Jules, I had this same problem. We got some new neighbors kiddy-corner from us (my studio is in my house). Not only do they have a braying Beagle, they have KIDS too!! The Beagle messed up one of my vocal sessions by howling... All. Day. Long. While I was thinking of different and satisfying ways to shoot the pest, my wife (she's way smarter than me) had an idea.
So, we introduced ourselves to the new neighbors, and let them know that we also have a dog (Golden Retriever) who would love to play with their Beagle. They thought it was a capital idea. So now, whenever I have a session and the Beagle is braying, I run my dog next door and let them play. No more barky malarky.
Now, the KIDS are a different story. I'm not sure what to do about them. I'm not going to talk to my wife about that particular problem. It might give her unacceptable ideas.
Has anyone ever noticed that little girls have a frequency in their "play scream" that is like a dentist drill in strength and duration? Their "play scream" is an uncommon, unequalled
torture. 