WAREHAM - About 14 months ago, Calvin Carnes’ dog, a Cane Corso, had four pups.

Since that time, the pups and the mother have taken to barking when people walk by the house or nearby, said Kayla Carnes, Calvin’s daughter.

The barking has become an issue in the neighborhood, with neighbors putting in calls to the police about the noise. Animal Control Officer Cheryl Gorveatt-Dill brought the matter to the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night.

“There have been numerous complaints,” said Gorveatt-Dill. “The neighbors have requested that greater measures be taken.”

Eve-Marie Aseltine, a neighbor, said she has been woken up at night “from deep sleep” on occasion by the barking and hears it sporadically throughout the day, sometimes for up to two hours.

“I don’t know how dogs can bark for three hours, but they were barking for three hours Saturday night a few weeks ago,” said John Terrell, who lives nearby.

Gorveatt-Dill said she has been working with the Carnes family, “who want to fix the situation. They work with me ... I’ve sat two houses down and could hear the dogs barking on the back porch and they responded right away. The Cane Corso is a very large dog, and the (breed) can be imposing, so neighbors were also concerned about the times they have gotten loose.”

Kayla Carnes told the board Tuesday night that the family has invested in numerous strategies to reduce the barking - including an indoor kennel, an outdoor kennel, a bark box (an ultrasound device to deter barking), and obedience school.

Gorveatt-Dill recommended that if the dogs had less visibility to people coming and going down the street, it could reduce the barking. Specifically, she suggested an opaque barrier fencing, along with supervised outdoor excursions before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m., a secure, locking pen so the dogs can’t get loose - as some neighbors recounted the dogs approaching them, barking.

If those methods do not address the problem, Gorveatt-Dill recommended a muzzle.

“That’s as a last resort,” said the animal control officer, as Selectman Peter Teitelbaum expressed concern over the use of a muzzle, particularly in summer, as they can impede breathing, drinking, and feeding.

Dog owner Calvin Carnes agreed with Gorveatt-Dill’s recommendations and he is currently interviewing for a dog walker for the pups, as well.

“We want to address this, and we are,” said Carnes.

The board went with Gorveatt-Dill’s recommendations, giving the Carnes family 21 days to comply, 5-0.