What to do if your dog barks at other dogs

Updated 26/06/2024

Fun furry fact - dogs bark at each other. We know, that might need a bit of time to sink in… There’s a reason we call them bark babies, our huggable hounds sometimes have to vocalize their emotions and can be directed at other dogs. To understand how to stop your dog from barking at other dogs, we’ve sourced a few facts about why your dog might bark in the first place, what to do if they suddenly start to bark at other pooches, and how to train this behavior away.

On your barks, get set, let’s go!

Why do dogs bark at other dogs?

We all know pups can sometimes bark at the most random of things - a new pair of shoes, a poster, their own reflection - but barking is usually triggered by one of four things…

Fear

Fear is perhaps the main cause of dogs barking at other dogs. It’s a reaction to a surge of adrenaline sparked by a new situation, a new dog, and if they’re unsure what to do. Back in the olden time days, we humans purposefully bred many dog breeds because they quickly reacted to barking if a new scent or presence appeared in their territory. It kept those humans safe and protected from strangers or other dangerous animals.

Unfortunately, this inherited trait can also trigger additional aggressive behavior which can be scary to witness and deal with. Even the most friendly of puppers can become aggressive if they’re frightened.

Curiosity

Barking at other dogs isn’t always an aggressive reaction, sometimes it comes from a place of curiosity. Some pooches just want to know more about another dog and whether they could be a potential playmate. Barking can be a form of doggy communication, and your dog is attempting to connect with others in a non-confrontational way.

Overstimulation

By overstimulation, we mean from too much rough play or suddenly overwhelming situations (we’ll talk about doggo breeding stimulation next, don’t you worry). Whilst this could be a mixture of fear and frustration, just as children can become carried away when hyped up or given too much sugar, pups can feel the same emotions. Barking can be a natural release when their emotions become a little too much, we’ve all been there!

Arousal

We’re all mature adults here, pet people, so we all know that this is a natural part of life. A dog’s behavior, specifically those unspayed or neutered, can be strongly dictated by their ‘primal urges’. If it’s mating season even the most well-behaved snuffles can suddenly forget their hours of training and allow their instincts to take over. This is mostly the case with male dogs, but females aren’t completely innocent or compliant when it comes to the birds and the bees.

Does your dog bark at other dogs, and just about anything else?

Well you’re in the right place, fellow pet parent. Our member @stanleysmum was in the same boat - and she put her question to  Rob Kuty - certified master dog trainer, President of San Diego Pet Training and Director of Animal Training at Helen Woodward Animal Center - who was on hand to help over on our community forum.

@stanleysmum asks “Hi Rob! What would you suggest for a dog who LOVES to bark? It’s not just when there’s a knock at the door, it can be when he’s excited too - I don’t mind him being vocal but I’m worried about the neighbours - and tips to redirect his noises into something else? Thanks!”

Rob: “Let me start by saying you never want to take the bark out of a dog and I like how you noted that you don’t mind your dog being vocal. 

With that being said, you can help modify the unwanted barking that pushes the limits. I recommend picking up a cheap, lightweight leash and cutting the loop/handle off. Be sure to keep the length of the leash. 

It is important to note that you would never leave a leash on a dog unattended. Instead of giving your dog attention by either repeating a command, raising your voice, and even chasing after your dog, I recommend using this leash as your guide. 

When the dog hits the threshold of annoyance barking, you would calmly pick up the leash and redirect your dog away from the source of barking. 

A dog will never do something for nothing. In time your dog will realize the obnoxious aspect of barking gets no attention from the owner. The dog also gets no attention from the source.”

For more expert dog training tips from Rob, head over to our blog for more advice.

How to stop your dog from barking at other dogs

Some pups may have a predisposition to barking at other dogs, they’re more naturally timid or fearful, or perhaps they’re a hyper dog who hasn’t learned how to channel their energy levels into other activities. A dog’s behavior can change in their lifetime, either due to a traumatic experience or a medical condition. Either way, there are things you can do to help stop your dog from barking at other dogs.

Remember, if your dog starts to act differently in any capacity, always contact their vet immediately for a full health check to rule out any medical reasons for the behavior changes.

Know what causes your dog to bark at other dogs

For one pooch it may be very obvious what drives them barking mad, but for others, a bit of trial and error might be needed. Never put your pup in a situation to purposefully scare or intimidate them. If there’s a particular point on your walk your dog barks at other dogs, or perhaps they only bark at large dogs, or maybe large groups of dogs are too much. Think about when your pup last had a barking match, what led up to the episode, and whether they displayed any other types of behavior. This can help you to identify the root trigger and develop a plan to overcome the barking issue.

Talk to your vet as they may be able to unravel the bark mystery. Otherwise, they’ll have some safe suggestions on how to work out what sets them off. A veterinary behaviorist is always happy to help create a training program to help your dog overcome their barking issues.

Create an action plan for walks

This is very important if you’re ever worried for your pup’s well-being or you’re concerned they may hurt another dog. Your plan can be as simple as turning around if you see another dog heading your way. Another plan could be to slow down, add in extra space between the dogs, or stop and distract your doggy with treats or a chew toy.

Being unprepared and stressed can make both dogs bark at each other even more. This leads nicely to our next point…

Remain confident and calm around other dogs

As a pet parent, you’re responsible for helping your pet feel calm and confident at all times. They look at you, watch your body language, and listen to your tone of voice to interpret how they should react. A nervous and anxious human will likey make your dog feel anxious of the situation they’re in. If you’re worried about an approaching dog, simply remove yourself and your pup from the situation as quickly and calmly as you can.

Distractions: Treats, toys, and tickles

Paw-sivitive reinforcement is dog training 101. Equip yourself with plenty of treats and toys to take on walks if you’re worried there may be a barking encounter. For pooches who think they’re acting as guard dogs when they aren’t, toys and gentle reassurance through cuddles or stroking can help to distract them from any barking business. Your voice is a powerful tool, always offer positive encouragement for good behavior, such as not barking at a dog that can be seen far in the distance. Over time with repeat training, this gap will gradually get smaller and your dog can learn to be around other dogs safely.

Consider how you want to train this out of your pup

Every dog is different and as pet parents we will always decide on what is best for our pup, especially when it comes to deciding how you want your doggo trained. For some, obedience training by a professional might be the best route, while more seasoned pup parents may feel confident enough to handle the situation themselves.

Whatever you decide to do, retraining is essential to teach your dog to stop barking at other dogs.

Training to prevent your dog from barking at other dogs

What we mean by training to prevent your dog from barking is to enforce rules and behaviors before they go barking ballistic on a fellow hound. Rather than wait for a barked argument to happen, you can add preventative training from when they join your family.

Puppy training

For those who have welcomed a baby barker into their household, training to stop them barking at other dogs, or barking in general, can start from day one. Even if this is your first time training a puppy, make sure to deal with your dog barking at other dogs before it becomes a learned habit or reaction.

Socialization

Sounds simple, right? Socialization is really important for a dog’s well-being. Not only does it make them feel more confident and happy in situations with other dogs and humans, but it causes them less stress than their parents. Shy or older doggos might do best by simply socializing with one dog at first. Once they’ve learned to trust another fur baby, they can learn by example how to interact with other dogs without aggression.

Talk to your vet about spaying or neutering

Your vet will have a professional opinion as to whether or not to spay or neuter your dog, just as you’ll have your own which is fine. However, spaying or neutering will quickly remove extra hormones from the body, and can help dogs to regulate their emotions better. Though male dogs may still bark if they pick up a female scent, they’re less likely to act on their instincts if neutered. 

For some dogs, they will still need additional training as well as being spayed or neutered, but this is an excellent first step in the plan to overcome the barking issue. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.