Soundproof concrete block fence

Elaine Brown
by Elaine Brown
Can anyone provide suggestions of how to soundproof or baffle the noise of dogs barking inside a concrete block fence? I recently moved here thinking no one other than myself could hear the dogs bark. Unfortunately, I discovered that muted barking immediately outside the fence sounds like a yard full of Rottweilers down the street. Evidently, the fence acts like a megaphone.
Concrete block fence and one of the culprits
  12 answers
  • Susan E Susan E on Jul 26, 2015
    Can't muffle the dogs? Of course not! I would guess a wall full of ivy would help.
    • Elaine Brown Elaine Brown on Jul 26, 2015
      Actually, I'm looking for a muzzle for my primary barker. He's a miniature pinscher/miniature dachshund mix so it's a little challenging. I should have mentioned I'm in New Mexico so I would need to install sprinklers to support ivy.
  • ...I would caution against ivy and such...it attracts and breeds roaches and other creepy crawly critters.lol. I have heard of " wonderboard' ( also known as Duraroc) , its used for laying tile, etc...its made of concrete, and can be used to either " line' a masonry wall, or if you have to, I have seen it used as " panels", screwed together, caulked in between the panels and used against other existing fences as a sound barrier. Caulking in between the panels is vital, because sound travels in ' waves' and will get through the area is not caulked. The reason the one people I know of that made panels of it...they were pretty much portable and if you dont own your home....you can leave behind or take with you. just a couple of suggestions, hope it helps. On a side note...yes, Min Pins are barkers. lol. ...I recommend the training video " Perfect Pooch' , its about 50 bucks, and worth it. :)
  • Susan E Susan E on Jul 26, 2015
    @Elaine Brown How are those lovely daisy's watered? You could use a single soaker hose once a week or so when the ivy (or any thick climbing vine) is established. I, myself, love to have critters around my house, as we use it for ongoing nature lessons. We have ants, millipedes, salamanders, etc. (no roaches here) which attract garter snakes, skunks, blue jays, hawks, owls, bats and other insect eaters. The only thing we have that annoys me are daddy long leg spiders who spin webs by the zillions overnight. Although they eat bugs, too. I would like to hear how you solve this.
    • See 2 previous
    • @Susan E ..YES, it is ! :)....I am so still " in awe' ...when I see the does and fawns , about 20 feet from the deck...:) I feed them all...big and small...:)
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jul 27, 2015
    Get a bark collar.
  • Duv310660 Duv310660 on Jul 27, 2015
    While I applaud your efforts in saving water, I do think vegetation is the way to go. Ivy which will soften the reflection of sound off the wall surface, but it is not the only thing o employ. Having shrubs at intervals will act as baffles, mis-directing sound waves and conceling some out through interference. I have recently rediscovered a gem of a shrub from my so. california youth: Oleanders - drought hardy, sturdy indoor (if you need to move them in for the winter as I do), reliable bloomers in so. west colours, and can have a real chinese look if you put one in a large chinese-style koi pots. These grow in an never ending row separating opposing traffic on California highways. OR, if you want the wall coverage and baffles in one plant, try wisteria or bouganvilla. Wisteria grows quickly - there are some pruning tricks to create a structure and maximize flowering, but it's really very straight forward. I am thinking you could have a trellis full of large branches, clothed in thick leaves and flowers in 2-3 years, depending on the legnth of your growing season.
    • Msi1170121 Msi1170121 on Jul 29, 2015
      Be really carefull about using oleanders. They are POISONOUS if chewed, licked, ETC. You might try painting your concrete, that will reduce the resonance of the concrete l of the concrete blocks. I'd bet they have hollow spaces...think what happens when an empty glass s tapped. You might also try hanging bamboo or reed fencing on the concrete with any of several kinds of hooks. Secondly , look into breaking your dogs barking habit (I too have a serious barker). ConditiOnals trainer for help there. Chances are part of the problem is that dogs are territorial and nosy and they can't see what is going on. A couple of "windows" cut in the fence lessened my barking problem.
  • Carole Carole on Jul 28, 2015
    Build a dog house or kennel with a side ramp and a roof they can sit on. High enough so they can see over the wall and don't feel so shut in. If the wall is solid and they cannot see out of your garden they may bark because they hear things and cannot see them and also out of boredom. Where is the view? This works for some dogs but not all. Might be worth a try. Just don't place it so close to the wall or fence that they can use it to climb over and out of the garden and wander off.
  • Anne stickn354ey Anne stickn354ey on Jul 28, 2015
    I recommend the bark collar as well. It doesn't hurt them, but it does stop the constant barking.
  • Elaine Brown Elaine Brown on Jul 28, 2015
    When you say bark collar are you referring to the shock collar or the one that sprays?
  • I dont believe in " bark collars' or " de- barking 'dogs....they can be trained to not bark, other than intruders and such. Just my own opinion.
    • Msi1170121 Msi1170121 on Jul 29, 2015
      I'm with you on the bark collars and spike collars as well. There are other ways of training that are far more humane. Don't get me started on debarking, declawing....there are ways of dealing with these problems. that are humane. Find a trainer.
  • Susan E Susan E on Jul 29, 2015
    I do like the idea of hanging bamboo shades. Quick fix.
  • Sue Sanders Sue Sanders on Jul 31, 2015
    How about planting taller shrub. Could start with spacing about ever 8 feet and if that didnt do the job could plant in between them. Maybe that would catch the sound. If you did use the dog bark collar you could use just long enough for the dog to get the idea then replace color with a regular collar. Neighbor used electric fence for his fence jumping dog and after several months he cut the electric off and the dog still did not jump the fence. Debarking sounds cruel and is permanent.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Apr 08, 2016
    For one, you could confine the dogs to a smaller space away from the concrete block and sound proof that space with thick hedging rather than let them have the entire run of the yard unsupervised. A good dog run is fine for most dogs left out alone. If it is you have multiple dogs and they are barking at each other, separate them when you are not around. Also this is hogwash that no bark collars are cruel. They are not. They do work on most dogs and are quick training. It is no different than giving your kid a pat on the fanny, don't be so woosey. If you have a problem and want to keep the dogs, fix it.