Have you ever taken your dog on a long walk in a place that is populated with lots of other dogs? Has your dog randomly lashed out by barking at some dogs while not others? Are you confused why your dog barks at some dogs and causally plays with others? While dog behaviorists still do not know everything about dog language and communication, there are proven trigger points that cause dogs to bark. In this article, we are going to answer the key question of why do dogs bark at some dogs and not others.

Why Do Dogs Bark at Some Dogs and Not Others? 

Dogs bark at some dogs and not others for three main reasons: Fear, Attention, and Excitement.

Fear: The most common reason that dogs bark at some dogs is because they are scared or feel threatened. Similar to how a cat arches its back when it is scared, a dog barks in an attempt to scare off the other dog. A dog will obviously not bark at another dog if it does not feel threatened by it.

Attention: Another reason dogs bark at some dogs is because they want to get attention. They could want to get the attention of the other dog, or they may be barking to get your attention. This is common for watch dogs, who typically bark at just about any dog that walks past your property.

Excitement: While it might not always seem like it, sometimes dogs will bark at other dogs because they are excited to see them. This is often the case when two dogs have already met. When they meet again, they get very excited and start barking and jumping around. 

How to stop a dog from barking at other dogs?

There are a couple of easy steps you can take to stop your dog from barking at other dogs.

1) Don’t put your dog in stressful or fearful situations: There is a possibility that your dog gets anxious when it is around a lot of other dogs, so maybe it is best you avoid places with lots of other dogs. 

2) Give your dog a lot of attention when you are at home: If you give your dog a lot of attention at home, he/she will be a lot less likely to create a scene and bark at other dogs to get your attention when you are walking around. 

3) Try a different leash: Sometimes certain leashes causes unnecessary tightness around your dog’s neck. This can cause him/her to be very anxious. You should explore other options for dog leashes which could help stop your dog from barking at other dogs.