Dog barking

Report a barking dog

It’s normal and natural for dogs to bark.  

But when barking happens a lot, goes on for a long time, or at antisocial times, it can be annoying and upsetting for the neighbours. A dog may bark if it is bored, anxious, wants attention, doesn’t want to be alone or can see and hear people or other animals. A common cause of dog barking is being left alone, for example while the owner is at work. In these cases, often the dog’s owner is unaware of the problem. 

How to deal with dog barking

If a dog’s barking is causing you a problem, it is best to approach your neighbour in the first instance. Telling them you popped by because you thought something might be wrong avoids direct confrontation.

If you feel this approach won’t work, you could tell your neighbour that you’re having difficulty getting to sleep as a result of the dog barking, if it is happening at night. This will emphasise that the barking is causing you a problem. If you feel you are unable to approach your neighbour, then you can contact the council and we will advise the dog owner that a complaint has been made, while keeping your identity anonymous.

Advice for dog owners

If you have received a complaint about the noise your dog makes, stay calm, and try to see it from their point of view: perhaps they are working shifts, or have got a baby or small children.  Bear in mind they might be worried about whether the dog is okay and remember, you might not know how serious the problem is if your dog is barking more when you’re not at home.  

Speak to your neighbours and ask them if they have noticed your dog barking excessively, and if so, when. If you are out a lot, ask them to note down the times when the barking happens. If you are in, make a note yourself. 

How we deal with barking complaints

Barking dog complaints are dealt with in a similar way to any other noise complaint. Initially, we advise you to let the dog owner know. If this action does not cause the barking to stop, please contact environmental services.

We will require details, including your name and address, plus the address where the dog lives. Each complaint is treated confidentially, and you will remain anonymous.

We will initially contact the owners to inform them of the issue and give advice on how to stop the dog barking. We will also provide you with diary sheets to complete, noting down the times and duration of each barking incident.

On return of the diary sheets, we will assess if further action is necessary.  

Ideas to stop dogs barking 

• find out what is making the dog bark and if you can, prevent the dog from seeing, hearing or smelling it  
• keep the dog away from windows or close the curtains, so it can’t see people or other animals
• put the radio or television on at a low level to drown out offending noises, and reassure them
• if your dog barks at things outside your yard or garden, don’t let them go outside on their own  
• try to keep your dog calm - if they bark when excited, don’t play with them at antisocial times like very late at night
• consider employing a dog walker, or ask a trusted person to care for your dog if you plan to be away for longer than four hours  
• take your dog out for exercise before you leave for work, or try some mentally stimulating games and training - a tired dog is a quiet dog
• problem solving to find food is a very natural thing for dogs to do, so we can use this in many ways to encourage them to use their brains and keep them happy
• buy an interactive toy such as a Kong. These toys can be filled with food and treats so that your dog has to work to get them out. Licking is a calming action for a dog
• try a clear plastic soft drink bottle; wash it out thoroughly and cut a few holes in the sides. Half fill the bottle with small treats or dry food and encourage your dog to roll it around the floor, so that the treats fall out - Remember not to put the cap back on as it could come off and the dog could swallow or choke on it
• scatter dry food and treats around your house. Hide food under cushions or behind easily accessible furniture. This encourages scavenging behaviour
• use a fairly large cardboard box (depending on your dog’s size) and fill it with treats and layers of scrunched up newspaper and blankets. Your dog will have a lot of fun digging and pulling out the stuffing to get to the treats
• provide your dog with chew toys and treats. Try synthetic bones, dental chews, pigs’ ears, large raw meaty bones or natural rawhide chews, but always check that these are suitable for your dog, and are safe to be left unsupervised
• rotate the chews and toys every day, so that your dog doesn’t get bored with them
• if your dog suffers from separation anxiety or excessive barking, you may need to seek the help of a qualified dog behaviourist or trainer  
• the Dogs Trust has further advice on stopping dog barking on their website