Barking Dogs
Information for dog owners and neighbours
Barking dogs: A dog owners guide
Barking is one way that dogs communicate and, in most cases, it does not cause problems.
While it may appear that dogs are barking for no reason, they are in fact trying to communicate something to their owner, or anyone who is willing to pay attention.
Persistent barking may indicate a dog is unhappy, bored and frustrated. It can also affect the comfort of people living in the vicinity of the dog. Dog owners should understand why dogs behave as they do and try to ensure that their dog does not cause a nuisance to neighbours through excessive barking.
What can I do?
To determine the best way to stop nuisance barking you need to know the cause. Nuisance barking may be a behavioural problem caused by anxiety or lack of exercise, companionship, or adequate stimulation.
Your vet or a dog-training club may be able to assist you determine the cause and suggest strategies to reduce the barking. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. You may need to try several strategies to achieve success.
Factsheet: Dealing with Barking Dogs(PDF, 349KB)
Is there other information to help?
We have other related information available through links if more information is needed, including if there may be other issues such as animal neglect or abuse
EPA fact sheet
Blacktown City Council’s Nuisance barking policy
Companion Animals Act
RSPCA website
Animal Welfare League website
What is nuisance barking?
A dog that makes a noise, by barking or otherwise, that persistently occurs or continues to such an extent that it unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort, or convenience of any person in another premises.
Nuisance barking can be determined in several ways:
- It could be the length of time the dog/s are barking, for example nonstop barking for up to half an hour or longer
- It could be the number of barking episodes occurring within a certain time frame, for example barking for five minutes, break for two minutes then barking again for six minutes and continues to bark in this type of pattern up to an hour or longer
A dog’s barking if excessive, can be a problem for your neighbour/s, causing the neighbour/s stress, anxiety and even loss of sleep.
What to do first
Contact your neighbour
If your neighbours dog is causing a nuisance through excessive barking, your first step could be to approach your neighbour. Your neighbour may not be aware there is a problem, particularly if the nuisance barking occurs when your neighbours are not at home.
Approaching your neighbour can be either face to face, or in writing advising them of the problem.
Here is an example of a letter that could assist you if you decide to inform your neighbour about the barking dog
Barking dog Courtesy letter(PDF, 10KB)
Next steps
Lodge a complaint with Council
If all else fails, you can lodge a formal complaint with Council.
Please note we will not accept complaints via phone, email or written. Click here to access the online complaint form
The process
Note: The requirement to obtain written agreeance from 3 adjoining properties to give evidence in court is in both the EPA and the Blacktown City Councils policy on Nuisance barking
Click here to access the nuisance barking diary
Barking Dog Diary(PDF, 286KB)