What to do neighbors barking dog

There is no such thing as a difficult dog, only an inexperienced owner. —Barbara Woodhouse, No Bad Dogs

If you're being disturbed by a barking dog in your neighborhood, the best first step is to ask the dog's owner to stop the noise. But a surprising number of people ignore or botch this process. Perhaps it's not all that surprising; approaching someone with a complaint can be unpleasant and in some cases intimidating. And if you're afraid of your neighbor's burly watchdog, which snarls at you whenever you come near its owner's house, you're probably not eager to drop by to discuss things.

Here is a checklist of actions to take when you're losing patience (or sleep) over a neighbor's noisy dog.

• Ask your neighbor to keep the dog quiet.
• Try mediation, especially if you and the neighbor have other issues.
• Contact animal control authorities and request that they enforce local laws restricting noise.
• Call the police.
• Bring a nuisance lawsuit in small claims court.

We'll discuss the first possibility below, and you'll find more information about other possibilities on Nolo's page concerning Neighborhood Dogs, Cats, and Other Pets.

Approaching the Neighbor About the Dog's Barking

Start by talking to your neighbor calmly and reasonably. Even if you do eventually end up in court, a judge isn't likely to be too sympathetic if you didn't make at least some effort to work things out first. So it's a no-lose situation, and if you approach it with a modicum of tact, you might be pleasantly surprised by the neighbor's willingness to work toward a solution.

Sometimes owners are blissfully unaware that there's a problem. If a dog barks for hours every day—but only when it's left alone—the owner might not know that a neighbor is being driven crazy by the dog. Even if you're sure the neighbor does know about the dog's behavior, it could be better to proceed as though she doesn't: "I knew you'd want to know that Rusty was digging up my zucchini, so that you could prevent it from happening again."

Focus on Possible Solutions to the Barking Problem

Try to find out the exact problem. It might be easily solved—or the real problem might not be the dog at all.

Some common problems, such as barking or digging under fences, can be relatively easy to correct with proper training of both the dog and the owner. Often, local humane societies offer free advice and referrals to trainers or obedience schools. Before you talk to your neighbor, make a few phone calls and see if there are resources you can suggest during your talk.

Here are some possible ways to get the most from your negotiations:

• Write a friendly note or call to arrange a convenient time to talk. Don't blunder up some rainy evening when the neighbor is trying to drag groceries and kids in the house after work.
• If you think it's appropriate, take a little something to the meeting to break the ice: some vegetables from your garden, perhaps.
• Don't rush into threatening legal action (or worse, illegal action). There will be plenty of time to discuss legal remedies if relations deteriorate.
• Offer positive suggestions. Once you have established some rapport, you might want to suggest, tactfully, that the owner get help with the dog. Try saying something like: "You know, my friend Tom had the same problem with his dog, and since he's been taking the dog to ABC Obedience School classes, he and his neighbors are much happier." Of course, if you make suggestions too early in the process, the neighbor might resent your "interference."
• Try to agree on specific actions to alleviate the problem: for example, that the dog will be kept inside between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., not just that the owner will "try to keep Ranger quiet."
• After you agree on a plan, set a date to talk again in a couple of weeks. If your next meeting is already arranged, it will be easier for you to talk again. It won't look like you're badgering your neighbor, but will show that you're serious about getting the problem solved.

If none of that works, your next step is likely to look into what state or local laws say about barking dogs.

Barking can be a source of annoyance and frustration for neighbours. Barking is a natural behaviour of dogs so if there are dogs in the neighbourhood, there is an expectation that they will bark. Some dogs will bark at people walking by or cars driving past but once they have continued on their journey, the barking should cease. This barking can also act as a deterrent for would-be thieves or trespassers. It is when this becomes excessive that problems arise for owners, neighbours and the dog.

Reasons for barking

Dogs bark for many reasons and often relate to how the dog is feeling. A dog’s state of mind will vary and be influenced by previous experiences and environmental factors.

What is it that triggers barking? The main triggers include protecting territory when a noise is heard, warning to back away when feeling threatened, a need for company when left alone or frustration due to boredom. The good news is that by identifying the underlying cause, greater success will be gained in terms of implementing training, exercise and environmental enrichment strategies to help alleviate the barking problem. There may also be steps that neighbours can take to minimise a potential trigger.

If the barking is due to distress, then this may constitute a welfare problem and if not addressed, could lead to more behavioural disorders such as spinning and tail-grabbing and/or chasing.

If your neighbours are approachable, working with them to find a solution is a good first option. Explaining the impact that the barking is having, without becoming angry or judgemental, can help guide discussions towards resolving the problem. Even though you may like dogs or feel that the solution is not your responsibility, offering support in the first instance can encourage appropriate action, which may include seeking help from a reward based dog trainer or qualified animal behaviourist, especially if the dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. However, if approaching your neighbour directly is not an option, then reporting the complaint to the local authority may be necessary.

Using punishment including verbal abuse, rattling chains, spraying water or any other negative experience is not advisable as it may lead to further problems. Dogs can be trained using positive reinforcement (food treats, verbal praise etc) to reduce barking. This may involve you helping your neighbour to effectively desensitize the dog to certain activities that you may undertake which cause the barking.

For more information on reward based training visit:

RSPCA South Australia Lead by Example campaign

https://www.rspcasa.org.au/the-issues/lead-by-example

Pet Professional Guild Australia

https://www.ppgaustralia.net.au

The ‘Dealing with barking dogs' booklet outlines the steps you can take to prevent excessive barking.

Report abuse: If you suspect a dog is being mistreated, report animal cruelty to the RSPCA on 1300 278 3589.

Talk to your neighbour

First, talk to the dog's owner. They may not know their dog is bothering you.

Mediation

If the barking persists, contact a Community Justice Centre (CJC). These are government-funded independent centres that specialise in settling differences between neighbours. They can arrange mediation between yourself, the dog's owner and a CJC representative to help solve the problem. This process is free and has a high success rate.

Contact your local council

If mediation is unsuccessful and the noise problem persists, contact your local council. They can investigate your complaint and issue a nuisance order or prevention notice.

View list of local councils

Seek a noise abatement order

If you want to take action independently of the council, you can seek a noise abatement order from the local court. There are fees for applying for a noise abatement order.

Local court directory

Information about seeking noise abatement orders

Dogs that bark excessively can be a source of great irritation for neighbours.

This page will give you information that may help if you have a problem with your neighbour’s dog, or if you own dog is barking too much.

My neighbour's dog is barking excessively

Try talking to the dog's owner clearly and politely about the problem first.

They may not even be aware of the problem if the dog is only barking when they are out. You may be able to help them identify why the dog is barking.

Assist them by giving them this information.

The Dispute Settlement Centre provides free advice to help neighbours sort out problems such as barking dogs, phone 1300 372 888.

If all communication and approaches with your neighbour has failed, you can lodge a complaint with your local council.

Council may ask you to keep a diary for a few weeks, to record how often the dog is barking. This is so they can determine whether the barking is causing an unreasonable disturbance. You may also have to get support for your complaint from another neighbour who is affected by the barking dog.

Council may then issue a warning to the dog's owner, or a formal Notice to Comply to stop the barking. If this is not complied with, council can issue an infringement notice. If the problem still persists, council may proceed with legal action and seek a Court Order.

Do you have a dog that barks?

Barking is a natural behaviour for dogs; it is one way they communicate. But excessive barking is often a sign that something is 'wrong'. The first step in solving the problem is to determine why your dog is barking.

Common reasons why your dog may bark:

• Boredom – due to lack of physical or mental stimulation, exercise or company.
• Separation anxiety – being anxious when separated from family members.
• Seeking attention.
• Protecting territory – in response to people or other animals within or approaching its territories, it could be any passerby in the area surrounding its home.
• Fear – due to (thunder, fireworks, or other loud noises).
• Medical conditions – in response to pain or a painful condition due to illness or injury.
• Physical needs – (hungry or thirsty).

How to solve the problem

The first step it is to determine the type of bark your dog is expressing. The following questions can help you to decide on why your dog is barking.

• When and where does the barking occur?
• Who or what is the target of the barking?
• What things (objects, sounds, animals or people) trigger the barking?

Depending on why your dog is barking, you may need to:

• Take your dog to veterinarian if it is sick or injured. Be reminded that always rule out medical reasons before any attempts to modify dog’s behaviour.
• Take the dog on more frequent walks (once or twice daily) and include it on family outings, so it can explore the outside world more.
• Provide the dog with toys puzzles and play tricks with it to enhance mental stimulation and reduce boredom.
• If your dog has separation anxiety, counterconditioning might reduce or resolve the problem. Counterconditioning is a treatment process that changes an animal’s fearful, anxious or aggressive reaction to a pleasant, relaxed one instead. Talk to your vet, animal behaviouralist or trainer to get more information.
• Remove or avoid the cause of fear, e.g. reduce volume of television. If the source of fear is unavoidable, counterconditioning might help desensitising the cause of fear.
• If the dog is barking at passers-by or other animals, block its view of movement outside the property with solid fencing, shade cloth or hedging. Alternatively, if the source of provocation is a human (eg children teasing the dog), try to discuss the problem with them.

Training your dog

If you need help with dog training, ask your local council, vet or shelter for advice. They may be able to suggest an obedience club, a dog trainer or an animal behaviour specialist. Or search 'Dog Training' online or in the yellow pages.

It is important to remember that training takes time and persistence, and that you should never hit your dog.

Seek professional advice from a dog trainer or behaviourist.

Page last updated: 05 Nov 2020