I have a dog that is a prolific barker. Most of the time, it is not an issue because my neighbors are dog lovers, but it has caused a few problems for me over the years. While I’ve never faced a fine, citation, or other legal issue, I know dog owners who have. The question frequently arises about how long dogs can legally bark. The answer depends on your specific geographical area, but there’s more to it than one might think. Let’s get into the details.
Is It Legal For Dogs To Bark?
Yes, it is legal for dogs to bark. However, excessive barking is considered noise pollution, a nuisance, or a disturbance of peace. In some areas, it can come with hefty fines, animal control involvement, civil lawsuits, minor criminal charges, and more. While there are no federal laws, some states and most counties and municipalities have noise ordinance laws covering excessive barking. These come with a range of consequences, including tickets, fees, incarceration, and even forfeiture of the animal.
I know it’s pretty wild to think you could face these penalties for your dog’s barking, but these laws and ordinances are very real. It’s wise to check on any in your area if you have a dog that barks a lot. Just like leash laws, damage laws, and dog bite laws, knowledge is key here to protect your dog and yourself.
Dog Barking Laws: What Is Considered Excessive Barking?
In general, excessive barking is when a dog barks for an extended period, more than a few minutes, with little or no interruption. It can take place during the day or night, but especially between late night and early morning. I looked at the laws in different areas around the country to see what kind of legal consequences pet owners can face for nuisance barking. I picked a mix of communities in the United States, including highly populated urban areas as well as some less populated and rural areas.
Anchorage, Alaska
In Anchorage, pet owners must not allow pets to make “chronic animal noise.” Owners who receive three or more complaints in a year may be subject to forfeiting their pet. (Leaving animal feces on public property or a neighbor’s property is also against the law here.) In Alaska, dogs are not permitted to continuously bark for more than five minutes, except for professional mushing dogs, which can bark for 20 minutes. Owners can face fines starting at $100.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta’s city council has passed an ordinance stating that if a dog barks for more than 10 minutes, the owner may be subject to a $150 fine. A repeat offender can face up to a $1,000 fine. This ordinance is in line with the city’s “nuisance animal” law, which states that owners cannot allow animals to bark, meow, whine, crow, or make other animal noises for longer than 10 continuous minutes.
Dallas, Texas
In Dallas, dog owners can be subject to penalties if their dog barks, howls, or makes other “unreasonable” noises for more than 15 continuous minutes. On a state level, in Texas, dogs barking excessively is a violation of the Texas Health and Safety Code, and violators (owners) can be fined up to $500.
Denver, Colorado
In Denver, Colorado, it is unlawful not to prevent a dog from loudly and habitually making noise. This is considered a violation of the noise ordinance and punishable by a violation notice, fee, or court summons. Dog owners who fail to prevent barking at least once after a complaint and have multiple complaints from different neighbors may have their dog declared a public nuisance, which can result in the animal being impounded.
Forest Lake, Minnesota
In Forest Lake, keeping nuisance dogs is prohibited. No person is lawfully able to keep a dog that is considered a “barking dog.” In this case, a barking dog is any pup that barks, bays, cries, whines, or makes any other continuous noise for a period of 10 minutes. Additionally, intermittent barking for 30 minutes or more during the day or night will earn a pup a public nuisance notice. However, there is an exception for a dog that barks due to someone trespassing on private property or if the dog has been provoked. In other areas in Minnesota, a dog whining, barking, or howling for six minutes or more is considered to be a noise nuisance.
Los Angeles, California
In Los Angeles, barking dogs can cause owners to face quite a few legal issues if someone files a complaint. Allowing a dog to disturb the peace can lead to a misdemeanor charge that carries up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
New York City, New York
In New York City, dog barking complaints are handled by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP may take action if a complaint is filed. This includes letters, noise inspections, and court summons. The DEP considers complaints when a dog barks for 10 minutes straight between the times 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM or for five minutes straight between the times 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
In Oklahoma City, it is against the law to own a dog that frequently howls, barks, and yelps. If a complaint is filed that an animal is disturbing the community, the owner will receive a warning letter from the city. If another complaint is filed, the neighbor who asked for the complaint and the pet owner must both appear in court. In Oklahoma, on a state level, animal noise is considered a public nuisance. A nuisance is defined as any disruption to a person’s quiet enjoyment of their property. Willful disturbance of the peace can carry a monetary fine and incarceration of up to 30 days.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, a county animal control ordinance makes it unlawful for any owner to allow animals on their property to bark, howl, or make other noises for more than 10 consecutive minutes. Violators can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $300 and imprisonment for up to 90 days. Repeat offenders may have their animals labeled as nuisances and face harsher penalties in the state’s higher District Court.
Spring Hill, Tennessee
In Spring Hill, it is against the law and not permitted to own any dog that engages in loud, frequent barking, howling, or whining or an animal that annoys or disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
Winston Salem, North Carolina
In Winston Salem, North Carolina, it is illegal for anyone living within incorporated city limits who owns one or more dogs to allow them to bark, howl, or whine for more than 15 minutes. Violators can be fined up to $500.
International Dog Barking Laws
I also looked at a few different international areas to see if other countries consider barking against the law. It turns out excessive or nuisance barking can cause legal issues for dog owners all over the world.
- France – In France, barking can be reported as a violation of the noise laws set by the Public Health Code. Noise should not be detrimental to the peace and normal expectations of life in the neighborhood. If ticketed, owners can face fees, which are higher for nighttime violators.
- Germany – Germany has restrictions on dogs barking and whining; generally, it should not last longer than 10 minutes. There are also quieter hours at night and in the afternoon when dogs are expected to be quiet.
- England – Barking in England can be considered a “statutory noise nuisance” if it lasts for an extended period, either continuous or intermittent.
- Spain – In Spain, excessive animal noise can be considered noise pollution. Owners can be sued if their dogs’ barking is a continuous complaint.
- Italy – In Italy, excessive barking can put an owner in jail, especially if it keeps the neighbors up at night.
Dog barking and noise ordinances vary from place to place. The laws I’ve discussed above are simply an example of how disruptive barking is handled in a few places. Noise ordinances can be set in place on the state, county, and municipal levels, so if you have a dog or plan to get one, it’s a good idea to learn more about your area’s specific legalities.
What Causes Excessive Barking?
Several different things can trigger this behavior. Some dogs are more prone to bark than others, so the breed plays a role to some extent. However, a pup’s unique situation, living conditions, and health are also factors. Often, excessive vocalization is a way to seek attention, but there are a few different triggers for this behavior.
Defensive Barking
In many cases, dogs who bark vigorously or excessively may be doing so in a defensive way. To them, they are doing their job and keeping their family and home safe. This also shows a bit of territorial behavior. They are making a lot of noise to let everyone know that this property and area is theirs. Defensive vocalizations can become excessive. My Beagle mix, for example, takes his guarding duties very seriously and has been known to bark for over 35 minutes continuously if he has his guard up about something.
Anxiety
Dogs suffer from anxiety just like humans. In some cases, excessive barking can be triggered by a fear response to something. This might be a stranger, a loud noise, or unusual activity. Separation anxiety is also a possibility. If a pup starts to bark excessively when left alone, this might be a sign of separation anxiety. They are trying to let you know they are unhappy with what’s going on and that they don’t want to be left alone.
Boredom And Low Exercise
Dogs who are isolated, bored, and are not getting enough physical exercise may be prone to bark loudly and for a long time. Dogs need social interaction, physical activity, and mental stimulation every day. While this is not always the case, dogs who are not getting enough physical or mental activity bark to get attention and burn off some of this excess built-up energy.
Health Issues
A health issue can also trigger excessive or loud continuous barking. Dogs who are in pain, injured, need food and water, or are uncomfortably hot or cold may bark to let you know. In other instances, things like cognitive decline, dementia, and other medical conditions may be the underlying cause. If your dog starts barking excessively and you cannot determine why, a trip to the vet is a good idea to help rule out any pain, discomfort, or more serious undiagnosed medical concerns.
What Should I Do If My Dog Barks Excessively?
While we don’t have much control over a neighbor’s dog barking excessively, we can address it with our pets if it occurs at home. Of course, every dog barks to some extent, but if you are concerned that your pup is barking excessively, there are a few things you can do.
Don’t Bark Back
I must point out one thing to never do with a loud, persistently barking dog. Raising your voice, shouting, or yelling at a dog to stop will not help. In fact, a loud vocal response actually stimulates and triggers the dog to bark more. They take this response as you joining in rather than a reprimand or request to stop.
Training Is Key
One of the best approaches to curb your pup’s excessive barking, once you’ve ruled out a medical cause, is to train them. Rather than yelling at your pup, it’s important to remember to speak to them in a calm and firm voice, but do not raise your voice, scream, scold, or yell at them.
- Pick a word like “Quiet” or “Stop” to use to train your pup to stop barking. When they bark excessively, repeat this word in a calm, quiet, yet firm voice. When they stop, give them a reward. Even if the barks only stop briefly, reward them with a positive response. Then, repeat your code word, rewarding them as they quiet down.
- An alternate approach to the quiet command is training a dog to be vocal. You can pick a word like speak or talk and train them to respond to you when you say that word. Then, you can use a command word like “Quiet” and a physical motion. This can be a finger held up to your lips or your hand held out with the palm upright and flat. This will take some time, but your pup will eventually understand the “Speak” and “Quiet” commands.
- Training is also a good approach if your pup barks out of separation anxiety. You can start out by desensitizing them to being alone. Start out with smaller amounts of time, just a few minutes each, so they are comfortable with you being gone. Gradually extend this time as your dog becomes more comfortable at home alone. It might be best to speak with a professional trainer if you have an overly anxious pup.
- Desensitizing also means removing triggers for excessive barking. For example, if your pup barks excessively every time the doorbell rings, you need to try and retrain that behavior. Opening the door to a visitor with a herd of barking dogs behind you is very intimidating. To avoid this, training your dogs to stop barking before you open the door is best. Using a code word like “Stop” or “Quiet” is one method. Another is to direct your pup to lie down when the doorbell rings. Eventually, with positive reinforcement, they will learn that they need to lie down when they hear the bell or a knock on the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are plenty of questions about excessive dog barking and how to stop it. I’ve answered a few of them below, but if I didn’t get to yours or you have experience to share, let me know in the comments.
Where Can I Find My City’s Dog Barking Ordinance?
You can look at your city’s official website or search for noise ordinances in your area online. You can also ask your vet or local animal control office for information, as they may know.
What To Do About Neighbor’s Barking Dog?
Do you have a neighbor whose dog barks all day long without fail? I have lived in that situation a few times myself, and it can be very disruptive to the peace and be distracting if you are trying to focus on a task. Deciding what to do about a neighbor’s barking dog is a bit tricky and often depends on your specific situation. The first thing to do is to try to approach the dog’s owner and express your concerns in a friendly, non-confrontational way. It’s always best to try to resolve these kinds of things before getting other people, especially city officials or courts, involved.
If you’re unable to work something out with the owner, then you have a few options. You can always purchase a pair of high-quality noise-canceling headphones and go about your business. However, that is not a perfect solution for everyone. If talking to the neighbor or noise-canceling headphones don’t solve the problem, the next step is to look into your area’s noise ordinances. You will want to check into things like your HOA, your city’s noise ordinance, the county’s noise ordinances, and if there are any laws about noise pollution or nuisance barking on a state level. From there, weigh your options and proceed with the option that seems most fitting for you.
If you file a formal complaint, your neighbor will likely be made aware of where it has come from, which may cause some unpleasantries. However, approaching this situation maturely, politely, and with the dog’s best interest is always a safe approach.
How Do You Report A Barking Dog?
Reporting a complaint requires filling out a form with the appropriate office. It will require you to describe the behavior and the animal, as well as share your contact information. The exact process depends on the laws in your area and what official department handles nuisance barking.
Can You Call The Cops For Barking Dogs?
You can call the police; however, in many cases, unless it is in regard to an animal attack, they may direct you to animal control. If they do respond, they may issue a ticket or citation. It all depends on the laws in your area.
Learn More About Why Dogs Bark
Dogs bark as a way of communication, but there is more to it than that. We discuss whether dogs get tired of barking and ways to stop excessive barking. You can also learn more about bark collars, sonic collars and muzzles for barking, which may help.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Danielle is a dog parent with over 30 years of canine care experience. She is the proud mom to two rescue pups who are highly skilled at loud, excessive barking. She has tried many methods over the years to help deter and stop this behavior in her own pups, as well as to help her neighbors, friends, and family with theirs. Danielle is a dedicated researcher with a background in education and behavior management. She works alongside a talented team at Canine Journal who strive to bring our readers the best, most relevant information to better their lives.