Letter Template: Neighbour's Dog Barking

Originally written by Abigail Taylor, updated by the editorial team on 17th May 2026

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Letter Template: Neighbour's Dog Barking

If your neighbour's dog barks constantly and it is affecting your quality of life at home, putting your concerns in writing is a sensible next step. This letter template is designed to be polite but clear, giving your neighbour a fair opportunity to address the problem before you consider further action. Keep the tone calm and avoid accusations, as your neighbour may genuinely be unaware of the issue. Always date your letter, keep a copy for your records, and deliver it by hand or post it through their letterbox so you know it has been received.

Noise Meter

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.

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Letter Template

[Your address line 1]
[Your address line 2]
[Your town/city]
[Your postcode]

[Date]

[Neighbour's name, if known]
[Their address line 1]
[Their address line 2]
[Their town/city]
[Their postcode]

Dear [Neighbour's name / Neighbour],

Re: Noise from dog barking

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to raise a concern regarding noise from a dog at your property, which I believe may be something you are unaware of.

Over the past [length of time, e.g. few weeks / several months], I have noticed frequent barking coming from your home. This tends to occur [describe when it happens, e.g. during the daytime while you may be at work / in the early morning / late at night / throughout the day]. The barking can be clearly heard from inside my property at [your address], and I am finding it difficult to [relax / sleep / work from home / enjoy my garden] as a result.

I appreciate that dogs do bark from time to time, and I understand that this may not be something you have been aware of, particularly if it happens while you are out. I wanted to bring it to your attention so that we can hopefully find a way to resolve the matter between ourselves.

There are a number of things that might help reduce the barking, such as leaving a radio on for company, ensuring the dog has enough exercise and stimulation, or consulting a vet or animal behaviourist if the dog is anxious. I am happy to discuss this further if you would find it helpful.

I would be grateful if you could look into this matter and let me know if there is anything you are able to do. I am keen to resolve this amicably and would prefer not to involve the council or any other third party if we can avoid it.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this in person. You can reach me at [your phone number or email address, if you wish to provide it], or simply knock on my door at [your house number or address].

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[Your signature, if delivering a printed copy]

[Your full name]
[Your address]

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

What to Do If They Do Not Respond

If your neighbour does not reply to your letter or the barking continues without improvement, you have several options to consider. It is worth keeping a written record of when the barking occurs, including dates, times, and how long it lasts. This information will be useful if you need to take the matter further.

Contact your local council: Most councils have an environmental health team that deals with noise nuisance complaints. Persistent dog barking that interferes with your enjoyment of your home may be considered a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The council can investigate and, if necessary, take formal action against your neighbour.
Try community mediation: If you would prefer to resolve things without involving the authorities, a mediation service can help. Your local community mediation service offers a neutral space for neighbours to discuss problems and find solutions together. Many councils also offer free or low cost mediation for neighbour disputes.
Contact their landlord or housing provider: If your neighbour rents their property, their landlord or housing association may have rules about noise and nuisance. You can write to the landlord or contact the housing provider to report the issue. Social housing tenants are often bound by tenancy agreements that require them to avoid causing a nuisance to neighbours.
Seek advice from Citizens Advice: If you are unsure of your rights or next steps, Citizens Advice can provide free, impartial guidance on how to handle neighbour disputes and noise complaints.

Escalating the matter should always be a last resort. Most neighbour disputes are resolved through calm communication, so give your neighbour a reasonable amount of time to respond before taking further action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I send the letter by recorded delivery?

For a first letter, recorded delivery is not usually necessary. Hand delivering the letter or posting it through your neighbour's letterbox is sufficient and keeps the tone friendly. If the problem continues and you need to send further correspondence, recorded delivery can provide proof that your neighbour received the letter. This may be useful if the matter eventually goes to the council or court.

What if my neighbour ignores the letter?

If your neighbour does not respond within a couple of weeks, or the barking continues without any improvement, consider sending a follow up letter. Make it clear that you are disappointed not to have heard back and that you may need to contact the council's environmental health team if the situation does not improve. Keep your tone polite but firm. If there is still no response, you can then escalate to the council, a mediation service, or their landlord if applicable.

Should I keep a copy of the letter?

Yes, always keep a copy of any letter you send. Store it somewhere safe along with a note of the date you delivered it and how you delivered it. If the dispute continues or you need to involve the council or take legal action, having a record of your attempts to resolve the matter will support your case. It also helps you remember exactly what you said if your neighbour raises the letter in conversation.

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 39 questions

Ask Problem Neighbours a Question

ProblemNeighbours Editor 17/05/2026 at 1:32 pm

@Bobsyerunkle That's actually animal cruelty and a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and chocolate can kill dogs, not just make them sick. The dog isn't the problem here, the owner is. Far better to keep a noise diary, speak to the owner, and if that fails, report it to your council's environmental health team. Please don't poison anyone's pet.

Bobsyerunkle 09/10/2023 at 1:20 pm

Has no one on here mentioned the wonder cure that is chocolate! A few chunks lobbed into the garden of the offending pooch - or popped through the letterbox - no more barking as the mutt will be too busy throwing up.
Rince and repeat until the problem goes away.

Tgrem 02/06/2022 at 10:32 pm

The dog barking by me is on a estate its not a direct neighbour but the dog is big and barks loud I can't imagine it not pissing loads of people off by me, happens late from 9 to about 11,prime TV time, I'm reporting it, selfish people not sorting their animals out but no surprise there some of the cretins around here.

Cj1234 15/04/2022 at 11:57 pm

Would like to report a dog barking constantly at 56 Denton lane ol98pu

Paull 07/08/2021 at 7:20 pm

Dear all I'm making a complain because my dad's dogs barking early owners of the morning late at night I have tried talking to him but dint work out help me please meany thanks James Baker

hi me ??? 04/06/2021 at 10:44 am

[Your Address][Neighbour's name]
[Address / 'Delivered by hand']

[Date]

Dear [Neighbour's name]/[If unknown, just address as 'Dear Neighbour'],

Re: Dog barking

I live at [address], next door. I am writing in relation to a dog barking at your property. The specific dog barking seems to be a [colour and breed of dog].

The dog barking occurs: [select appropriate]

During the night / during the day / during early morning hours before 7am
When you go out and leave the dog alone for a period of time
When you let the dog out early morning
When someone walks past your property
When I go out into my garden
You may have previously been unaware of this noise. However it affects me because it can be clearly heard in the habitable areas of my house [and prevents me from sleeping / prevents me from enjoying use of my garden].

If this issue is not resolved, the Environmental Health Department may take action to reduce the noise, which could result in you receiving a financial penalty.

I am keen to resolve this amicably; we are after all neighbours! I would therefore be grateful if you could [try to reduce any noise between 11pm and 7am / stop your dog from barking constantly at any time for more than 20 minutes / not let your dog outside when you are out of the house].

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Kind regards,

[Your signature]
[Your name]

hi me ??? 04/06/2021 at 10:41 am

My next door neighbour is a single lady in her fifties who owns two dogs, a small spaniel and a large setter-type crossbreed. Since moving in about a year ago she herself has been absolutely silent - the best neighbour I've ever had in that respect - but her dogs more than make up for it. She is normally out at work for nearly ten hours a day, and also seems to spend most of the weekend out of her house, while I am virtually housebound. Her dogs seem equally housebound, and spend all day in the adjoining front room of her house. Every time anyone passes by her front garden, which amounts to around every fifteen minutes or so, they bark for a few minutes. Then the large dog starts to howl. This then starts the little dog off howling. This continues for a few minutes, usually until someone else walks by, which sets them off again. To begin with I put up with this for about six months after they moved in, thinking the dogs would settle eventually as they got used to their new environment. But, if anything, they became worse. I was initially nervous of approaching a lone older lady with this kind of grievance in case she might feel threatened. I have mobility issues myself, however, and have only managed to catch my neighbour twice to speak to her about it. The first time she made a good show of being apologetic and claimed to be mortified that the dogs were disturbing me while she was out. For a few weeks, she moved them outside into a shed while she was at work, and while I could still hear them, the noise wasn't loud enough to drive me to distraction any more. Then for some reason she decided to move them back into the house during the day and the whole sorry situation resumed - and if anything the howling became more annoying than before. I managed to speak to her a second time about it and her only response that time was "Well I'll be retiring in three years, if that helps" ! As I said earlier, the howling hasn't just started up again, but it has intensified. The howling doesn't happen when she is there (occasionally the barking does), so I imagine she doesn't believe me about the howling or its intensity. The dogs are clearly suffering from some kind of separation anxiety, but when I broached the subject with her she didn't seem to even understand what I was talking about. I now feel that I've done more than enough to try and settle the matter amicably, so am I now justified in involving an outside agency now that it is clear she doesn't seem inclined to do anything to remedy the situation?

Tez 04/04/2021 at 6:09 pm

We have neighbors an there dog in barks none stop every day we live in disabled bungalow's and everyone is moaning about it they have been asked to keep it quiet but they don't listen the poor thing is locked out day an night and it barks from 16.30 till up to 0130 it's so annoying I love dogs but this one I don't it's not it's fault it's the owner's

Aliya 26/10/2020 at 11:09 pm

I'm sandwhiched between two dog owners both 1 door down on either side. 1 dog we hear all the time during the day and at night sometimes till 11pm. The other dog is completely quiet... I didn't even realise they had a dog! The quiet dog is taken for regular walks and is taken out of the house. The noisy one is left at home most the day. Our mutual neighbour takes it out for a walk as she feels sorry for it and it gives her company. The owners seems too busy to really care for it. When another neighbour approached them about the issue of dog barking they got into a heated argument. So I don't want to end up like that - hoping environmental health will take some action. Not sure what else to do? It's difficult to sleep with a dog barking. The children in the neighbourhood get disturbed too. Such a nightmare some days.

Kat 25/09/2020 at 6:11 pm

I retired & moved to a new home in SC with my cats. The first 2 months were complete bliss. Then, the neighbors moved in with 2 barking dogs. As soon as I began planting flowers around my home or sitting out in my screened-in patio, all I heard was non stop barking, After several minutes, the owners would say, “come in boys”.
I approached the neighbors very nicely, about their barking dogs. The wife told me that they had tried everything. But, their dogs are not trained!!
And she said that I must be flexible..It got worse before it got better!!
The wife lied & told her husband that I threatened to go to the HOA.. This never happened!
I approached the husband to talk but, he threw me off his property & called me a hypocrite..I told him that I will pray for you..
So sad but, the dogs are now under control with their barking but, the neighbors & I are not speaking..When the neighbors first moved in, the husband told me that they had moved 9 times.. Now, I understand why ..

Shar 22/08/2020 at 10:36 am

Super frustrated. My husband and I just bought our first house. Sadly to say, this is the worst location. The whole neighborhood has dogs that bark throughout the day. To make it worse, both neighbors on the side of me dogs bark ALL DAY....especially to the right of me. The dog barks throughout the night! 10pm-11:30pm, then 12pm-2am......3am-6am. The times often change, but still during the day, evening, night and middle of the night. Its ridiculous!!! Then, during the day he walks back and forth in his cage. Honestly, I'm trying to figure out when he sleeps. They don't tell him to be quite! One day their family was outside, he barked at them from his cage (he and another dog are in seperate cages outside )they simply ignored him. I have two dogs myself. They are trained and don't bark. Neighbors should be more mindful....not everyone wants to hear that noise.

Shar 22/08/2020 at 10:33 am

Super frustrated. My husband and I just bought our first house. Sadly to say, this is the worst location. The whole neighborhood has dogs that bark throughout the day. To make it worse, both neighbors on the side of me dogs bark ALL DAY....especially to the right of me. The dog barks throughout the night! 10pm-11:30pm, then 12pm-2am......my husband 3am-6am. Its ridiculous!!! Then, during the day he pastes in his cage. Honestly, I'm trying to figure out when he sleeps. They don't tell him to be quite! One day their family was outside, he barked at them from his cage (he and another dog are in seperate cages outside )they simply ignored him. I have two dogs myself. They are trained and don't bark. Neighbors should be more mindful....not everyone wants to hear that noise.

AMonsoon 21/08/2020 at 11:59 pm

I have a phobia of dogs and new tenants have moved in the flat upstairs with a dog that is barking at night, making me very anxious

H 07/08/2020 at 4:23 pm

Adam... I think I'm your next door neighbour (at number 9), if not it's quite a coincidence because right now I'm listening to a yappy dog from the neighbours house that backs onto mine!
The howling dogs (who live next door to the yappy dog) was bad enough... but they don't yap at 5am!
I shouted out my bedroom window the other morning, because the lady seemed oblivious to her screeching dog waking up the neighbours as she watered her plants!

Adam 07/08/2020 at 11:39 am

I have the same problem with a neighbour opposite my house. Our houses "back onto each other", with the back gardens filling the space between. While this space does give us some 50 feet of separation, their persistantly barking dog's noise is absolutely unbearable at times.

It's not just that they shut the dog out in the garden when they're out. They shut it out in the garden sometimes from 10am, all the way through to 11pm, and it barks constantly (minimum of 1 bark every 5 seconds!). It's not even a guard dog. It's one of those little yappy things that is supposed to be a pet and a companion for the kids.

I've tried the note through the door, with nothing done to address the noise. So Environmental Health is the next step.

Unfortunately, a lot of people get dogs with the ONLY purpose of making a racket in the garden, thinking it's a deterrant for burglars. The mistreat their dogs in order to make t he bark as much as possible, as loudly as possible. I have no idea why this . isn't treated as illegal. It's cruel to the animals and it's a nightmare for the neighbours.

Politz 30/07/2020 at 5:50 am

I’ve been living next door to my neighbors for the past 5 years and never have I had a problem with them or their dog. But a few months ago I noticed they had got another pup I don’t know what kind of dog it is, but the only reason I noticed the pup was from the barking it does morning, noon and night . The dog is tied up from the early am hours to the late night. These neighbors are cruel to be doing this. I’ve called the non emergency number for LAPD but they can’t do anything , they referred me to animal control which will be quite a process to get them to get this to stop. This is such a problem I don’t know how to get someone to listen and come out and take care of the matter. For now I will continue to try to get this resolved .

Je 11/06/2020 at 1:34 pm

Hi
We have neighbors 3 doors up from us ,who have a dog that is kept in the back garden.Never goes for a walk ,but constantly howls and barks at all times off the day and night .Which can be heard in our house .We both have to be up really early for work so it keeping us awake at all hours is not good
What should I do .

Josie 08/06/2020 at 3:48 am

I am experiencing the same problem you all are. I live in a subdivision. Let me start from the beginning. My neighbors moved in they had 2 shepherds that they never walk on a lease, they never ensure they stay in their yard. I have a pitbull that I would put on a cord attached to my deck. They would come in my yard and bother him. They have come in my yard and I have gone out to get him and they have tried to run in my house behind him. Now that he is TRAINED and older I don't put him on the cord when he goes out because he doesn't leave the property or go in their yard and responds to his name. One day we were outside one of the dogs ran over toward him I tell the girlfriend to come get him and put him on a leash. She responds NO I will not the law says I don't have to. Yes we do not have a leash law but there are stipulations behind it but didn't feel like arguing with this lady.

Additionally they breed dogs. Ok so now they built a fence but still don't put them on a leash to walk them. One man outside of the subdivision said his grandchildren were in the yard playing the dogs charged at them. Additional information our HOA has been taken over by residents as Board Members. Well now the owners leave the dogs outside all of the time and if they are gone for the weekend the dogs stay outside until they get back and there is nonstop barking. I asked one of the members of the Board to do something he replied he had spoken to the homeowner 3 times regarding the barking but he gets all worked up. He further states that's the reason the police have said the residents need to file a formal complaint. My next question was you are a HOA Board Member don't you all deal with compliance. Reply I have talked to him 3 times. FIRST and foremost if the HOA Board Members are complaining about the barking they would file suit on the residents behalf. It is now 2044 pm and the dogs are still barking. I called the police earlier. The Officer told me that would have to hear them bark for one straight minute and if they were barking becuase they say his truck that didnt count. They would have to just be barking not because they heard or saw something. I also have PTSD due to military but also have a 7 month old in the home they bark she crys for hours. So fed up with. Please advise

Count Crawfard 06/05/2020 at 9:12 pm

DO NOT PUT UP WITH NUISANCE NEIGHBOURS OR THEIR SO-CALLED NOISEY ‘PETS’,
At the end of the day, it is THEY who are in the wrong- NOT you!
Why don’t more people complain? Why is it always left to the chosen few (ie US) to put in a complaint? Why are there so many gutless neighbours who keep whinging, yet do Jack Sh#t about it? You know who you are:- ‘man/woman-up’ and put in a complaint to your local council (it’s all confidential, after all),

Mike 30/04/2020 at 9:39 pm

Geez is anyone here literate? These comments are some of the most jumbled word salad I've ever seen.

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