Barking is a natural form of communication for dogs, but when it’s directed at other dogs it can be embarrassing for their humans! If it’s excessive, or aggressive, then you will need to address the behaviour. So, let’s look at why your dog barks at other dogs, and what you can do about it.
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Why does my dog bark when he sees other dogs?
There are several possibilities as to why your dog is barking at other dogs. In order to learn how to prevent unwanted barking, you first need to work out why your dog is barking at other dogs.
Possible causes of barking at other dogs include:
Frustration
If your dog or puppy wants to play with another dog, they may bark out of frustration if they aren’t able to, for example if they are on the lead. While this is an innocent reason for barking, it can be misread by other dogs as aggression, and doesn’t make for a peaceful walk! Frustrated dogs may pull on the lead, wag their tail, whine and bark.
Greeting or excitement
Your dog may bark to greet other dogs, or in excitement at seeing them. If this is the case your dog’s body language would be relaxed, happy and playful.
Fear
Your dog may bark through fear of other dogs, in which case your dog would likely show submissive or fearful body language.
Asserting themselves
Your dog may be trying to assert their presence, perhaps displaying a rigid body, fixed stare and raised fur. This is especially common in dogs on a lead, or around the perimeter of their home, since they are asserting their ownership of “their” territory (territorial barking).
Dogs will also sometimes try to ‘protect’ their owner from a possible threat, such as a dog they don’t trust. This often seems to be the case if a dog has had a nasty experience before with other dogs.
So, how do you tell the difference? Look at when or where the barking happens. Is it all dogs or only certain types? Is it only when they are on the lead? Most importantly, look at their body language.
How do I get my dog to stop barking at other dogs?
The solution will depend on the cause! As with all training, your mindset needs to come away from “how can I stop my dog’s unwanted behaviour”. Suppressing a dog’s natural behaviours and emotions can lead to more problematic behaviours and/or emotions, just as it would in humans. Instead, think “what would I like them to do instead?”, while remembering your dog’s emotions and the reason behind the behaviour. For example, if your dog is fearful, allowing them to retreat to a ‘safe space’ is a better redirection of the barking than forcing them to say hello to the other dog.
Top tips for training your dog not to bark at other dogs:
Top tips for training your dog not to bark at other dogs
Involve professionals!
Ask your vet for advice, and consider asking for referral to a qualified behaviourist. It is always better to seek advice earlier rather than later, especially if the reasons for a dog’s behaviour aren’t immediately clear.
Try to be pre-emptive
Try to pick up on your dog’s body language and intervene before your dog starts barking. Use a command such as ‘sit’ to redirect their attention towards you. What you do next will depend on the reason for the barking. Offer them a treat, and when they are sitting quietly then allow them to (depending on the reason for the barking)…
- move away to a safe place, or
- play with the other dog (of course always remember to check with the other dog’s owner that it’s ok first!), or
- continue your walk.
This training will have the added benefit that your dog will start to associate seeing other dogs with getting a treat, making it a more positive experience for them.
Make sure your dog has enough mental and physical exercise (or enrichment)
Emotions tend to run higher when dogs have too much energy they need to release, or are bored.
Consider walking in quieter areas or at quieter times
If your dog is anxious or aggressive around other dogs, minimise the number of dogs he or she has to meet.
Be patient with you dog
Any training takes time! You won’t teach your dog not to bark at other dogs overnight. Likewise, it’s unrealistic to expect your dog never to bark, it’s how they talk! Aim to reduce unwanted barking, not eliminate it.
Stay positive
Consistent positive reinforcement is key, so lots of praise and some treats! While sometimes easier said than done, try to stay calm yourself too. If you get worked up, your dog will get more worked up too.
Take home message
Dogs bark to communicate, it’s a natural and necessary behaviour. However, sometimes barking can be excessive or misdirected, in which case we need to teach our dogs a better way of expressing themselves. While these suggestions can work in ‘mild’ cases, if your dog is showing problematic barking then it’s definitely worth discussing referral to a clinical or veterinary behaviourist with your vet sooner rather than later. The longer the problem goes on, the worse it is likely to get.
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