Pets, especially dogs, can cause conflict in a strata community. Excessive barking can disturb neighbours and affect their enjoyment of their homes, so address the cause early.
This guide covers practical ways to reduce barking, manage neighbour concerns and understand the body corporate process in Queensland.
How can you stop a dog barking in an apartment?
Dogs bark for different reasons, including attention, perceived intruders, boredom and stress. The right approach depends on what triggers your dog.
Start by observing when the barking happens. Does it begin when you leave, when people walk past the window or when your dog hears sounds outside? Keeping a simple record can help you identify patterns.
Use reward-based training and avoid punishment. If the barking continues or appears connected to anxiety, seek advice from a qualified behavioural professional or veterinarian. You can also read more about pets in a body corporate property.
What is causing your dog to bark?
A dog may bark because it is seeking attention, reacting to movement or sounds, or feeling bored or stressed. Barking may also be linked to separation concerns or a change in the dog’s surroundings.
Consider whether your dog has enough activity, company and appropriate stimulation during the day. If the behaviour is sudden, persistent or difficult to manage, qualified advice can help identify the cause.
What exercise and enrichment can reduce barking?
Exercise before you leave can help reduce boredom during the day. If your schedule does not allow time for a walk, a dog-walking service may be an option.
Provide safe chew toys or other enrichment while you are away. These may help when boredom contributes to barking, but they will not guarantee silence.
A qualified, reward-based trainer can suggest other strategies for excessive barking. Avoid relying on one technique without considering why your dog is making the noise.
How can you manage visual and noise triggers?
If your dog barks at people, animals or movement outside, try blocking its view through windows. Drawing blinds or curtains before leaving may reduce visual triggers.
Television, radio or white noise may mask some outside sounds. Keep the volume at a safe level so it does not add to your dog’s stress or disturb neighbours. Loud background noise can have the opposite effect, so monitor how your dog responds.
Do not use spray collars, pheromone collars or anxiety jackets based on claims that they are harmless or effective. For persistent or anxiety-related barking, seek advice from a qualified professional.
What should you avoid when trying to stop barking?
Do not assume that exercise, toys, background noise or one training method will stop the barking. Avoid shouting at your dog, as this may increase stress or make the situation harder to understand.
Instead:
- identify the likely trigger
- make gradual changes
- reward calm behaviour
- monitor whether the change is helping
- obtain qualified behavioural or veterinary advice where needed.
Consider your neighbours as well. A reasonable plan may involve changing your dog’s routine, limiting access to a trigger or arranging support during the day.
What do Queensland body corporate by-laws say about dogs and noise?
The Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997, known as the BCCM Act, applies to most Queensland community titles schemes with a community management statement. Your scheme’s by-laws may regulate animals, so check them before bringing or keeping a dog in your lot.
A by-law cannot prohibit keeping an animal outright. However, a permissive animal by-law may require approval before you keep a dog. Approval cannot be unreasonably refused, and the committee generally has 21 days to decide before the animal may be deemed approved.
Even without a specific animal by-law, other by-laws can still apply, including rules about noise. A dog that causes a nuisance or unreasonably interferes with another occupier’s use or enjoyment of their lot or common property may become a body corporate issue.
What can neighbours do about ongoing barking?
Owners and occupiers should try to resolve barking concerns directly and respectfully first. Explain what is happening, when it occurs and what outcome you are seeking. Put the conversation in writing and keep a record of repeated incidents, as this may help if the issue continues.
If informal steps do not resolve the problem, a resident can raise the ongoing barking with the body corporate. The body corporate is responsible for enforcing its by-laws, and an owner or occupier can ask it to act where a breach is likely to continue or be repeated.
The body corporate may issue a contravention notice where it believes a by-law is being breached. If the issue remains unresolved, further dispute resolution steps may be available.
Addressing the cause of barking early, communicating respectfully and checking the scheme’s by-laws can help maintain a positive living environment. If you need help with a body corporate concern, contact StrataCare at reception@stratacare.com.au.
