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REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY
Dr. Paola Cuevas
Veterinarian, MVZ
This information is current and kept up-to-date in line with the latest research in veterinary medicine.
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Dogs are social creatures and use barking as a way to communicate. When your dog barks at other dogs, there can be various reasons behind it. Barking might serve as a warning, a greeting to friends, or an expression of excitement, anxiety, aggression, or territorial behavior.
However, excessive barking at other dogs can become problematic and may escalate to aggressive actions like lunging and attacking. If your dog displays such behavior, it’s crucial to address it before it turns into a serious issue.
Thankfully, you can train your dog to refrain from barking at other dogs. It primarily involves teaching them alternative behaviors, leveraging their natural inclination to follow your lead as their pack leader. Your role is to ensure that you communicate the right messages effectively.
Why Does My Dog Bark at Other Dogs?
The first step in curbing your dog’s barking at other dogs is to grasp the potential motives behind this behavior. Your dog might not have been adequately socialized around other dogs. If you adopted your dog from a shelter, they could have a history of abuse that impacts their current behavior. For instance, if they were attacked by a larger dog during their time as a stray puppy, they might be responding to those past memories.
Your dog could be barking at other dogs to defend their territory, out of feeling threatened by their approach outside, or simply out of a desire to play. Regardless of the reason, uncontrollable barking can lead to embarrassment and more severe issues.
Therefore, it’s in your dog’s best interest to teach them to stop barking at other dogs. You might even reach a point where they enjoy the company of other dogs and engage in play with them.
How Can I Train My Dog Not to Bark at Other Dogs?
If you’ve trained your dog in basic commands like sit, stay, and heel, you’re aware of some fundamental rules to follow.
- Be consistent: Ensure your commands are clear and consistent. It’s essential that your family members and friends convey the same message to the dog to avoid confusion.
- Stay calm: Dogs are perceptive and can detect any feelings of unease or discomfort you exhibit. If you appear tense when encountering another dog, your dog might interpret that as a sign to defend you, intensifying the undesired behavior. Remaining calm and composed will convey control to your dog, prompting them to follow your lead.
- Be firm: Dogs are adept at using their adorable eyes to get what they want. If your dog misbehaves, resist the temptation to give in to their pleas for a treat. Rewards should only follow good behavior.
- Be patient: Dogs can learn new behaviors, but it takes time and patience. Avoid losing your temper, yelling at your dog, or resorting to physical reprimands. Such reactions will only confuse your dog and fail to alter their behavior.
- Carry treats: Dogs are motivated by treats. Have treats handy to reward your dog for good behavior. To prevent overfeeding, break treats into smaller portions and dispense them gradually.
Once you’re prepared, commence the training process.
Step-By-Step Guide
Your aim is to eliminate or reduce the triggers that prompt your dog to bark upon encountering another dog. Here are key steps to prevent your dog from barking at other dogs.
1. Avoidance
Identify the stimuli that trigger your dog’s barking and attempt to eliminate them from their surroundings.
During walks, maintain a distance from other dogs. This will aid in identifying your dog’s comfort zone and the proximity to another dog that triggers their barking. Cross the street to avoid close interactions but remain calm. Your emotions can influence your dog’s reactions.
However, continuous avoidance is impractical, and blocking views out of windows might not be feasible. Transition to the next step, which involves teaching your dog alternative behaviors.
2. Distraction
You can disrupt your dog’s barking pattern by diverting their attention when another dog approaches. Dogs are easily distracted, and treats can effectively hold their focus. When you spot another dog in the distance during a walk, redirect your dog’s attention towards you.
Determine the distance at which your dog typically starts barking at another dog, usually around 20 to 30 feet. When you see a dog at that distance, halt and divert your dog’s attention by issuing a familiar command like heel or introducing a new one like quiet or turn.
Reward your dog with small treat pieces as long as they refrain from barking. Eventually, your dog will anticipate the command and the treat rather than focusing on the other dog.
Gradually decrease the proximity to other dogs, repeating the commands and rewarding your dog for compliance. Over time, your dog will prioritize your commands and the treats over focusing on other dogs.
3. Positive Reinforcement
Dogs respond better to treats and positive reinforcement such as praise and affection compared to punishment and scolding. When your dog refrains from barking in the presence of another dog and receives a treat, they associate this behavior with pleasant outcomes. As your dog becomes accustomed to not barking around other dogs, begin substituting treats with verbal praise and physical affection.
You can incrementally narrow the gap between dogs to proceed to the next stage, teaching your dog to socialize with other dogs.
4. Socialization
You can explore this step at a park or with a friend’s dog, ensuring that all dogs are leashed for safety. Gradually reduce the distance between your dog and other dogs, pausing when your dog starts barking or growling. Implement Steps 2 and 3 by instructing your dog to remain silent and rewarding compliance with treats. Progressively lessen the gap between dogs until your dog can remain calm while near other animals.
5. Celebration!
At this stage, your dog is ready to interact with canine companions cordially. Organize a playdate with a well-mannered dog and relish witnessing both dogs enjoy a great time together.
Some Useful Tips and Concluding Thoughts
Clear communication and positive reinforcement are pivotal for effectively training your dog. We discourage coercive techniques such as shock collars and chemical sprays since they are not very effective and can stress your dog. Similarly, resorting to vocal surgery to curb barking is an extreme measure that interferes with your dog’s natural means of expression.
Remember, excessive barking could sometimes signal boredom. Dogs require mental stimulation and physical activity to maintain their happiness and overall well-being.
If your training efforts yield limited results, consider enrolling your dog in obedience classes led by a professional trainer. This will facilitate socialization with other dogs and equip you with valuable insights.
Featured Image Credit: alexei_tm, Shutterstock
