Noisy Animals and Barking Dogs

By far the greatest number of complaints we receive about noisy animals relates to barking dogs.

It's normal for dogs to bark, however, when that barking turns to loud and continuous barking or frequent bursts of barking throughout the day and night, it can amount to a serious noise nuisance.

I'm disturbed by a barking dog, what should I do?

• Often an owner may be unaware their dog is causing a problem, so before contacting Environmental Health & Licensing try to discuss the problem with them.
• Next consider writing a polite letter, explaining how the dogs barking affects you. You could use our |template letters as guidance. Remember to keep a copy.
• Consider |mediation with the dog owner. Try to arrive at an amiable solution.

If the above approach fails, start gathering evidence.

• You can print our |nuisance record sheet and begin logging the instances of barking.
• Consider collecting evidence. Using a digital camera or mobile phone you can record incidents of the dog barking. See |guide to gathering evidence.
• Register your complaint using our |online noise reporting form and upload any nuisance record sheets and audio/visual recordings at the same time.

A barking dog complaint will be treated in the same way as any other noise complaint and could lead to us serving a Statutory Noise Abatement Notice on the owner of the dog.

My dog barks a lot, what can I do?

• The more tired a dog is the less it will bark - organise regular exercise.
• Do not let your dog bark or whine for long periods or leave it alone for long periods.
• Try not to excite your dog too much when playing as this will lead to barking - try to keep it calm.
• Do not leave your dog outside late at night or very early in the morning if it is prone to barking.
• Consider seeking professional advice from a vet or pet behaviour specialist.
• See |DEFRA leaflet - Is your dog barking too much?