Dealing with Barking Dogs

Originally written by Jeff Durham, updated by the editorial team on 13th April 2026

Why Dogs Bark

Barking is how dogs communicate, and most people accept a certain amount of it. A dog barking when someone comes to the door or when something unusual happens in the street is normal. The problem starts when the barking is constant, goes on for hours, or happens at night.

If speaking to your neighbour doesn't resolve the issue, you may need to put your concerns in writing using our free Noise Complaint Letter Builder.

Dogs that bark excessively are often bored, anxious, or untrained. A common cause is separation anxiety: the dog barks when the owner leaves and cannot cope with being alone. The owner often has no idea, because the dog stops when they return. Persistent barking can also signal a health problem, so mentioning this to the owner may prompt them to get the dog checked by a vet.

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Talk to Your Neighbour First

Before doing anything formal, speak to your neighbour. Most people do not want their dog to be a nuisance and may not realise there is a problem. Approach it with concern rather than complaint: "I just wanted to check everything's OK, your dog's been barking quite a lot when you're out" gets the point across without starting a row.

If you are not comfortable knocking on their door, a polite note works just as well. Stick to the facts: when the barking happens, how long it lasts, and the effect it has on you. If that does not work, follow up with a more formal letter making clear you will take the matter further: our letter template for a barking dog complaint gives you the wording.

Keep a diary from the start: dates, times, duration. This will be useful if you need to involve the council. If direct communication has broken down, community mediation services are available in most areas and can help both sides reach an agreement.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Reporting It to the Council

If talking does not resolve things, contact your local council's environmental health team. Do not call the police or the RSPCA unless there is a separate concern about the dog's welfare or safety: barking complaints are handled as a noise nuisance matter by the council.

The council will usually ask you to fill in log sheets recording when the barking happens, though the process varies. Some may send an officer to assess the situation or install noise monitoring equipment in your home.

In most cases the officer will first advise the owner on how to deal with the problem: training, exercise, not leaving the dog alone for long periods, or using a dog walker. Many owners are genuinely embarrassed and willing to make changes once they understand the impact.

If informal advice does not work, the council can serve an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This legally requires the owner to stop the nuisance, usually within around 21 days. If ignored, the council can prosecute. Fines on conviction can reach £5,000 for a domestic property, with additional daily fines if the nuisance continues. In extreme cases, the court can order the dog to be removed, though this is rare.

You can also take private action yourself under section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by applying directly to the magistrates' court. You will need to give the owner written notice of your intention and present evidence that a statutory nuisance exists. Get legal advice before going down this route: Citizens Advice can point you in the right direction, and some solicitors offer a free initial consultation.

Keeping Your Own Dog in Check

If you have a dog, make sure it is not causing problems for your own neighbours. Dogs that are walked regularly, given enough stimulation, and trained not to bark at every passing noise are far less likely to become a nuisance. If your dog barks when you are out, ask a neighbour to let you know. Training classes and behaviourists can help with persistent barking, and your vet can advise if anxiety might be a factor.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Noise Meter lets you use your phone or computer to measure noise levels and keep a dated record with notes. Export as evidence for your council or environmental health officer. All data stays on your device. Try it now →

Showing 20 of 517 questions

Ask Problem Neighbours a Question

ProblemNeighbours Editor 01/07/2026 at 4:32 pm

@Bunnykins Ultrasonic dog whistles like the Acme Silent 535 are widely available on Amazon and at pet shops, and they're not harmful when used briefly and sensibly. There are also plug-in ultrasonic devices such as the PetSafe Outdoor Bark Control, though results vary depending on the dog and how thick your walls are. Worth having a friendly word with the owner first if you haven't already, as they may not realise the barking carries. If it continues, your local council's Environmental Health team can help with persistent noise complaints.

Bunnykins 01/07/2026 at 4:22 pm

Can anyone recommend a 'Whistle' ( not harmful )
I am troubled by dogs barking in the flat next to me.

ProblemNeighbours Editor 13/04/2026 at 8:30 am

@Mo I'm so sorry you're dealing with this stressful situation in what should be your peaceful retirement home. Contacting the council is definitely the right step, as they have powers to address noise nuisances.

Mo 04/08/2024 at 8:33 am

I recently moved to a bungalow for my retirement. However, l didn't know there would be dogs all around me. My neighbour is a widow in her 70's and bought a poodle pub 3 years ago. She can't control him and he barks constantly the noise coming through the walls shakes the place. He sits on the window sill all day barking at the slightest thing. At the side of me l have a young woman who has two Yorkie s. She let's them run in and out the house all day barking. She works from home and just neglects them. They constantly bark at me when they hear me, and it turns into a frenzy! It's really threatening! They try to get through the fence and would attack me if they could. It's constant and coming from all directions. I have written to this woman but she didn't reply, she just ignored me. It's driving me insane, l can't go out to hang washing and have to creap round my garden. I am writing to the council but don't think they can do anything. I have been a dog owner and loved fogs, but now dog's are taking over it's a shame dogs can't pick their owners.

Inthegarden 19/10/2023 at 6:33 am

@slaphead haha that’s a funny one! I’ve tried ear plugs all different types and prices. None fully block out sound. And in reply to Burgess - “Clive and Emma have got Penny the dog who keeps barking next door, I think we'll forget the neighbours dog and move somewhere like South Hams, which is the quietest.” - i live in one of the most rural places in the south hams yet and kept awake by dogs howling… go figure.

Slaphead 19/10/2023 at 1:13 am

Funny how articles do not suggest getting ear plugs.

Alec Trician 30/08/2023 at 9:41 pm

I use a Big Cheese Mega-Sonic multi speaker anti bark device at night. It is externally rated and it has silenced my ignorant neighbours dogs which are in the garden all night with the patio doors open. Or should I say were in the garden all night.

Kotoy 27/08/2023 at 10:03 pm

I have a neighbor who locks his dogs in the house, goes to another location, and barks all night. This happens every day. What could I do???

At wits end 13/08/2023 at 10:58 pm

Where i live there are 12 houses and 10 dogs!! Two houses at the back of me have 4 dogs between them. One of the houses has patio doors that are open from 8.00am until 11pm EVERY DAY!! They have dogs that have got separation anxiety and when they put them out and if they close the door they wail and scream and bark until they let them back in which can be anything up to an hour. Then they open the patio door so that the dogs can come and go as they please but they bark at the slightest sound- putting washing out or rubbish out is impossible, even going to the toilet sets them off as they can hear me in my bathroom and forget sitting in the garden or even having windows open in hot weather that is just not possible at all. To make matters worse, when they have the patio doors open they turn the volume up so loud on the TV in the kitchen, so that the dogs don't hear anything to make them bark and that is just as bad!! I am seriously at my wits end and I have shouted at the dogs to shut up and I have played loud music so I don't hear them in my house as turning my TV up isn't enough but all that does is stress me out and cause arguments between me and my elderly mother that I have started wearing ear defenders in the house which is ridiculous- I shouldn't have to do this in my own home!! Bring back dog licensing as it seems that in the uk it's the fashion to have a designer dog- so glad for them that they can afford one! It would help in regards to illegal breeding as well. A lot of people don't know how to look after them properly and have no consideration for anyone else but, you also have the ones that treat them like they are their children and if you dare say anything then you are the one with a problem and how dare you say anything because it's a dog and that's what dogs do! I am looking for somewhere else to live now as I can't cope with it and it is driving me round the bend as it isn't going to get better anytime soon.

Burgess 09/08/2023 at 1:37 pm

Clive and Emma have got Penny the dog who keeps barking next door, I think we'll forget the neighbours dog and move somewhere like South Hams, which is the quietest.

Clive and Emma's parents have a annoying, loud brown dog who barks outside their terrace at No.3 next door and their friends have an annoying child or children who played basketball with the neighbours daughters we don't know.

Maz 20/07/2023 at 1:47 pm

We have a neighbours 1 works from home other has a job we loved sitting in our garden but everytime we go into garden dog barks none stop so can't enjoy our garden now dog just goes in n out of its house as door open we love dogs just want too have peace in our garden we have tried talking to it n giving it treats still barks it can smell just coming into garden can talk to them as they would just fall out what is best solution

Lou 06/07/2023 at 8:43 pm

I currently live next door to 2 women who have 5 dogs. Our houses are fairly small and we are attached. The dogs bark at everything and all hours of the day. A bird can set them off or a cow in the field behind us. People coming to the door or my door set them off. It is so loud that you can’t hear my TV or concentrate. When I’m at home working and they have a barking episode, I have to mute my teams calls just so others can hear the conversation properly. It is really stressing me out and is also causing a bit rift between me and my daughter. It frustrates both of us and we end up arguing over it. I rent my home and they own theirs. I daren’t complain incase they get nasty (I know they can be). I also don’t want to seem like I’m being a pain and causing trouble. So fed up.

Edd 24/06/2023 at 9:02 am

This is a severe problem and cannot be overstressed. Most people who allow their dog to bark are poor owners. I have moved house and will move again because of this problem. We are not all dog lovers and some of us enjoy peace and quiet in the garden. Me I’d have a ban on all dogs. I’ve had enough of having to put up with it.

Malisa 24/05/2023 at 2:48 pm

Me an husband lives beside neighbors who has barking dog who barks morning noon night the dog pee an poop is in the air we an other neighbors complained about the dog barking approach the neighbor with the dog didn't help none at all call non-emergency police came out once an order the neighbor to put up signs beware of dog an no Trespassing sign other than that nothing else the 2nd time the dog catcher from the non-emergency department came out he took my verbal complaint Said he will be back out the nxt day no show up still nothing done the dog barks when we have company when we take out trash every time we go out on deck we can't even sit outside the dog immediately barks jerking lurking trying to get off the rope he's tied up to the back porch no dog house where he can see all 4 neighbors as they enter outside an when they step off their porch he's a nuisance to society and neighbors all 4 neighbors call non-emergency police numerous times over 10 times the owner of the dog is Spiteful an does this to intimidate his neighbors the smell is getting unbareable there's no peace and it's annoying the 3 neighbors that's against the owner don't kno what else to do an the owner has company so much door slamming and loud talking at night while others are trying to sleep this owner of the dog is disrespectful and seems like he doesn't care it's enough to make a person trigger but because I'm humble and bring no harm among no-one it's hard to really deal with this owner I love peace among my neighbors but this owner with the dog makes that impossible due to himself being abnoxious and very rude disrespectful I'm on the edge an the city police of high point nc want do anything about it I have rights that's being violated plus other neighbors rights being violated and I understand there are more problems in society but this is a major problem as well dog barking complaint it seems dogs has more rights than a human with complaints this problem should have been solved already considering going on for 2 months & all the complaints from 4 neighbors( 8 in all including the complaints from other family living in households)against the owner with the dog and the call ins from the neighbors against the owner of the barking dog he often broke a loose an breaks a loose he's vicious an dangerous it's unsafe for us all to have a neighbor dog strap down to the footsteps of a backporch using a rope as security knowing he often gets a lose by breaking the rope and runs around in neighborhood until the owner catches him an connects him back to the rope on the wooden pole connected to the back footstep porch he's barking now as I'm typing this an been barking earlier it's just 9 in the morning this is terrible that's why some owners break the law cause the City Of High Point where I live does nothing about the nuisance problem that effects the community this is a sad major problem an The High Point Police Department in North Carolina has done nothi

Paddy 07/03/2023 at 12:07 pm

I have moved into a nice street and neighbours seem ok but I have been kept awake at night by next door neighbour dog who barks and howls constantly disturbing my sleep and peace. A couple weeks before the dog was howling until the woman came home at 6 am in the morning I thought I would pop a note through her door to let her know the situation but she knocked on my door was aggressive and told me she works and the dog was there to protect. When I explained her dog was barking at 12.30 at night she seemed not to care and through the note on the floor and for me not to send her any further notes. This has left me very stressed.

PJH 05/03/2023 at 10:57 am

I have just read the awful stories of dogs barking. I live sandwiched between two dog parks, these were set up in 2019 and has caused us no end of trouble. We feel very stressed and upset. The dog park owners (business ltd company) intimidate us and run us off the road with his vehicle, so I know what you are going through. I have been in contact with the citizens advice and have been told that the park owners as well as the dog owners should have a code of practice and a code of care. Did you know this is Anti-social behaviour and dog owners can be prosecuted as well as the park owners if found that the noise is excessive. Keep looking on the internet for more information or use social media or even a group of people to put your case forward. I am alone in fighting my case. but will continue. If I can be of assistance let me know!

Mat 02/10/2022 at 5:57 pm

I’m currently looking for a dog free neighbourhood :) I know it’s not likely but I’d absolutely love to find it. I’ve just moved from a property that had an untrained barking dog next door for 3 years. Any noise at all, even opening a window, started long periods of barking. We could not use our garden at all. Putting a washing out was a process of stress. The dog barks when inside or out. Driving into our drive starts it, walking past the window starts it. The neighbours think their home is their castle and stuff the neighbourhood. Thankfully we just moved ??

Taitsy 07/09/2022 at 1:46 pm

My neighbours bought a Manchester terrier six months ago. For the first month they took it everywhere with them. Then they both went back to work. I work night shift. Guarantee at half seven every morning it starts. It howls and screams as they didn't start how they meant to go on. It's left for sometimes up to ten hours a day and this howling goes on for most of the day. Had a word with the neighbour who told me he had actually stopped taking it to work because of it incessant howling!!! No notice has been taken, I'm a dog owner too so was able to give him some advice on devices or calming treatments available. It's like they just don't care. At my wit's end it's driving me insane. Law needs to toughen up. This is causing me so much mental stress. I can see myself flippingand that's not the solution.

Cathy 06/09/2022 at 7:07 am

I have a neighbour who has two aggressive German Shepard rescue dogs who are making my peaceful rural existence very stressful. These dogs obviously have not been trained and were probably given up by previous owners for being out of control and badly behaved. She goes to work early and doesn't return until late in the evening and both dogs bark constantly at every vehicle or person that happens to be near the front and side fence lines of the neighbouring properties. I am unable to go outside my front yard without being accosted by these aggressive dogs and have them barking continuously until I am out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty spiteful and inconsiderate woman about her dogs being out of control along the fence line when she is at work and also when ever I happen to be outside in my yard. She refuses to accept any responsibility for her dogs barking and insisted that her dogs are not out of control and certainly not aggressive and that they are only protecting her property, and that I was just a winger. People that feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and aggressive, and don't feel the need to control their dogs bad behaviour should not be allowed to have pets. I tried to get the council to help with this problem but they were useless and informed me that if the dogs were secured behind a fence, there was not much they could do to stop the dogs from barking.

Betsy 06/09/2022 at 6:23 am

My neighbour acquired two rescue German Shepard dogs about three years ago and my peaceful life on my rural property has been pure hell since then. Both dogs are aggressive and out of control. Both neighbours work and when they leave early in the morning, the dogs bark constantly at cars and at anyone that comes along the fence line. This barking and running up and down the fence line continues non stop all day and also when ever there is a vehicle, other workmen or visitors along the front and side of my property, the dogs become extremely aggressive and do not stop barking until everyone has left. I am unable to even go outside into my front yard without the dogs barking and this will continue until I go back inside and out of view. I have spoken to the neighbour who is a nasty, spiteful and inconsiderate woman, who refuses to accept that her dogs are causing any disturbance at all and insisted that her dogs are well behaved and not aggressive and that they are just protecting her property. She went on to tell me that I was just a winger. I have complained to council and they are useless, told me that as long as the dogs are secured inside a fence, there is not much they can do about the barking. I should be able to go outside my front door without being accosted by aggressive backing dogs and be able to have visitors come to see me without the dogs barking continuously at them. People who feel entitled to have dogs that are badly behaved and lack training should not have animals that they cannot look after and who leave them to fend for themselves all day without any exercise, should not be allowed to have pets.

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