Many dog owners don't like it when their dog barks incessantly. Disputes with neighbors usually become unpleasant for both sides. Disturbed landlords can take legal action against unreasonable dog owners, while dog owners can control behavior through appropriate measures.
When does barking become a noise nuisance?
Dog barking can constitute a noise nuisance if it continues continuously for more than 15 minutes. This is then called disturbing the peace. The neighbor then has the right to contact the regulatory authority. In the worst case scenario, there is a risk of being reported.
Dog barking from a legal perspective
Dog barking is a noise nuisance
There are no regulated and clear laws that deal with the issue of barking dogs. When sentencing, courts base their sentences on previous judgments, even if these do not have general legal validity. If dog owners are unreasonable and do not attach any importance to changing their four-legged friend's behavior, a fine can be imposed.
Barking is considered noise pollution
Dog vocalizations can be considered noise pollution. As such, they represent an immission that is considered to have a he alth-endangering effect on the environment. Paragraph 906 of the Civil Code (BGB) is therefore decisive for the assessment of barking dogs. A claim for injunctive relief is possible according to Section 1004 BGB.
How much dog barking is allowed?
Basically, dogs' barking must not last longer than 30 minutes per day and ten minutes at a time. If the disruption is considered local, for example in rural areas with farms, neighbors must tolerate the disruption. This generally does not apply to urban residential areas. Courts sentence four-legged friends' vocalizations more leniently or not at all if they occur outside of rest periods.
No barking times:
- Lunchtime: generally between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Night rest: after 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Days off: Sundays and public holidays
What is reasonable?
Dog barking is normal to a certain extent. Dog owners can influence their dog's behavior through proper training. Since barking is a typical character trait, it cannot be completely stopped. The following table gives you an overview of reasonableness and at what point dog owners have to fear judgments for disturbing the peace.
| Duration | Time | Verdict | Justification |
|---|---|---|---|
| short barking | not defined | reasonable | cannot be influenced by the owner |
| regular barking for one to three hours | different times of the day | unreasonable | disturbs the peace |
| regular and persistent barking | between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., on Sundays and public holidays | unreasonable | Disturbance during rest periods |
| Continuous barking for at least 30 minutes | daily | unreasonable | significant disturbance of the peace |
How loud can a dog bark be?
The court's decision regarding noise pollution caused by dogs varies from case to case
The law does not have clearly defined limits for the volume (in dB) above which it is no longer acceptable for dogs to bark. Therefore, the verdicts vary greatly depending on the individual case. Because this is an immission, it can be compared to other sources of noise such as cars or construction sites. If there is clear noise pollution, you can contact the responsible public order office.
Noise pollution and judgments of the past:
- Saxony: Dog owners must limit dog barking to 60 minutes during the day
- Würzburg: Ban on keeping a Pyrenean Shepherd Dog due to disturbing the peace at night
- Neustadt: Keeping huskies as sled dogs is not permitted in residential areas
- Düsseldorf: Fine for caretaker whose guard dog disturbed the night's rest
Background
Why you should keep a noise log
If you live in a rented apartment and you are bothered by the neighbor's dog barking, you should draw up a noise protocol. This is essential if you want to make claims such as a rent reduction. According to Section 535 of the German Civil Code (BGB), a tenant must ensure that adequate housing is possible for each of their landlords. If you can prove noise nuisance with a noise report and witnesses, a rent reduction is possible.
Who you can contact
If you are unsure whether the neighbor's dog's barking is considered a disturbance and noise nuisance, you should inform the public order office. If the barking continues for an unreasonable period of time, you can also call the police. There are special hardship cases in which dog owners cannot take responsibility for their animals, so the police have to inform animal protection.
Dog barking – public order office can issue an immediate order
If there are problems between neighbors, the public order office or the responsible regulatory authority can get involved. If there is a permanent and unreasonable disturbance, a complaint about barking dogs can be filed. In the area of tenancy and property law, the civil courts deal with cases in which barking dogs cause noise nuisance. The basis for issuing orders is Section 117 of the Administrative Offenses Act (OWiG), according to which dog barking can be viewed as an administrative offense.
From noise pollution to reporting
You don't have to tolerate dogs barking at night or during rest periods. Several steps are necessary before a complaint is made about barking dogs. The dog owner must be given the opportunity to stop the noise nuisance. Only if the situation does not change and the dog's barking continues to disturb the peace should you take more drastic measures. You can find templates and samples for warnings or complaint letters on the Internet.
How to proceed:
- Create noise log: record frequency, duration and intensity of barking
- Looking for witnesses: Statements must support the noise pollution
- Write a complaint letter: use templates and fill them out in detail
- Inform the landlord: talk about the problem so that he can warn the dog owner
- Observe the condition: if there is no improvement, a warning will be issued
- Notify the public order office: if neighbors cannot agree, filing a complaint is the last option
What to do about barking dogs
Well behaved dogs bark less
Dog owners know that even the smartest dog won't understand why barking is only allowed at certain times. It is therefore important that you break your dog's bad habit. However, there is no effective remedy for annoying dog barking. For the greatest possible success, it is important that you act quickly on the vocalizations and show your presence.
Stop constant dog barking with anti-bark collars
There are different types of training collars that are intended to make it easier for the owner to get rid of bad manners. It is important to understand the effects of such measures. Dogs should neither become submissive nor develop into fearful individuals as a result of the impulses. The purpose of anti-bark collars is to redirect attention. Therefore, not every product available on the market is suitable.
Models and their functions:
- Vibration collar: vibrates as soon as the dog starts barking
- Spray collar: sprays water in the face when barking
- Electric collar: gives electric shocks when vocalized
Training collars in comparison
Electric collars are not only forbidden, but also lead to negative consequences. But spray collars can also disturb sensitive and skittish dogs so much that they develop a fear of any type of collar. They don't understand that the water jet doesn't harm them. It is comparable to a poison attack by an animal in the wild. The dog's instinct tells the four-legged friend that danger is imminent.
| Vibration collar | Spray collar | Electric collar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effect | Four-legged friend is irritated by gentle impulses | Dog senses impending danger | unpleasant torture |
| Follow | good learning effect | Barking can get worse | disordered behavior, anxiety and panic attacks |
| allowed? | yes | yes | banned in Germany according to animal protection |
| Recommendation | yes | no | no |
Reviews indicate that a vibration collar is the best choice among all training collars. The learning effect is greatest with these variants, even if each dog achieves success at different speeds.
How does a vibration collar work?
The electronics are stored in a small box that is attached to the dog's larynx. Sensors detect when the dog barks. The collar then first emits a warning tone to get the dog's attention. If this doesn't stop, the collar will begin to vibrate. Every dog reacts differently to the impulses. Some people are only irritated by the sound, while others only respond to the vibrations. Few dogs are unimpressed by these collars.
Tip
Good vibration bands only stop when the dog is quiet for a certain period of time. The cheapest models are often not the best.
Ultrasound for barking dogs?
There are various devices on the market that use high frequency to stop dogs barking. At the push of a button or triggered by a motion detector, ultrasonic waves are emitted at a frequency of 25,000 Hertz. These are not perceptible to the human ear, but are intended to encourage the dog to remain still. Although such devices startle the animal at first, after repeated use there is no longer any effect. Ultrasound devices are not recommended.
Train barking through training measures
Gaping dogs want to tell their owners something. Therefore, ignorance is the wrong course of action. Instead, show your four-legged friend that you are present. Respond to the barking with an acoustic signal that attracts the dog's attention. This tells the dog that there is no longer any reason to bark any more. When your companion stops barking, praise him. With a little patience and treats, you can even teach an old dog to be quiet when called.
Tip
Avoid verbal abuse to stop a dog from barking. He doesn't understand the connection between his attention grab and his master's annoyance.
What you need to know about barking
Barking was probably encouraged by domestication
Barking is typical of domestic dogs, which articulate themselves with a wide range of vocalizations. It is not only an adaptation to humans that the domestic dog has undergone in the course of domestication, but also a result of the changed anatomy compared to wild dogs.
The barking behavior of adult domestic dogs is similar to the behavior of wolf puppies.
For a dog to bark loudly, its larynx must be relatively large. In addition to barking, there are other vocal expressions for different situations such as whining and whining or yelping and growling.
Why dogs bark
Wolves and other dog species bark in a few exceptional situations. However, this behavior is more common in their puppies. This suggests the theory that the willingness to bark in domestic dogs was specifically promoted by humans. In the course of domestication, the characteristics typical of puppies were extended further and further over the entire lifespan of the dog. These traits have been inherited so that the puppies no longer have to learn to bark through interaction with people.
Function of Barking:
- Excitement: Dogs show joy or nervousness
- Animation: Four-legged friends demand attention and want to be kept busy
- Fear: unknown situations cause the dog to panic
- Defence: aggressive dog barking drives away strangers and intruders
- Disappointment: something didn't go as expected
Excursus
Dog barking as a deterrent
Loud dog barking is the ideal burglary protection. However, if the animal causes disputes with the neighbors, a dummy is needed. A simulator with the sound of barking dogs provides the perfect alarm system for urban areas, where keeping dogs in rented apartments is difficult.
A loudspeaker installation that uses a motion detector to make dogs bark is a cheap and effective method. The dog barking can be transferred to a memory card as an MP3 file. If that's too much effort for you, you can simply play dog barking from YouTube on your smartphone to drive away unwanted visitors.
Barking breeds
Every dog has its own personality. There are significant differences when it comes to barking ability. The character of individual individuals of a breed can be very variable, so that some dogs bark more than others.
Das Bellen der Hunde - Darstellung verschiedenen Belltypen
Hunting or guard dogs tend to bark more. They were bred to make sounds in certain situations. Guard dogs are used to ward off intruders, while hunting dogs are used to communicate over long distances. Some dog breeds have strong territorial behavior. They tend to defend their territory with sharp dog barks.
- Hunting dogs: dachshunds, terriers
- Guard dogs: German Shepherd, Spitz, Rottweiler
- Breeds with territorial behavior: Pug, Doberman Pinscher
- calm dog breeds: Golden Retrievers, Bassets, Irish Wolfhounds, Great Danes
Forbidden: Debarking
There are some countries in which constant barking of dogs is supposed to be muffled by removing certain parts of the vocal cords. Large parts of Europe and England have signed the “European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals”, which bans this practice in those countries. On the other hand, the method, also known as devocalization, is legal in many US states, for example. Massachusetts is excluded. There have been requests for a ban in California in the past.
Frequently asked questions
Can my landlord give notice of termination of the apartment?
In principle, it is possible for a landlord to terminate the apartment if the neighborhood continues to complain about noise disturbances despite warnings. If you can demonstrably stop your four-legged friend from barking and go to dog school or take measures such as turning off the bell, you should prove this with certificates and witnesses. In this way, if legal action is imminent, you can show that you are taking the situation seriously.
Why does my dog bark continuously?
Dogs use vocalization as a means of communication. They draw attention to something by barking. Situational barking sounds are normal and are part of the typical behavior of four-legged friends. Constant barking is triggered by various factors. Bored dogs often tend to develop this habit. They demand attention by making noises to draw attention to themselves. But loneliness can also become a problem. Long walks or dog sports provide relief because they exercise the dog.
How does territorial behavior arise?
One reason for constant barking can be a dog's territorial behavior. This character trait is typical of some breeds such as Doberman, Great Dane and German Shepherd. They are dominant and have a stronger instinct for defending their territory. The cause of high aggressiveness can also be traced back to incorrect parenting measures in childhood. If puppies have not been properly socialized or have been raised inconsistently, the negative behaviors will persist into old age.
What should I do if my dog becomes aggressive?
Severe cases must be trained with special obedience training. To ensure that no mistakes are made, professional supervision is advisable. You teach your dog that you determine the boundaries of the territory and determine the potential danger of visitors or intruders. But there are also mild cases in which fewer educational measures are necessary. With more variety and activity measures, dogs can be better utilized. As a result, they are also more relaxed about the boundaries of the territory.
Is continuous barking due to illness?
If the barking occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason, there may be an illness. Barking has various functions and is also used by dogs to express pain. Neurological problems can also be a cause. Even if there is no illness, you should stop barking as quickly as possible. Constant strain on the vocal cords can lead to laryngitis. If you are unsure, you should take your four-legged friend to the vet to rule out physical causes.
Are there simple measures to stop dogs barking?
As soon as the doorbell rings, many dogs run excitedly to the entrance gate and bark incessantly. In this case, send the dog back to its place with clear gestures. A big mistake many dog owners make is giving verbal commands or stares. This often animates the dog even more because it gets attention. Therefore, you should ignore the dog after rejection and only praise him once he is quiet. This way you teach your pet what behavior is right and wrong.
