Anti-bark device for neighbour's dogs barking early every morning

millsy · 24-02-2026 10:24AM #1

My elderly in-laws are being tormented every morning for the last few months by the neighbour’s dogs. The neighbour used to have an older dog that was well behaved and didn’t bark too often. However that dog is gone and they got 2 new smalls dogs (pugs I think) a few months ago that bark every time they are put out the back. The dogs seem to be put out every morning at about 6am, presumably when the husband gets up to go to work. I think his wife doesn’t work, so is at home all day, and possibly brings the dogs in when she gets up about 10am.

So the problem is between about 6am-10am every morning my in-laws are woken up. They are in their 80s with health issues and are both physically and mentally drained by their sleep being disrupted every morning. It’s not an option for them to speak with the neighbours about the dogs. They had a falling out over an issue before and don’t speak. I know they should say something but they really can’t because of their situation. And they don’t want to report them to the authorities or try and take them to court for fear of reprisals. It’s an awkward situation they are in with the neighbours. Houses are privately owned.

I suggested them getting one of those anti-barking devices that emit an ultrasonic sound when the dogs bark. I don’t know much about these devices nor know anybody that has actually used them, but I’d have no issue with something like this being used, but only for the early hours of the morning. If it was possible to get one with a timer that is set to go off from maybe 5am-9am. I know my in-laws don’t get up until at least 11am, but I figure dogs are entitled to bark after 9am when most people are up and about.

The problem I see with these devices (from what I’ve read online) is that they work best with direct line of sight. The only suitable place they could hang the device (without the neighbours spotting it) would be on their side of the boundary wall. However that would mean that the signal would need to go through a block wall which would likely affect the quality of it.

The know there is the ethics of using a device like this and the well being of the dogs, but really this is down to the neighbour’s ignorance and lack of consideration for my elderly in-laws. And from what I’ve read it doesn’t cause the dogs any harm. Plus like I said it would only be used in the early hours of the morning.

Has anyone had any good experiences using their devices, or would I be wasting my time and money investing in one?

MadeInKerry · 24-02-2026 11:09AM

Nothing worse than a barking dog living near you. Some people should not be allowed to own pets. I remember years ago in an estate I was living in there was a dog barking day and night that kept everyone awake. The neighbours got rid of the dog after a couple of years as the barking got even worse all of a sudden. Now I dont know what the device was but a few years after another neighbour told me he got this device that made the dog go mad altogether, so much so that even its owners couldnt stand it anymore and got rid of the dog. Dont know what it was, how it worked or even if it was legal or not, but it worked.

puntosporting · 24-02-2026 11:17AM

Rat poison no seriously maybe try and represent your parents and have a chat?

Ask can they be let out later?

Cavanlad23 · 24-02-2026 11:17AM

We've 3 dogs, when they bark when outside we bring them in straight away, keep them from triggers like the front window of the house and are mortified when they bark. Dogs bark but owners that don't give a **** are the problem here.

We did have some anti bark devices here at first as to honest one of them was very bad when he came first. It worked a treat at first but you the owner needs to be there when it goes off for it to have a long lasting effect.

I would get your parents to speak to the husband, he probably doesn't know how bad it gets. Maybe he will get them out to do their business and bring them back in before work..

daheff · 24-02-2026 11:23AM

report them to the council/dog warden.

millsy · 24-02-2026 12:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261444#Comment_124261444

They're not my parents, but my wife's parents. Regardless, it's not an option to speak to the neighbours, even for me to represent them. Something happened a few years ago and communication unfortunately is not an option. I'd love if it was because I'd have no problem having a friendly chat with them but that won't happen.

And they don't want to report them because they fear that the neighbour would act out in revenge. They're not the friendlest of people. The neighbour is at the end of a cul-de-sac, my in-laws next to them. On the other side of my in-laws is a small grass area with a path and then the rest of the row of houses alongside that. So any complains would appear obvious who reported them as the rest of the houses a bit away from them (even though I'm sure they can also hear the dog).

sham58107 · 24-02-2026 12:47PM

Is there a residents ass. or management company who can report the dogs or maybe a general notice about loud noises and include barking . Nobody will know who is complaining .

It does work.

Thargor · 24-02-2026 02:47PM

Should be easy enough to put it in line of sight but hidden by a flowerpot or something no? Seems to be way more of these devices available on amazon for way cheaper than when I looked into it a few years ago in a similar situation.

Beachcomber1097 · 24-02-2026 03:18PM

A resident or management company will have very little to do with this type of thing.

ILikeBoats · 24-02-2026 03:31PM

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/policy-information/dog-control/#barking-dogs

Barking Dogs

Excessive dog barking which causes a nuisance to any person is an offence. Your District Court can make an order requiring the reduction of excessive barking by a dog, can limit the number of dogs that can be kept on a premises, or can direct that a dog be delivered to a dog warden as an unwanted dog. You can make a complaint about excessive barking to the District Court under Noise Regulations.

Before you do this, you must first let the dog owner know that you are making a complaint. You do this by completing a Section 108 Form under the Control of Dogs Act, 1986. The Section 108 form is available from the District Court.

Escapees · 24-02-2026 03:36PM

It wouldn't be crazy to simply put it outside on an upstairs window sill if that would give you line of sight. Such a position might be quite inconspicuous, plus it gives the option of running a dc power lead through the window if necessary. If the neighbours notice it and start asking questions, just say it's a weather station monitor or rodent repeller!

millsy · 24-02-2026 03:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262170#Comment_124262170

Yeah maybe leaving it on the window sill might work. I'm not sure if they have a window on the neighbour's side of the house but I'm sure the back upstairs window could do the job.

billyhead · 24-02-2026 08:07PM

Solicitors letter perhaps?

KaneToad · 24-02-2026 08:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262813#Comment_124262813

Can the dogs read?

pale rider · 24-02-2026 08:53PM

have the same issue but not until after 7 am but goes on until 5 pm or when somebody returns to the house.

built up area, dog can be heard barking in a 200 plus metre at least.

The fact that a court hearing is the only way to deal with this is so unfair and overboard, it’s not unreasonable to have the dog warden call but it’s not within their remit other than to do a random dog license check and using that Segway into dog barking nuisance generally, assuming the dog warden would do this.

Bet they have no license.

Triple glazing maybe, move bedroom ?

Fiona · 25-02-2026 01:19PM

Have they kids?

Get a dog barking device from 8pm until 11pm and reciprocate the pleasure. I joke joke!

There are anti barking devices that are disguised as bird houses so they can be left outside and their purpose not questioned.

Outdoor Bark Control | Ultrasonic Bark Control

Del2005 · 25-02-2026 02:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261665#Comment_124261665

The dog warden doesn't tell who reported the public nuisance. A friend had the warden called on their dogs and they've no idea which of their neighbours called the warden as none had complained about dogs barking to them.

GalwayBmw · 28-02-2026 01:13AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058433216/anti-bark-device-for-neighbour-039-s-dogs-barking-early-every-morning

I’m not trying to be smart, but this could very well be a karma thing… Have your in-laws worked in the construction business — specifically erecting new buildings in high-density residential areas? If not, you can ignore me.

Maybe buy a toy (some might suggest a hedgehog, but I wouldn’t be one of them) that’s clearly not owned by your neighbour and give it to their dog to play with… People might simply not realise the impact of their dog’s barking. You need to draw their attention to it — and this could do that.

never_ends · 28-02-2026 09:34PM

just an aside, might not help.

but dogs get stressed after the smell of their pack/owners disappears for too long.

one way to help keep a dog quiet is to leave an owners unwashed garment near, as long as they can smell their owner they dont get quite so triggered.

in their evolution losing the pack was dangerous. maybe even a time to bark to elicit a response from the distant pack.

Anti-bark device for neighbour's dogs barking early every morning

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Barking Dogs