Barking is a completely normal part of dog communication but there’s a difference between barking and excessive barking. You don’t want walks to become a nightmare because your furry friend launches into frenzied barking every time they catch sight of another dog.
We’ll show you how to stop your dog barking at other dogs, how one of the key things is understanding exactly why they’re being so vocal and what to do about other ‘problem’ barking.
How to stop dogs barking at other dogs: Eight top tips
Do you say ‘walkies’ to your dog with trepidation because you know they’ll bark at every other dog they see? Here are eight tips that will help.
Take a different route
Before we get into all the ways you can tackle excessive barking on walks, it’s worth reminding ourselves that in the short term, it’s fine to just opt for quieter routes or times of day when you’ll see fewer other dogs. This isn’t a long-term solution, of course (read on for those) but it could stop you going, err, barking mad in the meantime.
Get in tune with your dog
One of the most important things you can do is to understand why your dog is barking and think about how they are feeling. A dog who barks at other dogs on walks, for example, could be excited or could be fearful. To determine which applies to your furry friend, observe their body language. A frightened dog might tremble, cower, or yawn, for example, whereas an excited dog is more likely to seem jumpy and exuberant.
Keep things moving
If your dog regularly barks at other dogs on walks, you may find it easier to keep them on a lead when you go for a walk and keep things moving so that interactions with other dogs aren’t prolonged.
Distraction and enrichment
It’s a good idea to have some tricks up your sleeve to distract your four-legged friend before they start barking at another dog. You could take this literally and teach your dog some tricks. Alternatively, you could distract them by giving them their favourite toy or playing a game with them. Looking for inspiration for the latter? Check out our guide to Playing with your dog and puppy.
Dish out some treats
Treats can be used to discourage barking, but timing is crucial. Never dish them out after your dog has already barked at another dog, as this could reinforce the behaviour. The idea is to treat them when they remain calm and quiet (perhaps as you see another dog approach), with the aim to encourage a calm response going forward. There are plenty of treats you can use for this. With the help of nutritionists and vets, PEDIGREE™ has created a varied range of tasty dog treats that come in all shapes, sizes and textures, including Tasty Minis, Chewy Chunx and Ranchos.
Keep the focus on you
It’s helpful to teach your dog to pay close attention to you. Teach them a cue such as “watch me” or “look” and reward them with calm praise and a treat when they do. This can help when you want to stop your dog barking at other dogs, and it’s also enormously useful for all kinds of obedience training.
Teach your dog to bark on cue
Now we admit this may seem counterintuitive but training your dog to speak (and when not to!) can be very useful if you have a ‘barky’ dog.
Take your dog to classes
If you’ve tried all the tips above and you’re still finding your furry friend is very vocal whenever they come across another dog, it could be time to think about seeking expert help. A good dog training class can make a world of difference.
Reasons why dogs bark
When you’re thinking about how to stop your dogs barking at other dogs or any other ‘problem’ barking, one of the best things you can do is understand the reasons why they’re barking. Looking out for other body language signals that could indicate they may be feeling excited, frightened or aggressive can help with this.
Excitement
Whether it’s barking at other dogs on walks or barking when you get home from work, sometimes our furry friends just bark because they’re excited. The trick here is to wait until your dog is calm and quiet and then reward them with calm praise and maybe a treat.
Boredom
Some dogs get noisy just because they’re bored. If you think this is the case, then try to up the amount of physical and mental stimulation they are getting. In terms of the first, walks are obviously crucial but so are active games. Mental stimulation can also come through play as it can training and things such as puzzle feeders.
Attention
Dogs sometimes bark when they want attention, and many owners inadvertently encourage this behaviour. You might look at your dog, for example, which means giving them the eye contact they find so rewarding. Instead, try to ignore your dog completely until they are quiet and calm. Be aware, they are likely to double down on their efforts to bark at first! They will get the message though and it’s at this point that you give them a reward and lots of calm praise.
They don’t like being left alone
Dogs are social animals who like to live as part of a group, so if they are left alone, they may bark… and bark and bark. The obvious answer here is to try not to leave your dog alone for long periods of time, but of course we can’t (and shouldn’t need to) be around our pooches 24/7. Try gradually building up the time you’re away from your dog, starting by just taking yourself off to another room. When you go back to your dog and they have waited quietly and patiently, offer them a reward. The aim here is to show your dog two things: one, you always come back; and two: it’s good not to bark the house down when you’re gone.
Fear
Do you think your dog is frightened when they come across other dogs on walks? Try offering them a treat when they see another dog before they start barking. Timing is key here because you have to catch a moment when your dog is being quiet and calm and reward them for this. If you miss this moment and your dog does start barking, just calmly remove them from the situation (without giving them a treat). Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of moving a little further away, and this opportunity to view other dogs from a distance can be especially helpful if your furry friend is fearful. Keep introducing your dog to other dogs over time (this is an important part of their socialisation) but monitor their signals to make sure they aren’t stressed. Just like humans, every dog is a unique individual, and some will be more comfortable than others with sharing their space.
Because they’re dogs!
It’s worth reminding ourselves that, whatever other reasons your furry friend has for barking, it’s also a completely normal part of dog communication. So it’s not about trying to stop your dog barking altogether, more a case of teaching them what is and isn’t good petiquette.
When does dog barking become a problem?
For some owners, ‘how to stop my dog barking at other dogs’, becomes something they think about a lot. This is especially true if it’s part of a pattern of aggression.
Why is my dog aggressive to other dogs on walks?
One of the most common reasons a dog is aggressive to other dogs on walks is because they are frightened and being protective of their territory or their owner. It’s best to get help from your vet or a qualified animal behaviourist.
Can you train aggression out of a dog?
Aggression can be trained out of dogs. However, it’s a serious issue so it’s a good idea to get expert help from a qualified animal behaviourist.
So that’s the lowdown on how to stop dog barking at other dogs and how to deal with other types of excessive barking.
If you are thinking about getting a dog and you have young children, you’ll probably be interested to know that some breeds are less prone to barking than others (noisy dog + noisy kids, no thanks!). Check out our guide to the best family dogs.
