Barking dogs

Our Animal Services team can only become actively involved in a complaint if we have reasonable grounds under the Dog Control Act 1996 to believe that the dog is persistently and loudly barking (or howling).

If a dog is barking constantly throughout the day and night, or if it is barking aggressively when you pass by, we may well have grounds to do something about it. This could include:

• Phoning or visiting the owner to speak with them with some advice to reduce barking. We will try to work out a way with them to stop or reduce the barking.
• Issuing a warning letter, requiring that they must do something to stop the barking within seven days.
• Issuing a letter telling the owner that they must remove the dog from the property within seven days. If this does not happen, Animal Control Officers may then remove the dog. The dog cannot return to that property again.

We do need to be fair. For instance, if the dog barks for just a few minutes two or three times during the day, we would not consider this loud and persistent, because it is not reasonable to expect a dog to be quiet all the time.

Barking is normal dog behaviour, but frequent or prolonged barking can become a problem for neighbours. Understanding why your dog is barking is an important first step.

There are different reasons for your dog's barking:

1. Alert or warning barking
2. Fear or startled barking
3. Attention seeking barking
4. Play or excitement barking
5. Bored, lonely or anxious barking

Below are some tips for helping your dog avoid loud and persistent barking:

• Keep your dog active. Regular physical exercise, mental enrichment, play and interaction can help reduce barking caused by boredom.
• Provide things to do: toys, enrichment activities and a stimulating environment can help keep dogs occupied when they are alone.
• Look for triggers: your dog may be reacting to people, other animals (i.e. dogs, birds, and cats), vehicles or activity around your property. Reducing their ability to see or access these triggers may help.
• If you hear your dog barking interrupt the behaviour through bringing them inside or distracting them. If your dog continuously goes to one area of the property to bark a good option would be not to allow them access to that area.
• If your dog mainly barks when left alone, separation anxiety or distress may be contributing to the behaviour. Make sure they have access to something with your scent like a t-shirt or other large clothing item.
• Be a considerate neighbour. If you know your dog barks while you are away, take steps to address it like providing enrichment toys, having a dog walker take your dog out during the day or send the dog to day care while you are at work, rather than assuming it will settle by itself.
• Persistent barking can have several causes, so consider seeking advice from a suitably qualified dog trainer or behaviour professional.