Help your dog to be a good neighbour

We are asking local residents to help their dogs to be good neighbours. The request comes in response to Noise Action Week (19-24 May), a national campaign raising awareness about noise pollution.

While all dogs bark sometimes, constant barking and whining can be a burden to people living close by and has been linked with health conditions including stress and high blood pressure. Last year alone, our environmental health team received 359 complaints about barking dogs from local residents - that's nearly one each day and equates to a whopping 40% of all noise complaints received to the council in 2024.

Dog owners are asked to consider what impact their dog's barking may have on their neighbours and to do what they can to keep noise to a minimum - particularly if they leave their pet alone. Suggested techniques include early training, making sure they have adequate exercise and play time, and not leaving them outside. Owners are also encouraged to walk and feed their dog before going out and to make sure they have a comfortable bed and have toys available for them to play with. Dogs which bark when they are left alone may also benefit from a radio being left on at low volume and from doors and windows being screened.

Where possible owners are advised not to leave their dog alone for extended periods, but where this is unavoidable, to arrange for someone to call round to walk them or briefly let them outside.

Cllr Chris McEwan, deputy leader, Darlington Borough Council, said: "Creating safer, healthier and more engaged communities is one our main priorities and we are committed to working with local residents to address issues that are impacting them. Excessive barking is the leading cause of noise complaints to the council and campaigns like this encourage people to think about issues which they may not realise are affecting their neighbours, offering simple solutions to ensure our neighbourhoods are harmonious and Darlington remains a great place to live."