Reasons and causes for barking

• Lack of socialization in puppy age
• Overzealousness, compulsion to participate, high excess of energy
• Aggression due to possibly wrong dog training
• Excitement and relaxation problems
• Sexual frustration or boredom
• Fear or insecurity
• Strong dominance behavior
• Protective instinct
• Strong herding instinct, territorial behavior
• Defense of resources (food, treats, toys)
• Negative memories
• Pain
• Great joy

Barking to increase distance

Most dogs that bark at other dogs want to create a distance increase. This happens because of the restriction on the leash, which does not allow the four-legged friends to avoid some encounters. In such cases, they often have no choice but to bark.

Territorial aggression

Some dogs bark due to territorial aggression. They want to defend their territory and resources (food, toys, treats) and drive away unwanted intruders. This can manifest itself in barking, growling, and tearing at the leash.

How do I know why my dog is barking?

To find out why your dog is barking at other dogs, it's important to observe the behavior closely. Characteristics such as barking, growling and tearing at the leash indicate territorial aggression, while fearfulness or insecurity may be indicated by body language signals such as trembling, ducking or hiding the tail. An experienced dog trainer can help you identify the behavior and find a solution to your dog's barking.

How can you stop the barking?

If you are a dog owner who wants to stop your four-legged friend's unwanted barking, there are some tips and tricks you can try:

• Socialization: good socialization in puppyhood is the be-all and end-all. Here the dogs learn that it is completely normal to come into contact with other dogs.
• Training: Special training where your dog learns to be calm and relaxed around other dogs can be very helpful. You can also seek professional help for this.
• Behavior modification: Try to modify your dog's behavior by giving him positive reinforcements when he meets other dogs without barking.
• Distraction: try to distract your dog with distractions before he jumps or barks at other dogs.
• Avoidance: Practice specific avoidance training so your dog learns to avoid other dogs.
• Medication: In severe cases, medication may be necessary. However, you should always consult a veterinarian about this.

In summary, barking at other dogs is a common and normal part of communication among four-legged friends. However, as a dog owner, you can reduce or eliminate unwanted barking through socialization, training and behavior modification.