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How to Handle Barking Dogs Near Your Vacation Rental
by Robin Fowler

Your vacation rental should offer guests all of the comforts of home, and that includes plenty of peace and quiet. So, what should you do if a neighbor has dogs that bark excessively, day and night?

Simply put, excessively barking dogs are annoying. They are irritating at night, and they are bothersome during the day. I can’t think of anyone who enjoys listening to dogs constantly making noise, and no one should have to. Especially the guests at your vacation rental property! If someone moves in next to your vacation rental condo, or lives in the vicinity of your rental property, and has excessively barking canines, don’t think that your vacation rental business has to go to the dogs! There are ways that you can handle the situation, without the situation turning ugly.

What should you do if you receive a complaint from one of your renters about barking dogs? First, ask your guests not to deal with the neighbor themselves. Let them know that you will contact them immediately, and try to take care of the situation. As the owner of the property, it is your responsibility to handle problems like these. If you live near your rental property, make a trip over there to speak to them face to face.

Approach the situation with tender feet, and try to be as pleasant as possible. You can try bringing some dog treats or toys with you, as a sort of peace offering to the neighbors, and as a way of getting on the dogs’ good sides. By buttering up the neighbors and the dogs, you might be able to explain the problem, and get the situation taken care of right away!

If you live too far from your vacation rental property to pay a visit in person, contact the community’s homeowner’s association, if there is one. Either they will provide you with contact information for the neighbor, and you can give them a call, or a representative from the association might be willing to contact them for you. It is a good idea to let the homeowner’s association know about the situation anyway, in case other neighbors have complained, or complain in the future. No matter how you contact the neighbor, make sure you document all communication with them!

There is always the chance that the neighbors will not be willing to cooperate with you, no matter how nice you are. This is where you will likely have the law on your side. Check the laws in the area and see if there is a noise ordinance. Some communities even have ordinances specifically prohibiting excessive dog barking, day or night. If the neighbor is less than willing to cooperate with you, calling the police might be your best solution.

It is in your best interest to take care of a nuisance situation like excessively barking dogs near your vacation rental. If potential renters get wind of the continual problem, you could lose valuable business!