For many dog owners it is not nice when their own dog barks continuously. Disputes with neighbors usually become unpleasant for both sides. Disturbed landlords can take legal action against unreasonable dog owners, while dog owners can take appropriate measures to control behavior.

Constant barking of dogs can be extremely annoying

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. legal situation
  3. contact person
  4. Stop dog barking
  5. background information
  6. frequently asked Questions

    7. the essentials in brief

    • Barking dogs is considered noise pollution and must not last longer than 30 minutes. Barking is not permitted during certain rest periods. What is reasonable and how loud the barking can be depends on the individual case.
    • In the event of a disturbance by the neighbor's dog, those affected can contact the public order office. Ads are allowed by ignoring prompts. In bad cases, the police will help.
    • Training collars are designed to stop inappropriate behavior, but not all models are suitable. Ultrasound devices prove to be ineffective. Training measures to break the habit of constant barking are advisable.
    • Dogs bark for different reasons of communication. It is hereditary and is amplified or suppressed by human behavior. Some breeds are particularly fond of barking.

    Dog barking from a legal point of view

    Dog barking is a noise nuisance

    There are no regulated and clear laws that deal with the subject of barking dogs. When sentencing, courts use previous judgments as a basis, even if they do not have general legal validity. If dog owners are unreasonable and do not attach importance to changing the behavior of their four-legged friend, a fine can be imposed.

    Barking is considered a noise immission

    Dog vocalizations can be considered noise pollution. As such, they represent an immission that is considered to have a harmful effect on the environment. Paragraph 906 of the German 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?

    As a general rule, dogs should not bark for more than 30 minutes a day and ten minutes at a time. If the disruption is considered to be normal, for example in rural areas with farms, neighbors have to tolerate the disruption. This is generally not the case in urban residential areas. Courts condemn the vocalizations of the four-legged friends more leniently or not at all if they occur outside of the rest periods.

    Times when no barking is allowed:

    • lunch break: generally between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m
    • night rest: after 10 p.m. to 6 a.m
    • rest days: Sundays and public holidays

    What is reasonable?

    Dog barking is normal to a certain extent. Dog owners can influence their dog's behavior with the right training. Since barking is a typical character trait, it cannot be stopped completely. The following table gives you an overview of the reasonableness and when dog owners have to fear judgments for disturbing the peace.

    length of time time verdict Reason
    short bark 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 of the house
    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 Every day unreasonable major disturbance of the peace

    How loud can a dog bark?

    The court's decision on noise pollution from dogs varies from case to case

    The law has no clearly defined limit values for the volume (in dB) above which dog barking is no longer reasonable. Therefore, the verdicts are very different depending on the individual case. Because this is an immission, it can be compared to other noise sources 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
    • Wuerzburg: Ban on keeping a Pyrenean Shepherd Dog for disturbing the peace at night
    • new town: Keeping huskies as sled dogs is not permitted in the residential area
    • Dusseldorf: Fine for caretaker whose guard dog disturbed the night's sleep

    background

    Why you should make a noise log

    If you live in a rented apartment and you are bothered by the neighbour's dog barking, you should draw up a noise protocol. This is essential if you want to assert claims such as a rent reduction. According to § 535 BGB, a tenant must ensure that adequate housing is possible for each of his landlords. If you can prove noise pollution with a noise report and through witnesses, a rent reduction is possible.

    Who to contact

    If you are unsure whether the barking of the neighboring dog is considered a disturbance of the peace and noise, you should inform the public order office. If the barking continues for an unreasonable amount 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 welfare.

    Barking dogs - the regulatory office can issue an immediate order

    If there are problems between neighbors, the public order office or the responsible regulatory authority can intervene. If there is a permanent and unreasonable disruption, a complaint can be filed for barking dogs. In the area of tenancy and property law, the civil courts deal with cases in which barking dogs cause noise pollution. The basis for issuing orders is § 117 of the Administrative Offenses Act (OWiG), after barking dogs can be regarded as an administrative offence.

    From noise pollution to reporting

    You don't have to put up with the barking of dogs either at night or during rest periods. Several steps are necessary before a dog barking charge is filed. The dog owner must be given the opportunity to stop the noise pollution. Only if the situation does not change and the dog barking continues to disturb the peace should you take more drastic measures. Templates and samples for warnings or letters of complaint can be found on the Internet.

    How to proceed:

    1. Create a noise log: Record the frequency, duration and intensity of barking
    2. Seek witnesses: Statements must support noise pollution
    3. Write a letter of complaint: Use templates and fill them out in detail
    4. Inform the landlord: talk about the problem so that he can admonish the dog owner
    5. Observe the condition: if there is no improvement, a warning will be issued
    6. Notify the public order office: if neighbors cannot agree, reporting is the last option

    What to do against barking dogs

    Well-behaved dogs bark less

    Dog owners know that even the smartest of dogs won't understand why barking is only allowed at certain times. It is therefore important that you break your dog's bad habits. However, there is no effective remedy for annoying dog barking. For maximum success, it is important that you act quickly on the vocalizations and show presence.

    Stop your dog from constantly barking with bark control collars

    There are various forms of training collars that are intended to make it easier for the master to break the habit of bad manners. It is important to understand the effects of such measures. Dogs should neither be subdued by the impulses nor develop into fearful individuals. The purpose of bark control collars is to divert attention. Therefore, not every product available on the market is suitable.

    Models and their functions:

    • vibration collar: vibrates when the dog starts barking
    • spray collar: sprays water in face when barking
    • power collar: Emits electric shocks when making a sound

    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 kind of collar. They do not understand that the jet of water does not 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 power collar
    effect Four-legged friend is irritated by gentle impulses Dog senses impending danger uncomfortable torment
    Follow good learning effect Barking can increase disturbed behavior, anxiety and panic attacks
    permitted? Yes Yes forbidden in Germany according to animal welfare
    recommendation Yes no no

    Testimonials suggest that a vibration collar is the best choice of 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 housed 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 attract the dog's attention. If this does not stop, the collar will begin to vibrate. Every dog reacts differently to the impulses. Some are only irritated by the sound, while others only respond to the vibrations. Few dogs are unimpressed by these collars.

    tips

    Good vibration bands only stop after the dog has been silent for a certain amount of time. The cheapest models are often not the best.

    Ultrasound for barking dogs?

    There are various devices on the market that work with high frequency against barking dogs. Ultrasonic waves are emitted at a frequency of 25,000 Hertz at the push of a button or triggered by a motion detector. These are imperceptible to the human ear, but are intended to encourage the dog to be 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 away through educational measures

    Gaping dogs want to communicate something to their owners. Therefore, ignorance is the wrong measure. Instead, show your four-legged friend that you are present. Respond to the barking with an acoustic signal that encourages the dog's attention. They convey to the dog that there is no reason to bark any more. When your companion stops barking, give them praise. Even an old dog can be taught to be quiet when spoken to with a little patience and treats.

    tips

    Don't use physical abuse to stop a dog from barking. He doesn't understand the connection between his attention ploy and his master's irritation.

    What you need to know about barking

    Barking was probably encouraged by domestication

    Barking is typical of domestic dogs, which articulate 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 that of wolf pups.

    In order for a dog to bark loudly, its larynx must be relatively large. In addition to barking, there are other language expressions for different situations such as squeaking and whimpering or howling and growling.

    Why dogs bark

    Wolves and other dog species bark in exceptional circumstances. However, this behavior is more common in their puppies. This allows the theory that the willingness to bark in domestic dogs was specifically encouraged by humans. The characteristics typical of puppies were extended over the entire lifespan of the dog in the course of domestication. These traits were inherited so puppies no longer need to learn how to bark through human interaction.

    Function of barking:

    • excitement: Dogs show joy or nervousness
    • animation: Four-legged friends demand attention and want to be kept busy
    • fear: unknown situations make the dog panic
    • defense: Aggressive dog barking drives away strangers and intruders
    • disappointment: something did not go as expected

    digression

    Dog barking as a deterrent

    Loud dog barking is the ideal protection against burglary. 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, which 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 is too time-consuming for you, you can simply use your smartphone to play a barking dog from YouTube to drive away unwanted visitors.

    Barking Breeds

    Every dog has its own personality. There are striking differences with regard to barking. The character of individual individuals of a breed can be very variable, so that some dogs bark more than others.

    youtube

    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 designed to communicate over long distances. Some dog breeds have strong territorial behaviors. They tend to defend their territory with sharp dog barking.

    • Hunting dogs: dachshunds, terriers
    • Guard dogs: Shepherd, Spitz, Rottweiler
    • Breeds with territorial behavior: Pug, Doberman
    • calm dog breeds: golden retrievers, bassets, Irish wolfhounds, mastiffs

    Forbidden: Debarking

    There are some countries in which constant barking of dogs should be reduced 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 the countries. In contrast, the method, which is also known as devocalization, is legal in many US states, for example. Massachusetts is an exception. California has had requests for a ban in the past.

    frequently asked Questions

    Can my landlord give notice of termination?

    In principle, it is possible for a landlord to terminate the apartment if the neighborhood continues to complain about noise pollution despite warnings. If you demonstrably wean 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 a legal dispute threatens, you can show that you take the situation seriously.

    Why is my dog barking continuously?

    Dogs use vocalization as a means of communication. They draw attention to something by barking. Situational barking is normal and part of the typical behavior of four-legged friends. Constant barking is triggered by different factors. Bored dogs often tend to develop this bad habit. They demand attention by making noises to draw attention to themselves. But loneliness can also be a problem. Long walks or dog sports can help, because they keep the dog busy.

    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 the Doberman, Great Dane and German Shepherd. They are dominant and have a stronger instinct for territorial defense. The cause of a high level of aggressiveness can also be traced back to faulty parenting measures in childhood. If puppies have not been properly socialized or trained inconsistently, the negative behaviors will persist into old age.

    What should I do if my dog becomes aggressive?

    Serious cases must be brought up with special obedience training. Professional supervision is advisable to ensure that no mistakes are made. You teach your dog that you determine the boundaries of the territory and determine the potential for danger from visitors or intruders.But there are also mild cases in which fewer educational measures are necessary. Dogs can be better utilized through more variety and employment measures. 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, a medical condition may be present. Barking has several 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 soon as possible. The 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 verbal commands or stares. Often this also animates the dog, because he gets attention. Therefore, you should ignore the dog after the rejection and only praise it once it is quiet. This is a great way to teach your pet what behavior is right and wrong.

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Animals in the garden