I really dont know what to suggest Hilary as we have the same problem with Marley. Kala very rarely barks but marley Barks at certain people walking past the house,hates the postman, hates delivery men, barks if I leave the room to go to the loo, barks if anyone comes into the house, barks if anyone walks down the stairs and stand in the room at times and barks just for attention. At the moment Im very lucky we have lovely neighbours but at times it really gets me down and Im worried about when we move!! he doesnt bark once he goes to bed so thats not too bad. I really hope you find a solution Hilary

aww hilary i feel sorry for you, the only little bit of advice i can offer is what i got told to do by a trainer make some kind of rattle, like peas in a tin and shake it when they start to bark, it does work in a way they focus on that rather the door and i always leave the radio on hope it helps you a little

Hilary firstly try not to worry hun

Have you tried a bark stop? if so any joy? if not, I will send you mine hun, plug it in and see if it helps to stop them from barking, if you want to try it, send me your address again and I will pop it in the post tomorrow, it works for some not for others

bloody hell Hilary i don't know what to say tbh my dogs bark when people knock on the door but not enough to annoy the neighbors.
i don't think anyway none have said anything anyway Bailey barks constantly in the back yard if he is locked put but i dont lock the door any more.
i wish i could be of help. have you tried any of those bark control gadgets,
i know a few on here have bought them but can't remember if they said they work still or not. Wilkinsons sell them for about £30 they let off a high pitched noise humans can't hear when they bark and it's supposed to stop them.

I have tried the spray one and the barkbuster on Marley and they worked at first for a couple of days then he got used to them and they had no effect after that. they do work for some though

I have tried them on mine Jude and they never really worked but could be worth a try for Hilary

I can't use anything sonic because of the rats

i was going to suggest a bark stop too.... but you cant if you have the rats

what about spray collars?... i could loan you mine ... its not being used at the moment (i would let you have it, but if i was ever to get another pup i might need it lol) i know you need more than one, but you could fin out who the instigator is and use it on them, the rest will follow suit .....hopefully lol

im wondering if theres a voice activated device you can buy that wouldnt hurt the rats.... something that makes a sound when activated

or theres a spray you can buy that makes a noise.... pretty much similar to using a can of stones tbh...

other than that im not sure hun

i was going to say bark collars i know it worked for my friends dog

bark collars are good the only problem i had was freds hair.....i had to trim it around the device ....

and dont shout near it when the dogs wearing it..... it bloody stinks and tastes horrible

bloody hell be no good at this house then

i lost count of how many times i got sprayed ... he would do something naughty....i would go up to him and tell him no ....an then i would be sprayed

Hilary i feel so sorry for you

I have the same problem with my dogs constantly barking when someone walks past the house Keira is the instigator and Mickey follows suit

I dont think i could ever live in a semi detached house because of it id be like you at my whits end

Like Shelley said if you could to try to work out which dog is the instigator and concentrate on that one to start with trying a bark collar
I know if Mickey is in on his own he doesnt bother barking when the post paperboy etc call but if Keira starts then he is as bad they fuel each other

Its horrible having neighbours like this I had 5 cats once and the neighbours were always making comments about them pooing in their garden i found out on my house deeds that i was only allowed 3 domestic pets so was always worried they would report me to someone about it (have no idea who that would have been) That was a private house so just incase your neighbours try that route check your deeds
Is there no way you can speak to the neighbours and tell them you are trying to sort the problem in the hope they wont pursue the matter
What about some kind of soundproofing on the attached wall as a last resort

I really hope you can get this sorted asap to stop you having to worry about it