Dogs bark for many reasons. Regardless of the cause, a nuisance barking dog can be a real problem in a neighbourhood. However, dogs are allowed to bark and not all barking is considered a nuisance.
The following information is designed to help residents manage and resolve issues with barking dogs.
Discuss the problem with the dog's owner.
They may not be aware there is an issue. Many dog owners are not disturbed by their own dog's barking, or they may be away from home when the barking occurs. In most cases, owners will want to do the right thing and work with you to resolve the problem.
If you do not feel comfortable speaking directly with your neighbour, you can use the barking dog letter template(DOCX, 156KB).
If the owner agrees to take action, allow a few weeks to see if the situation improves.
During this time, stay in contact with your neighbour and let them know:
Keeping a barking dog diary can help identify patterns and assist the owner in addressing the issue.
If several weeks have passed, you have followed the steps in the information pack, and the barking continues, you can report the matter to council for further assessment.
You must submit a 14-day noise disturbance diary with your report for council to action it.
Incomplete complaints may not be investigated.
Report to a ranger
When council receives a barking dog complaint, rangers will review whether there have been additional complaints in the area.
Council applies a community test when assessing nuisance barking. This means the barking must be affecting other nearby residents, not just one person.
If the matter meets the community test, rangers may investigate further and the dog owner may receive written correspondence about the complaint.
If the barking does not meet the community test, residents may wish to seek help through Legal Aid, which provides free services to help neighbours resolve disputes.
Dogs that bark continually can be distressing for owners and neighbours alike. Barking is often a sign that a dog's needs are not being met.
Your dog may be barking because it:
Sometimes small changes can make a big difference. For example, covering a side gate or fence may reduce visual distractions that trigger barking.
You do not need to stay home entertaining your dog all day, but there are several simple strategies that may help reduce barking.
Suggestions and practical tips can be found in the Why Does My Dog Bark?(PDF, 1MB) fact sheet.
If you have already tried the recommended strategies and your dog continues to bark excessively, consider seeking advice from an animal behaviour specialist or your local vet.
There are also training and behaviour management devices available that may help. Speak with your vet about suitable options for your dog.
File downloads
Fact sheet: Why does my dog bark?(PDF, 1MB)
Fact sheet: Report a barking dog(PDF, 827KB)
Barking dog letter to neighbour(DOCX, 156KB)