Over the summer holidays, our pets enjoyed having us at home more than usual. This leads some dogs to develop separation anxiety - the most common cause being a change in routine, such as their owners returning to work or the kids being back at school. All dogs can develop separation anxiety and it is not particular to certain breeds or ages. The most common sign is excessive barking. 

Our Animal Control team, received a total of 154 barking dog complaints throughout the district in the 2023-24 year, with 183 reported the year before. We can all agree that excessive barking isn't a good time for anyone so we've gathered some helpful tips to help reduce separation anxiety in our fur friends.

Recommendations by Australian Animal Behaviourist Dr. Kate Mornement include:

• Create a safe space in their home where they can relax, with the same blanket and bed they are used to.
• Leave your dog with something it loves or something to keep it occupied like their favourite toy and/or a food puzzle toy, licking is a soothing activity for dogs.
• If your dog is used to having noise throughout the day try audio stimulation, Spotify has created playlists specifically for this - check them out here.
• Doggy Day Care can reduce separation anxiety in dogs, working as a distraction. We have great local options available in our district.
• Slowly desensitise by regularly doing activities associated with leaving the house e.g. grabbing your keys and/or putting on shoes. By doing this even when you’re not leaving, the dog slowly becomes used to these triggers and feels less anxious.

If you or someone you know is struggling with barking dogs in our district you can find the online Barking Dogs Complaint Form here. Please note - that in order to prove the complaint, the dog(s) barking or howling must be both loud and persistent.