When Dog Barking Becomes a Neighbourhood Issue — And What You Can Do About It

If you live in Brisbane, chances are you’ve heard it before: a neighbour’s dog barking endlessly, or maybe it’s your own pup who just can’t seem to settle down. Barking is totally normal — it’s how dogs communicate — but when it happens too often or goes on for too long, it can quickly turn into a neighbourhood issue.

In fact, barking dogs are the number one noise complaint Brisbane City Council receives every year, more than construction or car alarms!

So, if you’ve been worrying about noise complaints or are feeling stuck on how to help your dog settle, you’re not alone. Let’s break this down together.

Why Dogs Bark

Dogs bark for lots of reasons:

• Alerting you to something (real or imagined!)
• Frustration from being restrained
• Boredom or under-stimulation
• Fear or anxiety about what’s going on around them
• Attention-seeking

The barking itself isn’t “bad” — but when it’s excessive, it tells us your dog’s needs aren’t being fully met or managed in a constructive way.

What the Law Says in Brisbane

Brisbane City Council considers barking a nuisance if it happens:

• 6 minutes or more in an hour during the day, or
• 3 minutes or more in a half hour at night.

If complaints are made and the barking is found excessive, you could face warnings, abatement notices, or even fines.

That’s a lot of pressure — but don’t panic. There’s plenty you can do to get ahead of the problem before it gets to that stage.

How to Tackle Excessive Barking (Without Losing Your Mind)

✨ Step 1: Awareness
Start tracking when your dog barks most. Is it when you leave home? When the neighbour’s dog is out? When tradies walk past? This helps you pinpoint the “why.”

✨ Step 2: Teach a Clear Cue
Instead of shouting (which your dog may think is you joining in!), teach an “enough” or “quiet” cue. Reward your dog when they pause barking, even for a split second, so they learn silence = reward.

✨ Step 3: Build Better Boundaries
Teach your dog to settle in a designated “place” or crate when you can’t supervise. This not only reduces barking opportunities but also helps them relax.

✨ Step 4: Meet Their Needs
Often barking is boredom or frustration. Daily training, enrichment games, walks, or even tools like a flirt pole can make a huge difference in how calm they are at home.

✨ Step 5: Practice Calm Exposure
If your dog barks at passersby or noises, gradually desensitise them. Reward calmness, use leash training outside the front gate, and show them that ignoring triggers pays better than reacting.

When to Call in a Professional

Sometimes barking ties into deeper issues like separation anxiety, fear-based reactivity, or pushy behaviour. If you’ve tried the basics and still feel stuck, that’s when professional help is worth its weight in gold.

A trainer can:

• Tailor a plan specific to your dog’s triggers
• Teach you how to respond consistently
• Help prevent the issue from escalating to reactivity or council complaints

Barking doesn’t have to be the battle it feels like right now. With the right structure, consistent training, and support, your dog can learn when to speak up — and when to settle down.

If you’re ready to turn chaos into calm and enjoy a more peaceful life with your pup, our Reactive to Reliable and Manners Matter programs are designed to help.

🔗 [Book a Discovery Call today] — let’s get you and your dog back on track before the barking drives you (and your neighbours!) mad.