Dear Denise,
My neighbor’s dog is constantly coming into my yard and causing my dog to bark like crazy from inside the house. It drives me nuts. I like my neighbor and his dog, but not the situation. Is there anything I can do to discourage the dog from coming into my yard? Besides asking my neighbor not to let his dog out, of course! 🙂
Dear Mama:
If you live within the city limits, there is very likely a leash law stipulating that dogs must be confined in a fenced area or on leash. Filing an anonymous complaint is probably your best bet.
There are spray deterrents, but those are usually recommended for gardens and small areas, not the perimeter of entire yards. So, I don’t think it would work for your situation. I also suspect that your dog will bark anytime the neighbor’s dog is within sight, even if it’s not in ‘your’ yard. My dog, Henri, thinks he owns the sidewalk, too! Unfortunately, this isn’t a training issue; this is more a good neighbor issue.
I would suggest that you try to talk with your neighbor. If he does not have a fenced yard, perhaps suggest some sort of tethering system. A trot line between two trees and attached to a harness would be a safe and inexpensive alternative.
Another, less expensive alternative, would be an electronic system. It doesn’t have to be one of those high-dollar underground kind. There is a system that 
consists of a box kept indoors, that establishes a 360 perimeter from the box. The owner sets the distance.
If you aren’t comfortable confronting your neighbor, then we are back to square one…reporting it. You could always stick one of my cards in the mailbox as a friendly suggestion. He might take the hint 😉
I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help on this one. Good luck.
Denise
Love. Trust. Teach. CDP, Inc
www.LoveTrustTeach.com
“You are responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.”
-Antoine de Saint-Exupery
