Why Does My Dog Bark at Other Dogs?

You’ve daydreamed about walks with your new pup — peaceful strolls through the neighborhood, with your dog trotting happily at your side. But all that goes out the window the moment your dog spots another pup. Suddenly, there’s barking, and a lot of it. You tighten your grip on the leash, and the embarrassment creeps in. Why is my dog barking at other dogs? 

Barking at other dogs isn’t all that unusual, whether on walks, behind a fence, or through the living room window. Still, it can make walks stressful and life at home anything but peaceful. Some pet parents even worry their dog might hurt themselves in the chaos of pulling and barking. 

To decode this behavior, we asked experts to explain why your dog may incessantly bark at other dogs and what you can do to bring a little more calm into your daily routine.

What is a reactive dog, and is my dog reactive?

“Reactivity” is a catch-all term used for dogs who behave in ways that are, well, not socially acceptable. Dog trainer and behavior consultant Kate LaSala says the term typically applies to any dog who “alerts to stuff,” whether barking, growling, or lunging. 

However, she doesn’t believe in using this as a blanket label, because calling a dog “reactive” doesn’t clarify what’s driving the reaction. In other words, understanding their motivation is the key to resolving the behavior.

Why do dogs bark at other dogs?

People may be quick to label your barking dog as reactive, and they’re even quicker to blame the person holding the leash. But before you take on that guilt, take a breath. 

“We like to believe all of our dogs’ behaviors are a direct result of our own,” says Annie Grossman, certified dog trainer and author of How to Train Your Dog With Love + Science. “For better or worse, that’s not always the case.” That said, you do play a major role. 

Lack of socialization

One of the biggest factors behind why dogs bark at other dogs is early socialization — or a lack thereof. A puppy’s critical developmental window is between three and 14 weeks of age. During this time, positive, consistent exposure to other dogs, people, environments, and sounds can shape how they behave later in life. If those experiences are missing, limited, or negative, barking can become a go-to strategy for dogs. 

Breed 

Some dogs were basically born to bark. According to Qiai Chong, chief behaviourist at Pet Coach, breeds such as Shetland Sheepdogs, Samoyeds, and other working dogs bred to guard livestock or herd animals tend to be more vocal due to their genetics. If you’ve adopted a mixed-breed pup, you might not even realize they’ve got some barky DNA in the mix.

Fear or anxiety

Dogs may bark because they are anxious, scared, or feel threatened. “They are lunging, barking, or growling in an attempt to communicate, ‘Please keep your distance,’” Grossman explains. 

Territorial aggression 

Certain dogs bark at other dogs from inside their homes or behind fences because they’re protecting what’s theirs. Instincts, especially in dogs bred to guard, might trigger territorial barking. Grossman says territorial aggression can come from a place of fear, too. 

“Dogs who bark at other dogs from inside their homes might just not see or hear other dogs very much,” she says. Lack of regular exposure can make any dog seem like a potential threat to them.

Play

Some people want to play with every dog they see, and some dogs feel the same way, too. A dog who's barking because they want to play will usually have loose, wiggly body language. You might see a classic play bow — butt in the air, front legs stretched out — or they might flop down and flatten themselves.

Frustration 

“My dog is friendly, but barks at other dogs.” Sound familiar? What your dog could be expressing is frustration.

“They want to interact but can’t,” Chong explains. “The barrier might be a leash, a fence, or even distance. When their ability to reach another dog is blocked, frustration builds. That often comes out as barking.”

Learned behavior

Sometimes we unintentionally teach our dogs to react. Often, handlers tense up and tighten the leash when another dog comes near, Grossman says. That pressure can be uncomfortable for your dog, and they might even associate other dogs with that pain or tension. In other words, she says, “Other dogs equal a literal pain in the neck.”

Determining the reason for barking

You can’t help your dog if you don’t know why they’re barking. The best way to figure that out is by paying close attention to their body language. 

When in doubt, reach out to your vet or a certified behaviorist who can help you recognize and better decipher their behavior. In the meantime, here are a few signs to look out for.

Fear or anxiety:

• Tense or crouched posture

• Tail tucked between their legs

• Avoiding eye contact

• Ears pinned back

• Hair on the neck or back standing up (piloerection)

• Lip licking

• Yawning 

Territorial aggression:

• Stiff, upright posture

• Intense stare

• Tail held high and rigid

• Growling or lunging

• Signs get worse behind fences, windows, or while inside the home

Play:

• Loose, wiggly body

• Tail wagging in big, sweeping motions

• Perky or relaxed ears

• Play bow (front legs down, rear end up)

• High-pitched and short barks

Frustration:

• Pulling towards the other dog or person

• Whining or barking with a rising pitch

• Stiff body but not aggressive

• Ears forward, eyes focused

• Tail may be wagging, but it’s tight and fast

Tips to get your dog to stop barking at other dogs

You can train a dog to not bark at other dogs, but it will take patience and persistence. Whether you choose one approach or another, the goal is to gradually build emotional control and confidence in your dog.

Counterconditioning and positive reinforcement

Counterconditioning is a powerful tool that helps dogs change their emotional responses to things they perceive as scary, threatening, or overly exciting. “If you can change your dog’s feelings about other dogs, you can ultimately change the behavior,” Grossman says. 

The first step is finding something your dog absolutely loves, which is often a high-value treat. Grossman likes using lickable treats to help redirect attention, relieve stress through licking, and build positive associations. Dogs can’t bark when they’re licking, she adds. Although peanut butter is a reliable go-to, repeated use can cause weight gain. So it’s best to use lower-calorie treats from Rigby Pets, PureBites, Bark Pouch or make your own by blending treats with a little bit of water and putting them in a reusable baby-food pouch.

Once you’ve identified your dog’s trigger (in this case, other dogs) and their favorite reward, it’s time to get to work.

• Ideally, you want to let your dog look at the trigger at a distance where they feel comfortable, marking with a “yes” for looking, and then rewarding them for looking at the dog and not barking.

• If your dog sees the other dog and stays calm (no barking, lunging, or growling), reinforce the behavior with their favorite treat, verbal praise, pets, or even a booty scritch — whatever it is that they find rewarding.

With consistency, your dog won’t feel triggered at the sight of another dog and will even learn that not barking means good things happen.

Practice avoidance cues

Grossman recommends teaching your dog cues such as “U-turn” or “switch sides” to offer more control during walks and avoid potentially sticky situations before they happen. What’s critical here is that you’re reading your dog’s cues to understand what it is that they truly need. “If a pet parent thinks their dog is fearful and prevents dog-dog interactions, but their dog is actually frustrated, they’re depriving their dog and making it worse,” LaSala says. 

Resolve frustration with a greeting

This brings us to a proper dog-to-dog greeting. This is especially helpful for frustrated canine greeters who bark because they just want to say, “Hi.” It’s also useful for pups who get overstimulated quickly, which can lead to barking. 

“A good dog-dog greeting should include a quick butt sniff, a genital sniff, a nose sniff, and that’s it,” Grossman says. “The whole greeting should take no more than three or four seconds.”

Of course, not every dog wants to meet a new dog. Always ask the other dog’s pet parent before allowing a greeting, and watch for signs that the other pup isn’t into it. When in doubt, skip the greeting. 

Never punish or yell at your dog

Research shows that punishment-based training (yelling, leash jerks, or shock collars) makes problem behaviors worse. 

There are several reasons for this. Punishment causes your dog to associate discomfort with you, damaging your relationship. It can also create negative associations with the trigger (another dog), which may increase reactivity. While punishment might briefly suppress unwanted behaviors, it doesn’t teach your dog what to do instead. Ultimately, punishment can lead to more serious issues, like a quick escalation to biting. 

When to seek professional help

If you’re hitting a wall with training and your dog continues barking at other dogs, this might mean it’s time to press pause. Each time your dog barks and the other dog goes away — which is probably every time — it reinforces the barking behavior. 

This is a good time to seek professional help. In the meantime, try reducing exposure to triggers. Some pet parents teach their dogs to relieve themselves in protected areas like a backyard or rooftop space. Others opt for walks early in the morning or late at night, when there are fewer dogs to bark at.

You may also ask your vet if calming supplements or medications are right for your dog. Chong says medications, especially in situations of intense fear or anxiety, can help take the edge off. This gives you and your dog an opportunity to work on their behavior and coping techniques.

Commonly asked questions

Why does my dog go crazy when they see other dogs? What can I do?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your dog might be barking or reacting out of fear, frustration, excitement, or a mix of all three. The key to figuring this out is paying close attention to their body language. Once you have a better idea of what’s driving the behavior, you can work on training techniques such as rewarding calm, non-reactive behavior or teaching your dog how to greet other dogs politely. If you’re feeling frustrated, a certified behavior consultant or behaviorist can help. 

What is the three bark rule?

The three-bark rule is a method of teaching your dog to give no more than three alert barks and then stop, either on cue or on their own. 

How to stop my dog from barking at other male dogs?

Chong says you can stop your dog from barking at other male dogs with counterconditioning training. In more intense cases, veterinarians might prescribe medications such as gabapentin to reduce emotional arousal. This can help your dog become more receptive to the training process.  

How to stop a small dog barking at other dogs

Small dogs can follow the same training strategies to stop barking as larger dogs, including counterconditioning and learning proper greeting etiquette. The main difference is that, with small dogs, you often have the option to pick them up. Grossman advises training them to feel secure being picked up — otherwise it can add to their stress even if they are quiet. 

What should you do if your dog is aggressive towards other dogs?

If your dog is lunging, growling, snapping, or showing other signs of aggression toward other dogs, it’s time to call in a professional. A certified trainer or behaviorist can help you get to the root of the issue and create a plan to keep everyone safe. In the meantime, reduce your dog’s chances of running into other dogs: Walk during quieter times of day, or stick to secured environments like a fenced yard. 

References

“Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare”. (2019). www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/823427v1.full

Herron, M.E., F.S. Shofer, and I.R.J.A.A.B.S. Reisner, Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors. (2009). vmc.vet.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/trainingArticle.pdf