A puzzling issue that many dog owners face is when they go out for a walk, their dog may bark at certain other dogs. Where this behavior gets puzzling is the dog may not react at all to other dogs. If you’ve been wondering what causes this behavior, you will have all your answers by the time you finish reading this post.
The simple answer to the question is that dogs don’t automatically like all other dogs. Just as there are almost certainly people who you don’t particularly care for, the same is true with dogs. As any dog owner knows, these animals have very unique personalities. That’s why there is an entire spectrum of how a dog may react to others.
On one end of the spectrum is dogs who always have an aggressive reaction to others. Then on the other end of the spectrum are dogs who are friendly to every single dog they encounter. Those two ends of the spectrum are the minority of dogs. Where most dogs fall is somewhere in the middle. This means they’ll have a positive reaction to some dogs and what an owner may view as a less than ideal one to others.
What Goes Into a Dog’s Like or Dislike of Others?
The way that a dog flip flops between friendly and somewhat aggressive reactions to other dogs may seem completely random. However, dogs actually have a way of communicating with each other and it influences how they feel about others. The reason owners don’t pick up on this communication between dogs is humans can’t see it.
When a dog determines their initial impression of another, it’s generally based on the dog’s body language and how the dog smells. The combination of these two things can be enough for a dog to decide whether they like or dislike another dog. Keep in mind that dogs can pick up another dog’s scent from a distance. That’s why your dog may get excited or start barking before you even notice that another dog is in the area.
In addition to using a combination of body language and scent to judge another dog, your pet may also react based on past experiences. For example, if your dog got into a tussle with a large brown dog, it may immediately get on edge when it encounters another dog with the same physical characteristics. There are also situations where your dog barks at another because your dog is being possessive of you.
Even though it may not always seem ideal to have a dog that sometimes barks at others, this behavior is completely normal and isn’t something you need to worry about. – Pet Wants
FAQs
If the behaviour isn't linked to a physical cause, next it's time to consider other reasons for the behaviour that concerns you. Many dogs are anxious about interactions with others as they didn't get appropriate social experiences. For instance, perhaps they have encountered a dog who frightened or attacked them.
Why is my dog aggressive towards some dogs but not others? ›
"One consideration is that your dog could be experiencing pain—have your veterinarian do a thorough examination." A second possibility is that the dogs that trigger your dog to respond aggressively have a different communication style. All breeds do not speak the same language; some use more signals than others.
Why does my dog lunge at some dogs but not others? ›
It might seem counter intuitive for your dog to go towards something they're afraid of, but they're trying to protect themselves. Using the “I'll get it before it gets me” strategy, dogs lunge to try to make whatever they're afraid of, whether it's another dog, person, or object, go away.
Why does my dog dislike certain dogs? ›
Your dog may perceive a threat to their status or safety, or they may even be protecting you against an apparent threat. In most cases dog aggression is a result of inadequate socialisation or a traumatic incident that has occurred in their past.
Why does my dog growl at some dogs and not others? ›
Non-playful growling can be either offensive or defensive and arises based on how a dog perceives a situation. This could involve a memory from a prior experience; the feeling of being sore or unwell; a response to the signals being given by the other dog; or a lack of response to their initial non-vocal cues.
What dog breeds don't like other dogs? ›
Ten dog breeds often labeled as aggressive include the following (listed in no particular order).
- Akita. ...
- American Staffordshire Terrier/American Pit Bull Terrier. ...
- Cane Corso. ...
- Chihuahua. ...
- Chow Chow. ...
- Doberman Pinscher. ...
- German Shepherd. ...
- Perro de Presa Canario / Canary Mastiff.
A dog will see something in another dog's body language or pick up olfactory clues that signal something the first dog either likes or doesn't like. And, Dr. Crowell-Davis notes, those subtle body cues and smells can be sensed from a significant distance away.
What is rage syndrome in dogs toward other dogs? ›
Rage Syndrome in dogs, also called Spaniel Rage or co*cker Rage, is when dogs become aggressive for no reason. Its causes include genetics, neurological abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, and medical and environmental factors.
Which dog breed is aggressive? ›
Rottweilers
These robust working dogs descend from Roman mastiffs, meaning they can inflict a powerful bite. Though originally bred to herd cattle and other livestock, today, Rottweilers are often used as guard dogs and for search and rescue. They're known to be protective, which can result in aggressive behavior.
How to correct dog barking at other dogs? ›
Overview
- Understand your dog's reasons for barking.
- Know your dog's triggers.
- Give treats and praise for calm behavior.
- Exercise your dog before their walk.
- Use distractions.
- Desensitize your dog to others.
- Walk less crowded routes.
- Use proper gear.
How To Stop a Dog From Barking
- Management. Managing the environment is the first step. ...
- Use Positive Reinforcement. Training is another way to stop some forms of excessive dog barking. ...
- Teach a 'Quiet' (Calm) Verbal Cue. Begin using a calm verbal cue such as “quiet” to let your dog know that it is time to stop barking.
Five top tips to get your dog to stop barking
- Don't tell your dog off. Although their barking may be frustrating, never tell your dog off. ...
- Avoid things that your dog finds scary. ...
- Teach your dog calmer ways of telling you what they want. ...
- Make sure your pooch is staying active. ...
- Don't reward your dog for barking.
Causes can be genetic, but they are more likely due to a lack of socialization, prior bad experiences or a lack of training.
How to train aggression out of a dog? ›
Do not punish your dog: Punishing your dog for aggressive behaviour can actually make them worse. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement and reward good behaviour. Be patient: Socializing an aggressive dog can take time, and progress may be slow. Be patient and celebrate small victories along the way.
How to stop a dog from being aggressive towards other dogs? ›
Some form of behavior modification (#1-4) is very important to success. Spaying and neutering of intact dogs may also help. Exercise can have a calming effect, so taking the dogs for walks or runs may be recommended. Punishment should be avoided as it may either escalate the aggression or redirect it toward the owner.
What does it mean when a dog barks aggressively? ›
“Typically, if a dog is barking in an aggressive context, it's actually fear-based,” Spaulding says. “People are often confused by that because if dogs lunge and bark at the same time, that must mean they're aggressive. But often, it seems to just be a display to keep them away from something they find scary.”
How to stop a dog from barking and lunging at other dogs? ›
Ben's top five tips for stopping a dog lunging at other dogs:
- Use meal times to build patience and trust. ...
- Make use of your other dog to help with training. ...
- Keep your dog safe by teaching the vital 'leave' command. ...
- Re-establish your heel work, both on and off the lead. ...
- Teach your dog a new game to play on his walks.
Certain breeds of dogs tend not to bark much, if at all. For example, Basenjis and Beagles make a sound that is more like a humming noise than a bark. Each dog has his or her own personality. Some dogs may not like the sound they make when barking or he may prefer to whine or make whimpering sounds.
How do dogs decide which dogs they like? ›
A dog will see something in another dog's body language or pick up olfactory clues that signal something the first dog either likes or doesn't like. And, Dr. Crowell-Davis notes, those subtle body cues and smells can be sensed from a significant distance away.
