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Barking dog problems in Eurobodalla

If you're dealing with a barking dog in Eurobodalla - whether it's your own dog or your neighbour's dog keeping you awake - this page explains what you can do and when Council can step in.

If your dog is barking

You are responsible for making sure your dog doesn't bark too much. If neighbours complain, you could get a fine. Here's how to stop the problem:

Quick fixes you can try today

  • Exercise your dog more - a tired dog is less likely to bark for long periods.
  • Keep your dog inside at night - dogs left outside often bark at noises and movement.
  • Give your dog toys and puzzles - boredom is a common cause of barking.
  • Check the basics - make sure your dog has food, water, shelter, and shade.
  • Block the view - use solid fencing or shade cloth if your dog barks at people or cars going past.
  • See your vet - your dog might be sick, anxious, or in pain.

Remember:

If your neighbour complains, they've probably put up with the barking for a while. Take their concerns seriously - your dog is your responsibility.

Why dogs bark

Dogs may bark excessively when they're:

  • lonely or bored
  • not getting enough exercise
  • scared or anxious
  • protecting their territory
  • seeking attention
  • sick or injured
  • tied up or confined for too long

Get professional help

If you've tried these tips and your dog still barks too much:

  • Enrol in dog training or behaviour classes.
  • Ask your vet about safe training tools, such as citronella collars, if appropriate.
  • Talk to your vet about medical or anxiety issues and possible treatment.

If your neighbour's dog is barking

Start by talking to your neighbour or leaving a polite note. Explain how the barking affects you. Your neighbour might not know their dog is causing a problem and will usually want to fix it.

If talking doesn't work, contact LawAccess NSW for free legal advice:

LawAccess can give you:

  • advice about your options
  • sample letters and forms
  • information about applying for a Noise Abatement Order in the local court.

You can ask the local court to order the owner to stop the noise. If the court agrees that the barking is excessive, it can order the owner to:

  • stop the noise within a set time
    or
  • prevent it from happening again.

If you have tried these steps and the barking continues, contact Council rangers. Council can investigate and may issue a Nuisance Dog Order under the Companion Animals Act 1998 if the barking is persistent and unreasonably disturbs neighbours.

What Council needs to investigate

To help Council assess a barking dog complaint, we'll need:

  • evidence that you tried to resolve the issue (for example, discussions, notes, or LawAccess documents)
  • contact details and written statements from other affected neighbours, if possible
  • the address of the dog and a brief description of the dog
  • a barking diary for seven days, showing dates, times, duration and how the barking affects you:

Tip: Start keeping your barking diary as soon as possible. Note each time the dog barks, what time it starts and stops, and how it affects you.

Council is more likely to take action where the barking:

  • happens frequently or for long periods
  • seriously disturbs the peace and comfort of more than one household
  • is more than a private disagreement between two neighbours.

What Council can do

Council can issue a Nuisance Dog Order if the dog barks persistently. This order tells the owner to stop their dog from barking. If they don't, they can get a fine.

Frequently asked questions

No. We need your contact details to investigate. But we keep your information private. We only use it for the investigation. The dog owner won't know who complained, especially if other neighbours also complain.

It depends on how often the dog barks. Our rangers need to see or check the barking pattern. This can take a few weeks. Your barking diary helps us work faster.

No. Our goal is to help the owner stop the barking. We give out orders and fines if needed. We only consider other options in serious cases where the dog's health is at risk or the owner breaks the rules many times.

You can still complain if it bothers you often. Keep your barking diary to show the pattern. Many dog owners don't know their dog barks while they're at work.

Yes. There are no set 'barking hours' in NSW. If the barking happens a lot and bothers you - day or night -  we can look into it.

Probably not. Dogs bark when their owners leave or come home. That's normal. Too much barking means the dog barks for hours or days and bothers neighbours. Short barking is normal dog behaviour.

A Nuisance Order comes from Council. We give it after we investigate the barking problem.

A Noise Abatement Order comes from the local court. You apply for this yourself. You don't need Council, but you need proof and may need to go to court.

No. LawAccess NSW (phone 1300 888 529) gives free legal help. They walk you through the process. They have sample forms and step-by-step guides.

Try leaving a polite note. If that doesn't work, move to Step 2. Contact LawAccess NSW for advice on what to do next.

Keep your dog inside at night, especially from dusk to dawn when possums are active. You can also block areas where possums go, use lights that turn on with movement, or ask your vet about training help.

Citronella spray collars are usually safe. But shock collars can be harmful and don't fix why the dog barks. Always ask your vet before using any collar. Training your dog and fixing the reason it barks works better long-term.

You could get a fine. But more importantly, constant barking often means your dog is upset, worried, or needs something. Get help from your vet or a dog trainer right away. They can find out why your dog is barking and help you fix it.