Dog face

Barking is a natural behaviour. Dogs may bark for many reasons but excessive barking can have a negative impact on neighbours and other animals.

Tips on preventing excessive barking

  • Get advice from a qualified dog trainer
  • Consult your vet and rule out any health issues
  • Take your dog for daily walks and give them plenty of exercise
  • Provide your dog with toys and sources of entertainment
  • Make sure your dog’s environment is adequate for their size, breed and age
  • Dogs may bark when they can see the street so consider blocking the view.

Report a barking dog

  • Talk to the owner first
  • If you aren’t able to resolve the issue, contact Council using the Report a barking dog form 
  • We'll notify the owner of a complaint and ask them to address the problem within four weeks
  • If the dog continues to bark after four weeks, you and a neighbour can record the instances of barking over 14 days in a Barking Dog Diary - PDF - 240 KB. Contact us for a reference number.
  • We’ll review these records and compare them to evidence collected by an investigating officer. This will help us decide if this will be considered a ‘nuisance dog’ matter according to the Companion Animals Act 1998 -Sect 32A.

Animal welfare concerns

If you suspect a dog is barking because of neglect or abandonment, please contact the RSPCA.