In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Involving the authorities should be your last recourse for a barking dog, because it is likely to take a good bit of time and effort to secure an acceptable resolution, and is sure to make your relationship with your neighbor uncomfortable at best — and quite possibly openly hostile.  But, if you have exhausted other options and/or see no alternative, make sure you know your rights and how to assert them.  Some municipalities have specific codes regarding barking dogs, while others include it within nuisance or noise ordinances.  Within a single metropolitan area, local codes can vary widely, so contact your local government authority for clarification.  If you and your neighbor are both part of a neighborhood association, there may be codes that cover barking dogs.  Similarly, if you are renters (especially if you have the same landlord), look into the terms of your lease. Some municipalities may provide, or be able to refer you to, mediation services (binding or non-binding) to keep such disputes out of the courts.  Contact your local government, district attorney’s office, or small claims court to inquire. The days of the dog catcher coming around unannounced and snatching up problem dogs is over, but your local animal control service may be able to intervene for you. Contact the service to find out whether it handles nuisance barking, or whether you need to involve the police first.  You may need to be persistent in your calls and/or be able to provide evidence that the dog is a nuisance for animal control to act.  Call animal control right away if the dog is barking because it is in pain, has trapped itself in a small area, has tangled its chain, or is otherwise unable to access water.  Contact the owner first if you are comfortable doing so, but don’t ignore a suffering dog that is not receiving proper care. Involving the police will usually either immediately escalate or immediately resolve the situation.  Your amount of preparation beforehand may well make the difference.  Once you make yourself familiar with the relevant dog/noise/nuisance ordinance(s) in your area, call the non-emergency police number to report a violation. Unless your local police uses the emergency number (such as 911) for all calls, do not call it to make a barking dog complaint.  It is conceivable that you may be cited for misuse of the emergency line. Many police departments and other services require you to prove that the barking is extreme before they can take action. Here is where your record-keeping — log book, recordings, statements from other neighbors, etc. — can prove invaluable in supporting your claim.  Once the police are involved, your neighbor may feel besieged and try to frame the issue as a dispute between neighbors, in which you are primarily at fault for some reason.  This is why it is essential to never give him ammunition to use against you by making threats, shouting, swearing, accosting the dog in any way, etc. If you need to go to court to prove a noise/nuisance violation, come prepared with the evidence you have gathered.  Calmly and clearly establish your case.  You may be able to sue your neighbor in small claims court for causing you loss of enjoyment of your home and property.  You’re not going to strike it rich this way (and may even end up losing money in the process), but if you provide a clear, strong case supported by documented evidence, you may be able to get your neighbor to finally quiet that dog.  If you find that the local laws regarding nuisance dogs are lacking in your area, start a petition and contact your elected leaders.
Summary: Familiarize yourself with local laws/codes. Call animal control. Call the police. Pursue legal action.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Make sure your child isn’t just memorizing information. Instead, work with them to make them think deeply about their assignments, as this will allow them to really understand what they’re learning.  You can ask questions like: “Why do you think your teacher would assign this type of project? What do you think you’ll learn from it?” When your child gets a correct answer, ask them to explain how they came up with it. At the beginning of the school year, sit with your child and write down three to five goals related to their schoolwork and study habits. Halfway through and again at the end of the year, look at your list and check your progress.  Your child’s goals can be related to their study habits, or to doing well on a particular assignment. These goals can be things like: “Learn to take more effective notes,” “Improve my grades in Earth Science” or “Read a chapter book on my own.” Talk to your child to find out if they have a friend they’d enjoy studying with, or check with your child’s teacher or a librarian at the local library to find a study buddy for your child. You and the friend’s parents can take turns hosting a weekly study session for your kids.  Encourage your child and their friend to help each other out with each of their strongest subjects. One might be “in charge” of math, and the other of reading. Having a study buddy is a great way to get your child in the habit of quizzing themselves or other people to commit information to their memory. Make sure the sessions don’t turn into social hours by checking in frequently. You can do so sneakily by bringing over snacks or having the study sessions in a common area of your home. Make sure your child stays positive about their schoolwork. Even if they’re struggling with a class, remind them that all they can do is try their best, and that you’re here to help. Even if your child is panicking because they’ve totally forgotten they need to make a volcano display by 6am the next morning, don’t add to the crisis by getting angry. You should both take deep breaths and tackle the situation calmly. While you want your child to strive for the best grades they can get, you also don’t want to make them anxious or achievement-obsessed. Tell your child that you want them to try their best, and that the grades are secondary. This will help them learn to study for the knowledge rather than the A.
Summary:
Help your child ask questions and think critically. Make specific study goals. Set your child up with a study buddy. Avoid letting your child panic over school. Focus on your child’s efforts instead of grades.