May 28, 2009 
Fido Syndrome Don't get me wrong, I am a lifelong dog lover. I love photographing them, going to the dog shows and have owned many dogs and have even rescued a few.
BUT.... probably one of the most common causes of neighborhood friction are barking, unruly dogs. Have you ever walked into a multi-family rental or condo complex and heard a dog barking relentlessly, non-stop? Can you imagine the neighbor who works nights and is trying to sleep? Single family home developments are not insulated from this problem, and in some cases it is worse, since the dogs are at times running free and getting into trouble. Most dog owners don't even realize their little pooch starts barking after they leave the house. But it does! Just ask the neighbors!! It is part of our culture to own a dog. We love our dogs like our kids. But most of us aren't home enough to really care for them and give them the attention that they deserve. I no longer own a dog, simply for that reason. When you hear a dog bark all day long, whether inside or confined outside, it is a distress call of some kind. We have all seen dogs so stressed that they have become frantic for human company, but are cooped up all day alone. I am certainly not a professional on dog psychology, but this is a no-brainer. I am not advocating any more "regulations or ordinances", as we have enough of those already. Love your dogs, care for your dogs, but don't subject your neighbors to their distressful behavior. You'll have happier neighbors and happier dogs. And if all else fails, GET A GOLDFISH! I |