Dogs

All dog owners have a responsibility to ensure that their dog is well cared for and does not cause a nuisance to others.

Living with your dog

All dogs bark to a degree, but some barking dogs become a real neighbourhood nuisance - greatly reducing the quality of life for their neighbours and increasing neighbourhood tensions. Barking dogs is the most common animal behaviour problem Council is asked to deal with. Find out about how to manage barking or make a complaint.

Don’t allow your dog to roam – keep your fences secure
Don’t bark excessively – make sure they’re getting enough exercise, and deal with any problems of insecurity or boredom – consult a dog trainer if you're unsure.
Dogs are to be on a leash in public places other than designated off-leash areas
Don’t leave poo in public places – so pick it up immediately, bag it and bin it
Ensure dogs don’t behave threateningly – so give them proper training.

Leaving pet litter in a public place is not only unpleasant and unhealthy, but also against the law. When taking your dog for a walk, be responsible to take your own dog litter bag with you. If you forget your dog litter bags on your walk, some places like our Dog friendly parks | AlburyCity , or walking paths like Noreuil Park have dog litter bag dispensers in them.

Keeping your dog safe

Animals (like us) can suffer from heat stress. It is very important on hot days to ensure that your pet has access to water at home. The RSPCA list the following tips to manage heat stress and your pet:

Have extra bowls of water in case one is tipped over
Fill a takeaway container with beef/chicken stock, freeze overnight and give to your pet
Place ice cubes in water bowls. Be careful, as some animals will avoid drinking the water if they are concerned about the floating ice cubes. A good alternative is to freeze half a water bowl the night before and top the remainder up with cool water when putting it out
Provide extra shade areas in your backyard using shade cloth and umbrellas
Fill a paddling pool with water and let your pet play in it (under your supervision)
Walk your dog in the early morning or late evening to avoid the heat of the day

Never leave your dog in a parked car. Temperatures inside cars can rise very quickly, even if it is cloudy outside, and you could lose your best mate in just 6 minutes
Your vehicle must have a properly installed dog restraint. Restraints can help to stop your dog distracting you and reduce the risk of injury in an accident
Don’t let your dog ride with its head out the window. This can cause eye irritations. Your dog jumping out is also a possibility. Open the window enough so that some air can come in
A waterproof sheet can come in handy. Carry paper towels and disinfectant in case your dog has a ‘doggy accident’. Consider stopping every couple of hours so your dog can stretch its legs. You will also appreciate the break
Take your dog for a walk before your journey
Avoid feeding your dog for a couple of hours before you travel
If you are taking your pet with you on a road trip, follow these tips from the RSPCA.

Public spaces

Dogs must be leashed at all times in public places to ensure they are under control and to increase the safety of other animals and people in the area. Remember that many people are frightened or annoyed by dogs that are not leashed; you should always be considerate of other people. Council provides a number of off leash areas for dogs around the city.

Dog friendly parks | AlburyCity

Every dog needs the freedom to exercise and socialise. That’s why we provide five designated areas where your dog can run and play safely.

Heathwood Park Alexandra Park - Off Leash Area Gordon Street Reserve Logan Road Park

At home

A straying dog causes distress to neighbours and the community. Dogs that are not kept safely behind a fence can risk being injured or cause injury to others. As a responsible pet owner, it is important that your fence or dog enclosures is: