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All dogs bark, but some barking dogs become a real neighbourhood nuisance - greatly reducing the quality of life for their neighbours. Barking is the most common animal behaviour problem Council is asked to deal with.
Ongoing barking is often a symptom of another problem and taking time to understand what makes dogs bark - especially your pet or other dogs in your neighbourhood - is the first step towards solving this problem.
Why dogs bark
- Dogs are social animals and often bark when they are lonely
- Separation from an owner can cause dogs stress
- Barking may also be the result of boredom and frustration
- Barking is a dog’s way of seeking attention from its owner
- Dogs bark out of fear – this can be fear of people, objects or other dogs
- Dogs bark when there is a threat to their territory
- Playing with your dog often stimulates barking
- Some breeds have a reputation for barking
Controlling the barking
The most important first step is to work out why your dog is barking. Once you know the symptom, you can find the cure. Barking can be controlled through several small behavioural changes. Some behavioural changes could be as small as walking your dog twice a day to relieve boredom.
Dogs are social animals and require a certain amount of interaction on a daily basis. If your dog barks when you are away from the premises it is probably due to loneliness.
An easy way of combating this is to provide your pet with stimulants such as balls and chew toys to keep them occupied while you are away. It can also be handy to leave a radio on and to leave something that belongs to you such as an old shoe.
If you can let your dog inside the house, provide your dog with a single room where odours relating to you can relax the dog. Try giving your dog a bone when you leave the house. This will teach your dog that when you leave there is a positive outcome.
A fence that is correctly designed to restrict your dog’s vision will help reduce barking. Obedience training and discipline are also very important when trying to stop a barking problem. A dog can be trained to be alone and to bark only on command.
My neighbour’s dog barks - what can I do?
Talk to your neighbour as soon as the problem arises. They may not be aware that their dog is barking or that their dog’s barking is bothering you. Give your neighbour this information and if the barking persists after a week or two, speak with your neighbour again to provide feedback.
If your neighbour is unapproachable, or does not agree that a problem exists, it would also be advantageous to contact the Dispute Resolution Centre on 3239 6007 to arrange a mediation session to assist in resolving the issue.
If mediation is unable to resolve the issue, the Council may be contacted for further advice.
Caboolture district
If a dog is causing a nuisance by barking, a detailed complaint must be received in writing to enable Council to take action.
Pine Rivers district
Local Law 42 Animal Control provides a general provision that animals must not cause a nuisance. This includes nuisance from barking dogs. It is policy for these complaints to be in writing before the matter is investigated. Considerable resources are expended by Council in dealing with nuisance dogs.
The Local Law provides for the de-registration and removal of a dog from the district where it has consistently been allowed to act as a nuisance.
Redcliffe district
Excessive barking is an offence and Council staff will respond to reported barking problems. As a general guide, if a dog barking exceeds three continuous minutes accumulated time in any hour, then it may be considered to be excessive.
Initially, Council will send a letter to the owner seeking voluntary compliance. If the problem continues and further complaints are reported, the Council will investigate. Irresponsible owners who fail to comply with Council recommendations will face significant penalties including infringement fines.
Council staff can help you with barking problems in the community so that you do not have to suffer the nuisance caused by dogs that make too much noise.
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