Keeping the Peace: Noise-Reducing Tips for Dog Owners Living With Roommates

Sharing your space with both a dog and a roommate can be incredibly rewarding, but also challenging when it comes to managing noise. Dogs bark, play, and sometimes whine, which can be frustrating for others who don’t share your love for your furry companion. Whether your roommate is a fellow dog lover or just tolerating your pup, reducing noise is essential to maintaining a peaceful home.

This guide offers practical, roommate-friendly strategies for minimizing dog-related noise without compromising your pet’s well-being.

Understand Your Dog’s Triggers

Dogs don’t bark without reason. They might be alerting you to strangers, reacting to outside noises, or seeking attention. The first step to quieting your home is identifying what sets your dog off. Is it the mail carrier? Loud cars? The sound of someone opening the fridge?

Take note of when your dog barks the most and what’s happening around them. This will help you tailor your noise-reduction strategies to your dog’s specific behavior.

Communicate With Your Roommate

Start by having a respectful conversation with your roommate. Acknowledge that living with a dog can be noisy, and let them know you're working to improve the situation. Ask about their specific concerns – maybe your dog’s early morning energy or evening barking is what bothers them most.

A collaborative approach helps build understanding and reduces resentment. Together, you can even establish quiet hours or agree on shared expectations around noise.

Keep Your Dog Mentally Stimulated

Bored dogs are noisy dogs. If your pup isn’t getting enough stimulation, they’ll find ways to entertain themselves – often vocally.

Try rotating puzzle toys, frozen treat dispensers, or interactive games like hide-and-seek. Regular stimulation (both mental and physical) can drastically reduce excessive barking and whining. Aim for consistent play sessions and brain games throughout the day, especially before your roommate’s downtime.

Create a Calm Zone

Designate a space in your apartment as your dog’s “quiet corner.” Often, turning a bedroom into a quiet corner by installing a walk-through gate is the best solution, as it allows you to contain your dog in your own private space. Fill it with their bed, favorite toys, and maybe a white noise machine. Encourage your dog to relax there, especially when things get lively in the common areas.

If your dog tends to bark at hallway noises or passersby, reposition their resting spot away from doors and windows. Even small environmental changes can have a big impact on reducing noise triggers.

Calm Your Dog Down When They Bark

Barking is your dog’s way of alerting you to potential danger. But when they bark at harmless sights and sounds, it can quickly become a nuisance. Many people unintentionally reinforce this behavior by yelling at their dog to stop. Unfortunately, yelling can sound like barking to your dog—so instead of helping, it may feel like you're chiming in, confirming their sense that something’s wrong.

That’s why it’s important to do the opposite: stay calm and help your dog calm down, too. This shows them there’s nothing to worry about. One simple way to do this is by giving them a slow shoulder rub or back massage until they relax. It really can be that easy.

For situations like deliveries—where a stranger comes onto the property—you can also help your dog build positive associations by offering high-value treats during or right after the person arrives.

Consistency is key. The more often you respond with calm reassurance and/or pairing the delivery of food with someone coming to your door, the faster your dog will learn that these everyday sounds aren’t a threat—and the less they’ll feel the need to sound the alarm.

To get help for your dog’s excessive barking, consider taking our Barking Be Gone program, which can drastically reduce the amount of barking your dog does in just 8 weeks.

Use Sound Barriers

Not all noise can be trained away. Sometimes, you need a little acoustic help. Consider these noise-reducing tricks:

• Rugs and curtains: Soft materials absorb sound. Placing rugs in common areas and using heavy curtains can muffle noise.

• Draft blockers: Gaps under doors can let in (and out) a lot of sound. Door sweeps or rolled-up towels can reduce this.

• White noise machines: These can drown out street or hallway sounds that might otherwise provoke barking.

These small changes can reduce both external noises that trigger your dog and the internal ones that affect your roommate.

Stick to a Predictable Routine

Dogs thrive on routine. If your dog knows when to expect walks, meals, and playtime, they’re less likely to get anxious and noisy. Set a daily schedule and stick to it as much as possible. If your dog gets enough exercise and attention throughout the day, they’ll be more relaxed (and quieter) when your roommate is home.

Also, avoid letting your dog become overexcited during roommate comings and goings. Training them to stay calm when the door opens can keep noise levels down.

Consider Daycare or Dog Walkers

If you’re out during the day and your dog’s barking is disturbing your roommate, it may be time to explore doggy daycare or a professional dog walker. This can break up long, lonely days and prevent barking caused by boredom or separation anxiety.

While these options come at a cost, the improved household peace and maintained roommate harmony can be well worth the investment.

Respect Shared Spaces

Even if your roommate is dog-friendly, it’s important to be respectful of shared areas. Don’t let your dog bark, whine, or run wild in common rooms when your roommate is trying to relax or work.

Consider using baby gates to section off areas when necessary. Always clean up after your dog and make sure their toys or water bowls aren’t scattered across the living room. A tidy, controlled environment sets the tone for a quieter, more peaceful home.

Find the Right Roommate

If you're still looking for someone to share your space (or if the noise has already driven your current roommate out), consider starting with someone who already understands life with dogs. Find Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Austin, or San Francisco rooms on SpareRoom (or anywhere else in the US). You can filter listings and preferences, making it easier to find dog-friendly housemates from the start.

Being upfront about your dog and lifestyle can save a lot of future frustration for both you and your roommate.

Conclusion

Living with both a dog and a roommate doesn’t have to mean constant conflict over barking or noise. With a mix of training, communication, routine, and environment tweaks, it’s possible to enjoy harmony in your shared home. Every dog – and roommate – is different, but by being proactive and considerate, you’ll build a living arrangement that works for everyone involved, tails included.