Barking Dog Policy For Martha's Vineyard Vacation Homes

It is a violation of Martha's Vineyard Vacation Home's policy for any person to keep a dog within the compound limits that is in the habit of barking or howling or disturbs the peace and quiet of another person. If your dog is barking or you have been informed your dog is disturbing another person's peace, you need to take action. To help you in resolving barking dog issues, we at Martha Vineyard Vacation Homes recommend the following:

TWO SUGGESTIONS FOR CURBING BARKING DOGS:

1. Buy a kennel/crate that is the appropriate size or larger for the dog. At minimum, the dog should be able to stand-up and turn around in the kennel. Keep the dog and the kennel/crate inside your house when you are away. Most dogs adjust very well to the use of a kennel or crate. Puppies should only be kenneled for a maximum of 1 hour at a time for every month in age (e.g., a 4 month old puppy should not be kenneled for more than 4 hours). No dog should be kenneled for more than 8 hours at a time. For every hour that the dog is kenneled, the dog should be allowed out of the kennel to exercise and join the family activities (e.g. a dog kenneled for 8 hours needs to be out of the kennel for a minimum of 8 hours before going back in).

2. Buy a barking dog collar or muzzle. There are different varieties that work in different ways. Check with your veterinarian about which one would best suit your dog. You can find these at pet stores.

If you have registered your dog with Martha's Vineyard Vacation Homes and are bringing your dog to our home you must sign this document:

I agree to take whatever are steps necessary to insure that my dog does not disturb other guests and residents.  I agree that constant barking  or howling by my dog is a problem and that I take full responsibility for stopping or preventing it.  Barking or howling by my dog before 9 AM or after 10 PM is a further violation of Martha's Vineyard Vacation Homes.  I understand this policy and I agree to take whatever steps necessary to insure that my dog (s) do not violate this policy.  If the owners of Martha's Vineyard Vacation Homes are notified that my dog is howling or barking as described above I will be called by them to have the barking or howling by my dog (s) stop.  Further notifications by others that my dog is howling or barking will cause the Edgartown Dog Warden to be notified by the owners of Martha's Vineyard Vacation Homes.

I agree to this procedure and will be prepared to take whatever steps  are necessary to insure that my dog (s) do not distrub others while on the property of Martha's Vineyard Vacation Homes.

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Signature of guest (s) of Martha's Vineyard Vacation Homes