Barking Dogs

Dogs that bark excessively often become a major problem in our community. Some people think it is normal for dogs to bark consistently. It isn't.

Barking dogs are a nuisance and are not conducive to good neighbourly relations. Constant barking usually means the dog is bored, lonely, frustrated or ill.

What the Law Says about Barking Dogs

The Domestic Animals Act 1994 defines animal noise nuisance as a dog (or cat) that:

“Creates a noise by barking or similar that persistently occurs or continues to such a degree or extent that it unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person in any other premises.”

A dog owner must not allow their dog to create a nuisance.

Council takes all barking dog complaints seriously where the complaint can be substantiated. If a barking dog problem cannot be resolved, fines can be issued or the matter may be referred to court to obtain a court order requiring the dog’s owner to take action to resolve the problem.

Why Dogs Bark

Dogs can bark to alert their owners of trouble such as an intruder entering the property or perhaps a house or bush fire.

A dog's idea of an 'intruder' may differ to that of the owner. It could think cats, possums, other dogs or even birds flying across the property as 'intruders'. It is the owner's responsibility to train the dog not to bark at these regular, non-threatening 'intruders' or occasional normal domestic noises or movements in neighbouring properties.

Some Reasons that Dogs Bark

Lack of exercise, inadequate yard space or boredom

Loneliness, lacking human company

Dogs are social animals and enjoy the companionship of other dogs and of their owners. Those that are left for long periods of time without companionship can become discontented or lonely.

Dogs need to interact with other dogs and with people to keep them stimulated. Dogs that are not permitted to have regular socialisation with other animals and humans can become destructive, fearful, or bark excessively as a plea for attention.

In the owner's absence, an old jumper containing the owner's scent may comfort the dog. A radio left on inside the house may give the dog the impression that it is not alone on the property. The radio may also help deter potential intruders.

Inadequate shelter

Hunger or thirst

Medical condition

Provocation, disturbances or movement outside the dog's property

Change to family structure

Family changes can include a reduction in the family such as marital separation, death or family members moving away. Alternatively, the changes may be a result of expansion to the family, for example marriage, a partner moving in, children returning home, taking in boarders and especially when a new baby arrives in the family.

When there is a decrease in the family for whatever reason, this can cause confusion and insecurity within the dog resulting in what humans may determine as behavioural problems.

People understand that during marital separation, when family members move away or there is a death in the family the other family members grieve and feel the loss of that member. The family dog will also feel the loss and will mourn for the missing family member.

Dogs can bark, howl and whimper as a way of dealing with the loss of one of the family members. The way humans react to changes can directly affect the behaviour of their pets. In times of family reduction, the family pet may require comforting and reassuring.

Moving house

When families move house, it causes a time of upheaval, stress and insecurity. A period of time is required for the re-adjustment into a new house and new neighbourhood.

Dogs are territorial creatures and when they are removed for their home territory, they can become insecure and stressed resulting in several behavioural problems. The dog may try to jump the fence or dig out in an attempt to find its way back to its own territory or it may bark and howl in its distress and insecurity.

Humans base their home on the place they live and keep their possessions. A dog's territory is based on the area that the dog has claimed as its own by scent-marking landmarks to define the dog's territory.

When a family moves home it cannot be assumed that a kennel placed in the back yard will be accepted as the dog's new home. All of the landmarks that have been scent marked by the dog have been taken away from the dog. Until the dog can re-establish a new home territory that it can claim for itself, the dog may be insecure and may display unsettled behaviour.

When moving house, the dog owner needs to comfort, reassure and assist the dog in establishing its new territorial home.

Dog Behaviour

Leaving Your Dog Home Alone

What can be done about a Barking Dog

The Dog Owner's Neighbour

Barking dog problems can sometimes be solved by approaching the dog's owner in a neighbourly manner and discussing your concerns with them. Or you could write a politely-worded note and put it in their mailbox, if you do not feel comfortable speaking with them.

The following points need to be considered:

The dog's owner may not realise that the barking is causing an annoyance to other people
The dog may only bark excessively when the owner is not home
The owner may not hear the barking from various areas within the house
The owner may be a very sound sleeper and not be woken when the dog barks.

If you are unable to resolve the matter with your neighbour or if you do not feel comfortable contacting your neighbour, you can contact Council with as much information as possible including:

Your name and mailing address
Your contact phone number
Property address where the dog is located
When the dog barks and for how long
The effect the barking has on your well-being.

The Dog's Owner

You should work through the above list of reasons that dogs can bark and understand and address the issue.

As many dogs behave differently when their owners are away from home, you may also consider monitoring your dog by using one of many recording applications that are available on the Internet for smart phones and tablet devices. A search of the Internet for barking dog monitor should provide a few choices.

You can use apps to record your dog while you are not at home and then be able to assess the extent of the issues. If you need some advice about using the apps, you can contact Council for further help.

Simple Tips to Reduce Barking

Ensure that your dog has adequate exercise - walk your dog daily
Alter feeding times
Provide toys at different intervals in an attempt to alleviate any boredom your dog may have from living in a backyard.
Make sure you do not reward your dog for barking too much. Do not let the dog inside or give it attention when it barks. Instead, give the dog attention when it is quiet.
If your dog is barking at people or noises on the other side of a fence, move the dog to another part of the yard, or put up a barrier to keep the dog away from that area.
If your dog barks at regular disturbances such as children walking to school or rubbish trucks, keep the dog inside or in an enclosed area at these times.
If your dog races along a path or fence barking at passing distractions, put barriers or obstacles in the dog’s way to slow it down.
Make sure that your dog has food, water and shelter from the weather.
If your dog is barking at gaps and cracks in the fence, fill them in.
If your dog is barking at people it can see passing by, try blocking the dog’s view.
Teach your dog to stop barking on command. When the dog is barking give a firm command such as “cease” and call the dog to you. Praise the dog when it stops barking.
Attend a local dog obedience training school - there are also established services available that will provide professional advice on preventing behavioural problems, such as barking
Please see your vet or a pet organisation for advice on other methods to limit barking.

Other useful information:

Agriculture Victoria - Barking Dogs
Dogs Victoria - 9788 2500 - www.dogsvictoria.org.au

Council

If a barking dog complaint is made to Council, we will:

Contact the dog owner in writing to:

Advise them that a complaint has been received and ask that they monitor their dog to assess the extent (if any) of the barking.
Provide information about barking nuisance and our process.
Send them barking dog behaviour information.
Ask them to contact council.
Further information and advice if required.

NOTE: A period of 14 days is generally allowed for the dog owner to firstly assess the issue, and to take action to make improvements if necessary.

Contact the person making the complaint in writing

Advising them of Council's processes and provide further information.
Supplying them with a Complaint form which includes a Log of Nuisance form.
Advising them that we have contacted the dog owner.
Advising them that if, after an initial period of approximately two weeks, the issues have not improved, to contact Council to advise of the situation and return the completed Log of Nuisance to council for further investigation.

AFTER the letters have been sent:

If after a week or so from receiving Council’s letter the person making the complaint believes the barking behaviour has not improved, the complainant will need to advise Council, complete the log of nuisance forms for another 10 to 14 days and return the completed forms to council.
Once Council receives the completed forms, contact is made with both the dog owner and the resident affected to discuss the matter further.
Unless the Council receives the complaint form and logs in writing, then Council may not be able to help any further. These are required for Council to determine the best course of action with the dog owner. Council cannot act on repeated phone complaints.

NOTE: Council Officers do not get involved in neighbour disputes and may conduct their own investigation to substantiate a nuisance complaint objectively without taking one person’s word over another.

IMPORTANT: Council does not initially tell the dog owner the identity of the resident who has complained about the barking dog. Complainants should be aware that they may be required to give evidence in Court to support their complaint should the alleged nuisance remain unresolved. At that point your identity will become known to the dog owner.

You are here