how can I stop my dog barking at other dogs

It’s a common challenge for dog owners: you’re walking down the street or in the park, and your dog spots another dog—and starts barking. Whether it’s excitement, anxiety, or something else, it can be stressful for both you and your dog. So, how can you stop your dog barking at other dogs? The good news is that with time, patience, and the right approach, most dogs can be trained to stay calm and quiet around others.

Understand Why Your Dog Is Barking

The first step is understanding why your dog is barking. Not all barking is the same. Some dogs bark out of excitement—they want to greet the other dog and don’t know how to stay calm. Others bark out of fear, frustration, or defensiveness. There are also dogs who simply haven’t learned how to behave around others yet, often due to a lack of early socialisation.

Figuring out your dog’s motivation helps guide your training. An excited dog will need help calming down, while an anxious dog may need reassurance and distance to feel safe.

Avoid Punishment-Based Reactions

It’s tempting to scold or pull your dog away when they bark, but this can make things worse. If your dog is fearful, punishment can increase their stress. If they’re excited, harsh corrections may confuse them. Either way, shouting or reacting strongly can reinforce the idea that other dogs are a “big deal”—which is the opposite of what you want.

Instead, focus on calm, consistent training that rewards the behaviours you do want, like staying quiet, looking at you, or walking past another dog without reacting.

Use Distance to Your Advantage

If your dog barks at other dogs while on the lead, try to create space whenever possible. Barking is often a sign that your dog is too close for comfort. Cross the street, change direction, or use parked cars or trees as visual blocks. Once your dog sees the other dog but doesn’t react, reward them with a treat or praise. This teaches them that staying calm gets good results.

Over time, you can slowly reduce the distance—but only when your dog is consistently relaxed.

Teach an Alternative Behaviour

One effective way to manage barking is by teaching your dog what to do instead. This could be looking at you, walking in a different direction, or performing a trick like “sit” or “touch” when another dog appears. If you practise this at home first, then in quiet areas, your dog will learn to respond calmly when they see other dogs—even in more distracting environments.

Bring high-value treats on walks to reward quiet behaviour, and make sure your dog is focused on you before they get too worked up.

Stay Consistent and Be Patient

Changing behaviour takes time. The more consistent you are, the faster your dog will learn. Try to avoid situations that are too overwhelming, and don’t expect perfect behaviour right away. Celebrate small wins—like your dog noticing another dog but staying quiet—and build from there.

If your dog’s barking is severe or based in fear, consider working with a qualified dog trainer or behaviourist who uses positive reinforcement methods. They can create a tailored plan that works for your specific dog.

Watch Your Dog’s Body Language

One of the best things you can do is learn to read your dog’s early signals. Dogs often show signs of stress or arousal before they bark—like stiffening, staring, ears pinned back, or pulling on the lead. If you can spot these early, you can redirect their focus before barking begins, which is easier than trying to calm them once they’re already reacting.

Start rewarding calm behaviour the moment they notice another dog but haven’t barked yet. That “quiet moment” is golden—catch it and mark it with a treat or a calm “yes.”

Practise Engagement in Low-Stress Areas

Most barking happens because dogs go from zero to 100 too fast. Practising in a quiet environment first helps them build control. Use quiet parks or off-peak times to practise looking at you instead of reacting to distant dogs.

Teach your dog a “look at me” or “watch” cue with rewards. Over time, this can become their automatic response when another dog is nearby. You’re building a habit that replaces barking with focus.

Use the “Engage-Disengage” Game

This is a powerful technique from force-free dog training. When your dog sees another dog at a distance, don’t immediately try to distract them. Instead, let them look, then mark and reward the moment they naturally look away or relax—even just for a second.

The goal is to teach your dog that other dogs aren’t a big deal. They learn to disengage from the trigger on their own, which is more effective than constant redirection.

Consider Barrier Frustration

If your dog only barks when on the lead but is fine off-lead, they may be experiencing barrier frustration. This happens when they want to say hello but can’t reach the other dog, so they bark out of frustration—not aggression.

In this case, the solution isn’t just about stopping barking—it’s about teaching your dog calm greetings and helping them tolerate not always being able to say hello. Short, successful lead walks past calm dogs can help, as can teaching impulse control exercises like “wait” and “leave it.”

Tools Can Help—If Used Right

Head collars or front-clip harnesses can help give you more control if your dog lunges or pulls when barking. These don’t stop barking, but they give you better leverage and reduce tension on the lead. Just be sure to pair any tool with training—gear is helpful, but it’s not a shortcut to behaviour change.

Avoid any tools that cause pain or discomfort (like prong collars or shock collars). These can increase fear and actually make barking worse in the long run.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting too long to intervene – React early, when your dog first notices the other dog
• Punishing barking – It doesn’t teach calm behaviour, and can increase anxiety
• Flooding – Don’t force your dog into crowded places to “get used to it”
• Being inconsistent – If you sometimes let them bark, they’ll keep trying it

Progress Takes Time

Think of it like this: barking at dogs is a behaviour your dog thinks works. Your job is to show them that staying calm is actually more rewarding. The process can take weeks or months depending on your dog’s temperament, past experiences, and how often you can practise—but it does work.

Even a dog that used to bark at every passing dog can learn to walk calmly, glance over, and move on without a sound.

Summary

To stop your dog barking at other dogs, start by understanding the cause—whether it’s excitement, fear, or frustration. Use distance, teach calm behaviours, and reward your dog for staying quiet. Avoid punishment and stay patient, as lasting progress takes time and practice. With the right training, your dog can learn to stay calm and confident around other dogs—and walks will become much more enjoyable for both of you.