Dogs that bark do not bite. But dog barking in particular is often a significant disruptive factor. This happens again and again, especially in urban residential areas. Many dogs bark when they are alone – and the neighbor has to listen to it. While you can stop your dog from barking at strangers or when the doorbell rings, it becomes a lot more difficult if the dog barks while its owner is at work. Those who have pets themselves may still be able to show some understanding; if you don’t, you will quickly perceive the barking as a disturbance of the peace and may take legal action against the dog owner.
- However, dog barking is only considered noise nuisance if it takes place continuously within the prescribed rest periods between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. or during the day for a longer period of time.
- If the dog barking occurs regularly over a longer period of time during the day and also at night, this fact can lead to rent reductions.
- Most of the time, a fine is due at the public order office, but there may also be additional compensation payments for the owner of the no longer rentable apartment.
- With a little training, you can usually stop the dog from barking.
Disturbance of the peace by dog barking
Depending on whether the barking is very loud, the neighbors will quickly develop it from a simple disturbance of the peace to a noise nuisance. However, dog barking is only considered noise nuisance if it takes place continuously within the prescribed rest periods between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. or during the day for a longer period of time. Paragraphs 906 and 1004 of the Civil Code prove this.
Barking is therefore an impairment of the use of private property. It is definitely an advantage to read the house rules carefully before buying a dog or moving. The keeping of pets in rental apartments is often precisely regulated or even prohibited and provides information about the extent to which barking is tolerated. In the event that the noise becomes unacceptable, the landlord’s permission to keep pets can even be revoked. It should be noted, however, that this unreasonableness again depends on the individual case.
Rent reduction through barking dogs
If the dog barking occurs regularly over a longer period of time during the day and also at night, this fact can lead to rent reductions. In the worst case scenario, apartments can no longer be rented out. Then the owner bears a financial loss in the sense of the lack of rental income.
Most of the time, a fine is due at the public order office, but there may also be additional compensation payments for the owner of the no longer rentable apartment. However, dogs cannot be completely banned from barking. Anyone who takes out dog liability insurance can protect themselves against legal consequences from the outset and look forward to life with their dog in a more relaxed manner.
Dog training: stop barking
With a little training, you can usually stop the dog from barking. Various dog trainers provide videos and suggestions on YouTube and on their homepages and they can help with training. In particularly difficult cases, the attendance of a dog school has already been ordered by a court.
