Explore how to manage your dog’s barking for a peaceful, neighbor-friendly environment.
When living in an apartment, noise control is important. Not just for your own sake, but for that of your many neighbors. A harmonious living situation is the ideal, and excessive barking from a dog can put a wrench in that. We explore how to be respectful to neighbors and get a handle on your dog’s barking.
Training is helpful in reducing the frequency and volume of dog barking. Sometimes dogs bark because they’re unsure of how else to communicate how they’re feeling, or it can be due to anxiety and stress. Training—whether it's crate training or desensitization—can help. If you don’t feel comfortable and want professional advice, a certified dog trainer can help determine what training might be best for your dog.
Boredom can cause dogs to bark, so whether you’re at home or away from the house, find ways to keep your dog entertained. One way to do that is through puzzle toys that keep your dog’s mind active. Kong toys that have pockets for treats are also great options.
Hand in hand with entertainment, excess energy can be a cause for excessive barking, but exercise can help mitigate that. Walks and dedicated playtime can make a big difference. If you’re busy during the day and can’t squeeze walks in, consider hiring a Rover to come by and take your dog out to play while you’re away.
Barking isn’t always caused by boredom or the mailman doing his route. In some cases, barking can be indicative of a more serious cause, like separation anxiety. Vets can be great help in understanding what is causing the excessive barking as well as providing treatment options whether that be more training, medication, or a switch up in routine.
🚨Don’t medicate your pet without express direction and instruction from a vet.
Hand in hand with training, positive reinforcement is a way to reward your dog for doing a desired behavior. In the case of barking, give your dog a treat or an extra cuddle when they show restraint or refrain from barking at or around specific things that typically trigger them. Over time, positive reinforcement will make it so whether you’re there or not, your dog doesn’t make excessive noise.
Sometimes you have to close the blinds or front door because your dog is getting distracted and agitated at what’s going on outside. The outside world can’t be helped, but how you help your dog direct their attention can. If your dog gets riled up by visual cues, make it difficult for them to see outside. In the case of sound, mitigate noise.
Sometimes, outside noises from neighbors or other animals can set your dog off on a barking spree. One way to get around that is to muffle outside noise with inside noise. The TV or radio can be a great option and can also make dogs feel more comfortable in case a quiet house disconcerts them. But be sure that the TV or radio isn’t so loud as to disturb your dog or neighbors.
If you’re able to afford it, hiring a pet sitter to accompany your dog throughout the day can be a big help. Nowadays, pet sitters have a whole menu of options, such as a full day of friendship, sporadic potty breaks, or small walks throughout the day. Over time you’ll get a better understanding of what your particular dog needs to stay level-headed and not too wound up.
Figuring out how to handle your dog’s barking can take a little time. While you’re in the process of training them, it can be helpful to do what you can within your home to muffle the sound to outsiders.
All doors have tiny gaps on them and one of the biggest offenders in letting in and out sound can be your front door. Many apartments and homes already have door sweeps built into the door, but they aren’t always heavy-duty or strong enough. If you’re able to purchase an acoustic door seal, that can be a great option. But in the case of renters, before making any sort of change to your rental, ask your landlord.
There are some door sweeps that are double-sided and best used for interior doors like this one from HADOR Store or a more heavy-duty option could be the acoustic door seal kit from Audimute.
Carpets and rugs not only ensure your feet don’t get cold, but they also help to dampen noise in a space by absorbing it. Some are made specifically for soundproofing and while you can’t always convince your landlord to get carpet—or carpet isn’t in your personal budget—rugs are another great alternative and can be easily cleaned should a pet mess occur.
If you already have a rug you love, consider getting a soundproof rug pad from places like RugPadUSA that offer cushioning and soundproofing at the same time.
This isn’t necessarily for the renters, but acoustic panels can be another more permanent option for homeowners. If a pet is usually allocated to one room when you’re away, this can be great since the material of the panels soaks up the sound of barking. In the case that you do rent and really want to embark on this journey, consult with your landlord since this requires drilling holes in the wall that may go against your rental agreement.
Luckily for us, acoustic panels are cute! There are customizable, colorful mosaic style ones like this option from Felt Right, or more to the point options like these from Acoustic Mac.
Sometimes a crate can be exactly what your dog needs to feel safest when you aren’t home. Even then, your pup may still be vocal about their feelings for a time. That’s where soundproofing comes in. There are crate covers that aid in keeping your dog relaxed while tucked safely inside their crates without being dangerously heavy or constrictive.
MidWest makes multiple sizes and colors of crate covers that create privacy and also ensure proper ventilation. Or Molly Mutt makes a great geometric design that again, comes in multiple sizes.
As with the door sweeps, window inserts can add an extra layer of soundproofing to your home. Luckily, it works to keep inside noises in and outside noises out, so if your pet gets triggered or set off by cars or people walking by, this can help for that reason as well. The great thing is that this workaround doesn’t require any permanent changes to be made to your windows, making it perfect for renters.
Amazon has a few window insulation kits that are meant to dampen noise. Or if you want something more heavy-duty, consider reaching out to professionals to get more information, like with the Acoustical Solutions PrivacyShield kit.
Potentially. Excessive barking can be a violation of local noise ordinances and can be a breach of any pet policies or contracts that owners signed when moving in.
This one is a little tough to define exactly. Excessive is persistent and disruptive barking, and particularly loud barking can also be a disturbance.
Barking is a form of communication for dogs, so it can’t be completely eradicated. If your dog barks excessively, it's best to remove their access to triggers. That can mean closing curtains so they can’t see the squirrels outside or soundproofing your home so they can’t hear as much outside noise.
As a last resort, yes. We don’t recommend turning to litigation from the jump. Instead, consider talking to your neighbor or go through the leasing office to make your complaints.
That depends. If a person comes to you directly about your dog’s barking, be respectful and try not to get defensive. A complaint could also come through your leasing office or even animal control or local authorities. Regardless, try to understand where they’re coming from and do your best to take their concerns into consideration.
