First, If you must walk your dog, don't let him soil the neighbor's property or plants. Curb your dog and pick up after him. Carry a plastic baggy, just in case. Dog owner's who allow their dogs to soil the property of others are not making friends for themselves or their dogs by this thoughtless act. Cleaning up your own yard is a must, too. No one wants to be down wind of a yard full of poop. Your dog doesn't want to have to be in it either!
2. Keep your dog on your property.. "Good fences makes good neighbors" - must have been written for dog owners! If you don't have a fence, keep your dog on a lead or under voice control.
3 Don't let your dog bark excessively. There are few things as hard on nerves and tempers as listening to a dog barking, whining, howling or moaning for hours on end. Yet this is what some dog owners force their neighbors to endure. This goes for apartment dwellers, as well. To cure this bad habit, teach your dog to stay quiet in a room or crate while you are home and slowly extend the time...be sure to praise good behavior. If your dog is in the backyard, a pen or a kennel, he can become bored and start barking at anything that comes along. Bring him in with you and keep him with you except to go relieve himself. If he has to be outside during the day, provide him with something to do......dogs are NOT mindless creatures! A buster cube with food in it, a hollow bone with peanut butter or cheese in it are two examples of "puzzling" and fun activities for your dog to do while home alone. ( This is good for apartment dwellers , too, and add a radio or TV for a little background noise.)
Basically, a little common sense will go a long way in making you and your dog welcome in the neighborhood.
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