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Download BarkCatcher from the download page and run the installer for your operating system. On Windows, run the .exe installer and follow the prompts. On macOS, open the .dmg and drag BarkCatcher to your Applications folder. On Linux, make the AppImage executable (chmod +x) and run it, or install the .deb or .rpm package with your package manager. BarkCatcher requires an internet connection for the initial license activation but works offline after that.

To get started, click "New Case" and give it a name — for example, "Backyard - July 2026." Then click "Import Audio" to add your recording files. BarkCatcher accepts WAV, MP3, M4A, FLAC, and OGG formats. You can import multiple files at once, and each file will be analyzed in sequence. For the best results, use recordings that are at least a few hours long and captured from a consistent location near the barking.

Quiet hours let BarkCatcher flag barking events that fall within your local noise ordinance's protected hours. Go to Case Settings and enter your quiet-hours window — for example, 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. BarkCatcher will then count how many bark events and total minutes of barking occurred during those hours, and include a dedicated quiet-hours section in your exported report. Check your city or county noise ordinance for the exact hours that apply to your area.

Your license key is in the purchase confirmation email from Lemon Squeezy, sent to the email address you used at checkout. If you can't find the email, visit Lemon Squeezy's My Orders page at app.lemonsqueezy.com/my-orders — enter your email and they'll send you a link to view all your orders and license keys. Your key is a long alphanumeric string that looks something like XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX.

Open BarkCatcher on your new device and click "Enter License Key" (or go to Settings → License). Paste your license key and click Activate. The app will verify the key online and activate on that device. Make sure you have an active internet connection during activation. If you've already used all your device slots, you'll need to deactivate one of your existing devices first.

If you need to move BarkCatcher to a new computer, first export any cases you want to keep. Then open BarkCatcher on the old device, go to Settings → License, and click "Deactivate this machine." This frees up the device slot so you can activate the same key on a different computer. If you no longer have access to the old device (lost, broken, or wiped), email [email protected] with your license key and we'll deactivate it for you.

All billing is managed through Lemon Squeezy, our payment processor. To update your payment method, visit Lemon Squeezy's My Orders page at app.lemonsqueezy.com/my-orders, enter the email you purchased with, and follow the link they send. From there you can update your card on file, view invoices, and manage your subscription. BarkCatcher does not store your payment details directly.

To upgrade from the Free edition to Homeowner or Agency, visit the pricing page and purchase the plan you want. Enter the new license key in BarkCatcher to unlock the additional features. To switch between paid plans (for example, Homeowner to Agency), purchase the new plan and enter the new key — your old plan will continue until it expires. Contact [email protected] if you need help with a plan change or prorated credit.

If BarkCatcher isn't the right fit, email [email protected] within 7 days of your purchase and we'll process a refund. Include the email address you used to purchase and your license key (if you have it handy). Refunds are issued through Lemon Squeezy and returned to your original payment method. Processing typically takes 5–10 business days depending on your bank. Upon refund, your license key will be deactivated.

If BarkCatcher isn't finding barks in your recordings, check a few things. First, make sure the audio file is a supported format (WAV, MP3, M4A, FLAC, or OGG) and isn't corrupted — try playing it back in another app. Second, check that the recording volume is loud enough — if the barking is very faint compared to background noise, the detector may miss it. Try recording from a location closer to the barking dog. Third, check the detection sensitivity in Case Settings — lowering the confidence threshold will catch quieter or more distant barks, though it may also increase false positives. If the problem persists, email [email protected] with a short sample clip and we'll investigate.

If BarkCatcher is flagging non-bark sounds (traffic, TV, voices, other animals), try raising the confidence threshold in Case Settings. The default is tuned for a balance between catching real barks and filtering noise, but a noisier environment may need a higher threshold. You can also use the review screen to step through each detection and reject false positives — BarkCatcher recalculates your statistics and report based only on confirmed events. For best results, position your recording device as close to the barking dog as practical and away from other noise sources like roads, TVs, or HVAC units.

If the export button is grayed out or you see a message about needing a license, make sure you have an active paid license (Homeowner or Agency edition). The Free edition lets you analyze and review audio but does not include the export and reporting features. If you do have a paid license and export still fails, try restarting BarkCatcher and make sure your license is activated (Settings → License should show your plan name and an active status). If the issue persists, email [email protected] with a screenshot of the error.