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What should be done if a dog barks crazily when seeing other dogs ?

On the paths in the park and beside the green belts in the community, such scenes often occur: when two dogs meet face to face, one of them suddenly starts barking furiously as if an alarm has been triggered. The sharp barking pierces through the air, mak

 

On the paths in the park and beside the green belts in the community, such scenes often occur: when two dogs meet face to face, one of them suddenly starts barking furiously as if an alarm has been triggered. The sharp barking pierces through the air, making people around feel a pang of unease. When a dog barks crazily at the sight of other dogs, this behavior not only disrupts public order and causes trouble for others but also may make the dog itself get stuck in a state of tension and excitement, and even trigger fights. As owners, we feel really worried when facing this situation, and it is urgent to explore effective solutions.

The primary reason why dogs bark at their kind is out of instinctive territorial awareness. In their perception, the areas they walk through and their daily activity spaces are like their “territories”. When a strange dog intrudes, it seems as if their territory is being violated, and barking becomes a form of demonstration and warning, trying to drive the other away and defend their “land”. Just like wild animals would roar to claim sovereignty, although domestic dogs have been domesticated, this primitive instinct still runs deep. For example, a small dog plays in the small garden downstairs every day. Over time, it regards this place as its exclusive territory. Once a larger strange dog passes by, it will bark loudly out of a sense of threat, attempting to scare off the intruder with its voice.

Insufficient social experience is also a crucial factor. Some dogs have few opportunities to interact and communicate normally with other dogs during their growth, lacking the ability to interpret the behavioral signals of different dogs. When facing the approach of a strange dog, they don't know how to respond, and feelings of nervousness and restlessness immediately take over. They can only express their panic through barking, as if begging the owner for help: “What should I do? Who is it?” For dogs that have been kept indoors alone for a long time and seldom go out for social activities, barking is almost their first instinctive reaction when they go out and meet other dogs for the first time.

Previous unpleasant encounters can also reinforce this barking behavior. If a dog has been frightened when in contact with other dogs before, such as being bullied by a larger dog, having its toys snatched away, or being accidentally bitten, when it sees a strange dog again later, that painful memory will be awakened, and the fear will turn into aggressive barking, trying to get the upper hand and avoid getting hurt again. A small dog that was chased and bitten by a large dog in the dog park before will start barking every time it goes out later, as long as it catches a glimpse of a dog in the distance. Its body can't stop trembling either, which shows the deep mark left by that trauma.

When facing this behavior of the dog, the first thing the owner should do is to stay calm. Because the owner's emotions can easily affect the dog. If the owner panics, the dog will be even more certain that there is danger and bark even louder. Use a calm and peaceful aura to soothe the dog and make it feel that there is no real threat at the moment.

Start with training and carry out positive guidance. At home, you can use a toy dog to simulate scenarios. When the dog doesn't bark at the sight of the toy dog, immediately give it a reward, such as delicious snacks, gentle petting, or enthusiastic praise, so that the dog understands that staying calm is the right thing to do and gradually establishes a new behavioral reflex. When going out, once you encounter another dog, before the dog starts barking, quickly divert its attention. For example, take out its favorite ball and throw it for the dog to chase, shifting the focus from the strange dog to an interesting game.

Social training is even more important. Make planned arrangements for the dog to come into contact with gentle-tempered dogs that have been vaccinated. Start from observing from a distance and then gradually move closer, step by step. During the contact process, the owner should closely observe the dog's reaction. When it behaves relatively calmly, give timely affirmation and reward to help it accumulate positive experiences of getting along well with other dogs and enhance its social confidence. For example, you can take the dog to small pet gatherings regularly, allowing it to get familiar with the smells, appearances, and behavior patterns of different dogs in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

In addition, the owner also needs to pay attention to the choice of daily walking routes. Try to avoid popular spots where there are many dogs gathering and where conflicts are likely to occur, especially in the initial stage of the dog's behavior correction. Choose relatively quiet time slots and routes with few dogs, reducing the chances of the dog having a stress response due to frequently encountering strange dogs and creating a comfortable and reassuring outdoor environment for it.

The problem of a dog barking crazily when seeing other dogs is not an incurable ailment. As long as the owner has patience, love, and a sense of responsibility, deeply understands the underlying causes, and takes comprehensive measures from emotional soothing, training guidance to environmental optimization, it is possible to help the dog overcome this problem and let it learn to face its kind with a calm and friendly attitude. By then, every time you take the dog out for a walk, it will turn into a pleasant social trip instead of a tense confrontation moment, and the community will be filled with more warmth and joy due to the harmonious coexistence of the dogs. Next time when you walk the dog, when the dog walks quietly past another dog, don't forget to give it an approving smile, which is the most beautiful witness of its growth and transformation.

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