Why do dogs bark at each other when they meet?

Dogs may bark at every dog/person they see or they may only bark at certain people/dogs – based on something about their appearance or about their behaviour. There are, of course, just the very excited dogs who bark when they’re excited or pleased to see someone. Some dogs can appear very aggressive in their barking but then when they get up to the person or dog they are friendly. This is usually out of frustration at not being able to get to someone they want to greet, and they are often labelled as ‘frustrated greeters’. Some dogs behave aggressively towards other dogs/people out of fear – they may be anxious about what would happen should that individual get too close to them, so they behave aggressively to increase/maintain distance between them and whatever it is that is worrying them. Confident dogs are less likely to bark a lot at people/dogs – that kind of behaviour is usually related to anxiety or frustration, whilst confident dogs tend to be better in control of themselves.

There are several possibilities as to why your dog is barking at other dogs. Possible causes of barking at other dogs include: Frustration. If your dog or puppy wants to play with another dog, they may bark out of frustration if they aren’t able to, for example if they are on the lead. Your dog may bark to greet other dogs, or in excitement at seeing them. Your dog may bark through fear of other dogs, in which case your dog would likely show submissive or fearful body language. Your dog may be trying to assert their presence, perhaps displaying a rigid body, fixed stare and raised fur. Look at when or where the barking happens. Is it all dogs or only certain types? Is it only when they are on the lead? Most importantly, look at their body language. Dogs will also sometimes try to ‘protect’ their owner from a possible threat, such as a dog they don’t trust. This often seems to be the case if a dog has had a nasty experience before with other dogs.

Barking serves several functions, from expressing emotions to signaling needs. It’s a natural behavior that evolved as a means of communication for domestic dogs, who rely on vocalizations more than their wild ancestors. While wolves primarily use body language and howling to communicate, dogs have developed barking as a versatile way to connect with humans and each other. Dogs may use alert barks when they hear a strange noise outside, see a new person approaching, or spot another animal nearby. The goal of the alert bark is to draw attention to what they perceive as a potential threat or situation that requires investigation. Playful barks signal excitement and a desire to engage in fun activities, like playing fetch or running around in the yard. You might notice these barks when your dog wants to entice you or another dog into a game. Dogs that are feeling stressed, anxious, or scared may bark in a way that's high-pitched and prolonged, often sounding frantic. This type of bark is a distress signal indicating discomfort or that a perceived threat is imminent. By paying attention to the specific characteristics of your dog’s bark, as well as the environment they’re currently in, you can gain insights into what they might be feeling or trying to tell 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. Another reason might be that they are highly sociable and enjoy playing with dogs, so if they’re on a lead and spot another dog, this causes over-excitement, resulting in frustration which is expressed as barking. It’s common for dogs to react this way if they’re in pain, it’s their way of warning others to back off to protect themselves from further harm. Allowing your dog to meet as many new encounters will help them communicate with others, and read their body language and learn whether they’re too much to handle.