loose). I agree - dogs bark but barking for absolutely no reason is not ok. For those of you dealing with barking dogs in your neighborhood continue to annoy the hell out of your local police/sheriff until they do something about it. As for my jurisdiction, I try hard to educate owners that just let their dog bark because “that is what they do”. I was actually looking at this for an option for the complainants on my calls but I am not sure that I would recommend them at this point - too many issues. But the bottom line is - dogs do bark but they shouldn’t bark just because they can……

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:17:41 +0000

I think it’s clear the person writing this articel is an inconsiderate hypocrite. Coming home the writer found a PetSafe Bark Control facing his/her own yard. Maybe that should be an indication that his/her dog is a problem for the neighbors and he/she needs to do something about it. Instead of complaining about the neighbor maybe he/she should be training his/her own dog, especially if he/she is a trainer. Then the neighbor can take the birdhouse down. I bought one of these bark controls for my own dogs one of which used to barks too much and out of concern for my neighbors I installed one in my own yard. It works great. My dog stopped barking immediately. After one day we put it away and still the dog didn’t bark. Admittedly he forgot after a few days, so out it came and again he stopped barking. Over time we had to bring it out less and less. Now it’s in its original box on top of the refringerator in case we need again. Prior to this we tried the electric collar, the spray collar, stress pills; nothing but this birdhouse worked.

By: concerned

concerned — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 02:17:55 +0000

My next door neighbors have recently put one of theses birdhouses in their rose bush very close to our house. We have two dogs who bark back to all the other neighborhood dogs (especially the neighbor’s dog next door). Their dogs has alot of issues including attacking my friends dogs in my yard who visit, barking all hours of the day and night, and pooping in my yard. I have not compained to them when this type of behavior is none stop, and I think it is rude of them to inflict this pain on my dogs when their dog is often the root of the problem. So now I will be the more evolved person and confort my neighbors for their barbaric behavior.