Dealing with a Neighbor’s Dog Barking All Day

When your neighbor’s dog barks all day, it causes distress for you and other nearby neighbors. Dogs bark for a reason, and if it’s an ongoing issue, it’s likely that the dog is bored, lonely, or anxious. This of course is not the dog’s fault, and may be a simple problem for the owner to correct – if they are willing. If not, there are other ways to get some relief.

How to Stop Neighbor’s Dog from Barking

Your neighbor’s dog barking is annoying. But is it legally considered a nuisance? In Texas, a noise generally becomes a nuisance when it’s too loud, lasts a long time, and happens often.

Some cities, however, have specific laws to define nuisance dog barking. In Houston, a dog is considered a nuisance if it meets the following description:

 
“Substantially interferes with the right to enjoyment of life or property by persons other than the owner by acts including, but not limited to, frequent, long, or continued barking or howling, repeated defecation on property other than that of the owner, or damaging property other than that of the owner”
 

Learn more about this, including how to declare a dog as a nuisance.

What Can I Do About My Neighbor’s Barking Dog?

Talk to your neighbor before submitting a formal complaint about their dog. Calm and civil conversation often solves nuisance disputes before they begin. Furthermore, giving your neighbor the chance to solve the problem on their own may keep relations with them amicable.

If your neighbor isn’t receptive to your complaint, consider speaking to their landlord (if they are a tenant). If you document your complaint in some way, this is also likely to resolve the problem faster if you do need to go the legal route, as you can use it to show an unwillingness to cooperate.

Filing a noise complaint

If the above options fall flat, instead of filling out the form for nuisance dog barking, you can submit a general noise complaint. The easiest way to do this is by calling 311. This is a non-emergency information line that will direct you to the appropriate department for your complaint. Most major cities also have a website or mobile app to submit complaints or service requests through 311. Read more about your options for filing a noise complaint here.

What Happens When I Submit a Dog Barking Noise Complaint?

The first response to a complaint about a dog barking is a warning letter. This gives the owner a chance to fix the problem. Subsequent complaints usually result in one or two fines, and may or may not require legal proceedings. In extreme cases, dogs may be taken away from their owners, or owners may be arrested.

Solving the Problem Yourself

If a noise complaint didn’t solve your problem, or if you’d rather take matters into your own hands first, you have an option: soundproofing your windows.

Windows let in a lot of sound, even when they are closed. Adding a soundproof window insert over your existing window reduces the sound of dogs barking by up to 75% depending on the type of dog. And it’s not just dogs – you’ll also enjoy peace from traffic, music, and any other excessive noise.

It’s important to install soundproof window inserts correctly to ensure maximum efficiency. That’s why Sun and Sound Windows is a full-service company. We measure, manufacture, and install inserts in Houston, Austin, DFW, and nearby communities.

Learn more about our soundproof window inserts here, or get started with a free online estimate.