Barking complaints

Different people have different tolerance levels for barking. What one person considers a nuisance may not disturb someone else. Council has therefore defined nuisance barking in its Local Laws as:

• Barking noise that disrupts or inhibits an activity ordinarily carried out on adjoining or nearby residential premises, such as holding a conversation or sleeping.

Under the Local Laws, the keeper of a dog must ensure that the dog does not cause an unreasonable nuisance. Some of the criteria that Council will consider when deciding whether a nuisance is unreasonable include:

1. The number and location of complaints received
2. The duration of the noise

Some examples of common complaints received by Council that are not considered an unreasonable noise nuisance are:

• Territorial barking, for example barking at someone walking past the property
• Dogs barking at the postie
• Dogs barking at other dogs being walked

We can only take action once it is established a barking noise is unreasonable.

Before you make a formal complaint we encourage you to work with your neighbour.

Many dog owners are unaware their pet is causing a problem because their dog mainly barks when they are away from home. Sometimes all it takes to fix excessive barking is a friendly chat with your neighbour.

When talking to your neighbour it is helpful to provide some details of the problem barking, such as when the barking happens and any factors which may be contributing to the barking, for instance the postman riding passed.

If you are uncomfortable talking to your neighbour, you can download a letter template ( PDF, 0.1 MB ) and pop it in your neighbour's letterbox. You can leave the letter anonymously or include your contact details.

A good neighbour will take steps to address nuisance barking but this can take some time. Allow at least 14 days for your neighbour to come up with a solution.

If you make a formal complaint about nuisance barking to Council we will:

Notify the dog owner

Send an official letter to the dog owner letting them know a complaint has been made and provide information on common causes of excessive barking and how it can be addressed.

We do not tell the dog owner who made the complaint.

At this point your neighbour may contact you (and other people living in the area) to get a better understanding of when and why their dog is barking. It is useful if you can provide details such as the time of day barking occurs and any triggers such as the postman driving past.

Notify you

Council will notify you in writing confirming we have received your complaint. The letter will include a guide to resolving dog barking issues in your neighbourhood, a formal complaint form, and an animal noise diary.

What you need to do

Council needs to establish that a barking nuisance has occurred and that the noise is unreasonable, and we need your help to do this.

If excessive barking continues after 7 days of receiving your confirmation letter from Council, please complete the formal complaint form and the animal noise diary. The animal noise diary must be completed for a period of 14 consecutive days. This is important for substantiating that nuisance barking is occurring.

You will need to return both the formal complaint form and the animal noise diary to Council within 28 days from the date the letter was issued to you.

Next steps

If the animal noise diary is not returned to Council, there will be no further investigation on the matter.

If you complete the animal noise diary and return it to Council with a completed formal complaint form, Council will assign a Local Laws officer to investigate the matter to verify the extent of the barking behaviour.

Council officers will advise you of the outcome of the investigation.

Possible outcomes

No evidence of nuisance barking

Council is unable to take further action if it finds there is no evidence of nuisance barking or that it is not considered unreasonable in the circumstances.

Evidence of nuisance barking

If Council finds there is evidence of unreasonable nuisance barking, Council can issue the dog owner with:

• A compliance notice warning of possible penalties unless action is taken to prevent the dog from barking excessively.
• A Penalty Infringement Notice (a fine) if the barking persists.

Council will attempt to work with the dog owner so that a long-term solution can be achieved. Your understanding that this may take some time is appreciated.

Most dogs tend to bark more when their owner isn’t at home. You may not realise your dog’s barking is annoying your neighbours.

Most dogs will bark if they are:

• Bored
• Lonely
• Anxious of frightened
• Hungry or thirsty
• Uncomfortable (too hot or cold, in a cramped area)
• Seeking attention
• Sick or injured
• Feeling threatened

Make sure your pet has water, food and shade, and if they need to be tied up, a long rope or chain, so they can move around.

A tired dog will not bark if it is resting or sleeping. Exercise will certainly help, as will providing plenty of mental stimulation.

Training: is a great mix of exercise and mental stimulation. There are many dog trainers in Cairns who offer formal training (in classes or one-on-one) which you can then practice at home. An internet search will also come up with online courses and videos that you can use to learn the basics.

Walking: a walk is great exercise but it also provides plenty of stimulation as your dog explores new places, sees new things and experiences new smells. If your dog is well socialised, they can also meet other dogs that are also out on a walk. Remember to always walk your dog on a lead, and never assume that other dogs and people you meet will want to make friends.

Dog parks: there are 51 off-leash areas in Cairns where your dog can socialise with other pets and really stretch their legs. Only take your dog to a dog park if they will return to you on command. Some dogs can be overwhelmed by a lot of other pets, people and noise, and become aggressive. If your pooch is anxious or gets scared easily the dog park may not be for you.

Play: you don’t need to leave your home to provide great physical and mental stimulation for your dog. There are great games your can play indoors and outdoors, such as fetch, tug-o-war, and hide and seek, using everyday items. There’s also plenty of games and toys available online or at your supermarket or pet shop.

Going for a drive: can be just as stimulating for your dog as a walk. Make sure to safely secure your pet.

Bored dogs will bark to get attention with the hope someone will help relieve their boredom. Here’s some simple ideas for keeping your dog entertained while you are away.

Food: dogs will gobble up food quickly, however a food toy that’s designed to make your pet ‘work’ for their meal will keep them occupied much longer. You can also create a hide and seek game, by scattering their food or treats around the yard. A meaty bone or doggy ice block (freezing a bone or treats in container filled with water or broth) are other easy options.

Toys: there is an extensive range of pet toys that are designed to stimulate your pet. Make sure to change your pet’s toys regularly so they don’t get tired of them. If your dog likes digging, you can create a digging heaven by burying some treats – a clam shell pool filled with dirt or sand is great for this.

You can make a lot of pet toys and food toys cheaply or at no cost from items you have around the home, especially things that would normally go in the recycling bin. Search the internet for How To instructions.

Dogs are pack animals by nature and generally don’t like to be alone.

Perhaps you have a friend or family member who stop by during the day; consider hiring a dog walker for a mid-day or afternoon walk; or look into Doggy Daycare. A ‘play date’ with a friend or relative’s dog will also help meet your pet’s social needs.

We value our dogs for their companionship, but they also provide security. It’s not surprising then that they will bark to ‘protect’ their home.

Protective barking, for instance barking at the postman, or people and other pets walking past the house, is quite natural. Barking is often short, but it can add up during the day to cause neighbourhood frustration.

Blocking your pet’s view of the street, for instance lining your fence with garden mesh or plastic, can help, or, if possible, keep your dog in the backyard, away from distractions.

The most common form of anxiety in dogs is separation anxiety – they don’t want to be away from their human family. They are also very clever and pick up habits and patterns quickly, allowing them to anticipate when you will be away.

Leave home without a fuss: when you make a big deal of leaving home (extra pats etc) your dog will become accustomed to the extra attention and associate this with an upcoming period of loneliness.

Vary your routine: dogs pick up patterns quickly. If you can, vary when you leave or return home to ‘break the cycle’.

Leave the radio on: some dogs respond well to the comforting sound of the radio or TV as it simulates someone being at home.

Get them used to being alone, even when you’re home: if your dog follows you everywhere, they will be distressed if you aren’t around. Give your dog ‘alone time’ at home, and get them used to being outside by themselves.

If your dog is suffering from another form of anxiety, you may need professional assistance from a dog behaviourist or your vet to identify the cause and treatment.