Minimize stimuli 

It is normal for dogs to bark at vehicles. They do this at home to some extent (and are usually intermittently rewarded for doing so by their owners), and will continue the behavior in a kennel environment.  If the driveway to a boarding kennel passes the area where animals are held, it is natural that problem barking will be higher in that kennel than at a facility where the driveway and parking area are at some remove from the facility, and do not pass within sight of the dogs. 

Dogs also bark at people who enter their territory. For the duration of the stay at a boarding kennel, the kennel is the dog’s territory and he may alert the staff to intruders to the best of his ability by barking. Minimizing foot traffic in the kennel areas by limiting inspections to a certain time of day is one way to minimize problem barking. The staff may also restrict access to the indoor areas of the kennel unless the dogs are outside at the time, and vice versa. 

Not all dogs are “barkers”, but most dogs will bark if another dog starts. It’s a fun activity, and part of their social interaction. Kennel staff should be familiar with which dogs are aggressive barking instigators, and separate them physically from the “follower” dogs. Separate soundproof isolation facilities should be available to contain instigating barkers where their noise causes the least problem for other dogs, staff, visitors and neighbors.  With instigator dogs isolated the general barking levels should decrease appreciably. 

Feeding is another activity that generates a lot of excitement, and therefore noise. Whenever possible the actual event should take place in as short a time as possible. Kennel staff are encouraged to prepare morning meals the night before whenever possible and when it does not compromise the quality of the food to do so. Dry kibble can easily be set in the appropriate dishes the night before, and canned or fresh food added just before feeding in the morning. The objective is to get all of the dogs fed in as short a period as possible. With good planning it should not take more than 60 minutes to prepare and distribute food to 60 dogs. 

Minimize frustration 

Bored dogs will generally sleep, but some will bark, particularly if they are also frustrated. Lack of exercise leads to physical frustration, and one of the manifestations is barking (along with jumping, fence running, excessive urination or marking, and fence fighting).  Kenneled dogs should get as much exercise as is possible and in keeping with the smooth operation of the kennel. 

A large source of frustration for kenneled dogs is being in sight of dogs that are not kenneled. A sure way to set up a huge problem barking situation is to have one group of dogs contained in runs in view of exercise yards or pens where other dogs are running or playing.  Kennel grounds should be set up such that exercise areas are out of sight of the dogs in kennels with a view of the outside. Dogs that are watching others play or run and are unable to join in (whether because they are on leash or in a kennel) will often bark. If they are unchecked, this barking behavior can continue for very long periods of time.  Where possible exercise areas should be out of normal earshot as well. Playing dogs rarely bark, unless excited by a game or in mock frustration (such as when another dog is keeping a ball away from them). But kenneled dogs will react by barking if they heard play growls or the sound of running feet.

LINKS - Barking noise control and boarding kennels

Some information from other jurisdictions and a few suggestions of methods to prevent barking and related noise in boarding kennels.


Echo Bay Ontario, Laird Township

www.lairdtownship.ca/documents/bylaws/2008/by_law_868_08.htm
5. NOISE CONTROL
The owner or operator of a "kennel" or "Boarding Kennel" shall not permit:
(a) Persistent barking or whining or other persistent noise making by a dog under his or her care.
(b) Where three charges are laid under this section against the owner/operator of a "kennel" or "boarding kennel" resulting in convictions the "kennel" licence or "boarding kennel" licence shall be permanently revoked. 

Armidale Dumaresq Council