Barking dogs

Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate. However persistent barking usually indicates an underlying issue and excessive or persistent barking can be a nuisance to neighbours and cause conflict if not dealt with.

Dog owners may not be aware that their dog is barking or that there’s a problem. Communication between neighbours and early intervention helps in preventing the issue escalate.

Owners of barking dogs

You’re responsible for making sure your dog doesn’t unreasonably interfere with the peace, comfort or convenience of your neighbours. Dogs may increase their barking behaviour when their owners are not home.

Dogs basic daily requirements include:

• enough space to move freely in the backyard
• shelter from wind, rain and direct sunlight
• sufficient food
• fresh clean water
• regular exercise and socialisation
• mental stimulation.

If you become aware that your dog's barking is a nuisance to your neighbours, it is important you take adequate measures to address your dog's behaviour as soon as possible. Try to identify what is causing the dogs barking - boredom, anxiety, fear, territorial behaviour, attention seeking behaviour or undiagnosed medical issues.

Depending on the cause, you may consider:

• reducing the time your dog is left alone
• increasing their exercise and socialisation
• increasing their mental stimulation by rotating or introducing new toys and feeders
• leaving talk-back radio on
• reducing access to certain 'trigger' areas
• undertaking pet dog training
• seeking advice from an animal behaviorist or your vet.

 Additional resources

What causes a dog to bark excessively

RSPCA training tips

Neighbours' barking dogs

If you believe your neighbour’s dog is barking too much, try talking to your neighbour about it first. Your neighbour may not be aware that their dog is barking when they’re away from the house or the nuisance it is causing you. As nuisance barking behaviour is not something that is resolvable immediately, it is recommended you address your concerns before the barking has become unbearable.

Approaching your neighbour in a friendly manner allows for good communication to resolve the issue without escalating to a formal process. You may wish to provide them with some information about what you have observed and when the barking is creating the nuisance to you. This can allow alternative options to be discussed reasonably. Allow for further conversations to be had about the progress of actions undertaken.

Nuisance barking complaints fact sheet

Dealing with a barking dog problem booklet

Complaint process

Before making a formal complaint, it is strongly encouraged that you approach the issue with the neighbor in the first instance to resolve.

To make a formal complaint, you may report the issue to the Service Centre between 8:30am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or lodge it via Report it.

Please be aware that Council will require your support to take the matter any further

1. Council will send both the complainant and the owner of the dog a 'Barking Complaint Kit'. The purpose is to give the owner an opportunity to resolve the barking issue and for the complainant to provide additional information to us to investigate further if required.
2. Completed kits will be assessed to determine if further investigation is required and some further evidence may be collected by the assessing officer. Both the complainant and the dog owner will be notified of the outcome.
3. If further investigation is required, the complainant and neighbours may be asked to provide additional evidence of the nuisance barking it is causing them.
4. Both the complainant and the dog owner will be notified of the outcome which may include no further action, expiation notice or a Control (Barking Dog) Order. Removal of the dog is not an outcome Council can direct.