‘Tis the season to be a good DOGGY neighbor! As we pet lovers know, dogs and barking just go hand in hand. A dog barking at the occasional squirrel in their yard or cat in a window isn’t something that usually causes friction among neighbors. Problems can arise, however, when a dog’s barking becomes so constant that it changes the neighborhood from relaxed and friendly to tense and exhausting.

Dogs living in urban and suburban settings have very different roles than those of farm or sled dogs. Neighborhood or apartment dwellers need to be sufficiently calm and controlled in order to live in peace with human housemates and neighbors. The experts at Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) know that some pet guardians need a little reminder that being a respectful neighborly family includes respectful behavior from the dog as well.