Barking dogs

I have a neighbor who has 8 dogs mostly american hounds who like to howl.  They are kept in the neighbors house. They are let out to do their business 4 times a day, early morning, lunch, dinner and evenings for about 45 minutes on each occasion. They bark insistently when let out.  I spoken to the neighbor, but this fell on deaf ears, i.e. they're just being dogs.  I live in an unincorporated area in a rural county, so there isn't any local noise ordinances.  The question is "what to do about the barking?" 

There is an online web site that offers advise and insight into the owners who ignore their dogs barking. "www.barkingdogs.net".  I've tried all the commercial dog bark control devices.  None are effective.  I have the necessary test equipment to measure these devices and found that they are very mild. 

So my solution was to invent my own device.  The device generates a 22 kHz sine wave tone audible to dogs and not humans.  The volume is equivalent to a loud music band, but only audible to the dogs. Not harmful, just very unpleasant. It is activated by a extended range 433 mHz remote control, similar to a garage door opener, so it is not on continuously. The intent is to train the dogs to not bark.  When they bark they get the tone. It works on all dogs that have normal hearing.  Training success depends on the intelligence of the dog breed.  Smart dogs learn quickly.  Hounds, not so quickly, they are not very intelligent according to the internet. So, each time they are let out they howl.  A few blasts on the tone generator and they quit.  The remote allows you to sit in your recliner  and control the dogs.

If you are interested in more information, please reply to this message. 

Thoughts on wintering in Florida

As we all know the weather in Florida in the winter is beautiful, especially when you’re from the upper mid west.  The last I checked it was 20 degrees and snowing back home.  Condos to rent are plentiful – West coast, East cost or inland you have your pick. There’s several good web sites to search for a location.    I prefer www.vbro.com .You’ll need to book early though – a year in advance is your best bet.

The further south you go the higher the condo prices.  My personal choice for location is Fort Myers/Cape Coral on the West coast or Cocoa Beach to Vero Beach on the East coast.  Central would be the Orlando/Kissimmee area if Disney World or Universal Studios is your prime destination. You’ll have to drive a ways to get to the beaches though. 

On thing you’ll notice right away if you drive is the traffic.  I’d swear all the snowbirds are on the road at once. The West coast is the busiest from Clearwater all the way down to Naples.  The East coast isn’t as busy until you get further south - about West Palm Beach or so and Miami is crazy busy.  The drive to Key West from Miami will take about 3 and half hours with nonstop traffic. My wife and I took a tour bus and loved it.

One tip if your on the road a lot I believe is a must have.  A SunPass.  Florida has a lot of toll roads and a SunPass avoids having to stop at toll booths plus you get a discount on the tolls.  I use the stick on sensor that attaches to your windshield in front of the mirror.  You prepay online with a credit card or cash at your friendly SunPass affiliate.

Happy travels!

Where to winter for Snowbirds

Here’s an interesting web site for snow birds;

http://www.topretirements.com/blog/real-estate/how-to-find-a-great-snowbird-rental-for-the-winter.html/

The first entry