Dogs make wonderful companions, but it is important for owners to ensure their dog receives basic training, daily enrichment and exercise to help reduce unwanted behaviors and to keep your canine happy.
- Exercise your dog daily (30mins each day is generally recommended).
- Work with your dog on their socialization with other dogs, animals and people to help reduce potential acts of aggression.
- Ensure you spend quality time with your dog each day to help build your bond (this will help when it comes to training and obedience).
- Provide your dog with toys and other forms of enrichment, particularly when left alone.
- Ensure your dog is always kept on a lead in public unless in a designated off-leash area. (Note: It is important for the safety of your dog and others that you strengthen your dog’s recall skills before you let them off-leash in public. This can help ensure your dog will come back to you when called).
- You must reduce unnecessary barking by your dog.
- If your dog goes missing, contact the Liverpool Animal Shelter.
- Ensure your dog has access to cool, clean water at all times.
- Provide your dog with a well-balanced, high quality diet.
- Ensure your dog has adequate shelter suitable for all weather conditions.
- Take your dog to the vet for regular health checks.
- Desexing your dog prevents unwanted litter and health issues. Pensioners can apply for a desexing subsidy through Liverpool City Council here.
Read Council’s Barking Dog Fact Sheet for information on a range of ways to help reduce your dog’s barking.
If a neighbour’s dog is barking and causing you problems, there are steps you can take:
- Talk to the owner as they may not be aware of the problem.
- If the owner is unapproachable or does not agree that a problem exists, you can contact the Community Justice Centre.
Where there is a barking dog issue, you must keep a two-week record of the date and times the dog was barking and submit the diary record to Council.
Dog attacks should be reported to Council’s Customer Service Centre as soon as possible, on phone 1300 36 2170.
When reporting a dog attack to Council try to provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Where the attack occurred;
- A description of the attack;
- A description of injuries and whether medical attention was required;
- A description of the dog(s) involved;
- If possible, details of the dogs’ owners; and
- Your contact details.
Council’s Animal Rangers will investigate the matter as soon as they can.