Barking dogs

Dogs are an important part of our community. A dog might bark with excitement whilst playing with their favourite toy, or bark to warn of a threat approaching their properties. Whilst these behaviours are a normal way for them to express their emotions, dogs that bark excessively can become a nuisance and cause friction between neighbours.

The first step to resolving a barking dog concern is to have a conversation with the owner of the barking dog. In some instances, the owner may not be aware that their dog is barking or causing a nuisance to other people. If you don't feel comfortable speaking with the dog owner, you can send a letter to the owner to outline your concerns. See the 'Further Information' tab for a template letter to help.

Reasons a dog might bark

There are many reasons that a dog might bark, including:

Boredom due to lack of physical or mental stimulation
Separation anxiety being anxious when separated from family members
Seeking attention
Protecting its territory from a perceived threat
Fear (thunder, fireworks, or other loud noises)
Medical conditions
Physical needs are not being met (hungry or thirsty)

The dog owner may not be aware their dog is barking, especially if the dog is experiencing separation anxiety once the owner leaves or becomes bored when they're on their own.

Preventing nuisance barking

Understanding why your dog is barking excessively can help resolve the issue.

Some ways to prevent a dog barking include:

Taking your dog for frequent walks, once or twice a day. Dogs need to socialise and experience the sounds and smells of walks outside. Check our interactive dog map to find the nearest park or leash-free area to you.
Ensuring that your dog is in good health and has fresh water, a balanced diet, adequate shelter from weather extremes and dog toys.
Taking your dog to obedience classes and practicing what you learn regularly.
Preventing your dog from having a view of passing pedestrians and other dogs with solid fencing, shade cloth or hedges.
Training your dog not to nuisance bark. Some owners keep their noisy pet inside their house while they are out, leave an old piece of clothing with the pet that has the owners' scent, or with a radio playing. This is often enough to console the pet while they are away.

For further information, see Animal Welfare Victoria's Barking Dog page or the RSPCA's excessive barking advice.

Barking dog complaints

If you have tried speaking with your neighbour about their barking dog or used our template letter and the matter has not resolved, you can lodge a barking dog complaint.

To successfully resolve the complaint, a Shire Officer will contact the dog owner (without disclosing your details) and inform them of the issue. In many cases, the owner is unaware that the dog is creating a nuisance, and the owner will be able to resolve the matter quickly.

Whilst the initial investigation is undertaken, you will be asked to fill out a 14-day 'barking dog diary' and return it to the investigating Officer. This will assist Officers in determining if the barking constitutes a nuisance. We understand this can be a long and frustrating process for those affected by the barking, but Shire Officers will work with the dog owner to try and reduce the barking in the meantime.

It’s important to note that whilst barking may be annoying, it may not be enough to meet the threshold of a nuisance as determined by section 32 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

You can lodge a barking dog complaint online below or contact the Shire.

Lodge a barking dog complaint