How to Stop Your Dog Barking at Other Dogs

Is your dog barking or lunging at other dogs on walks? Here's why it happens and how to reduce dog-to-dog reactivity with expert help from Hot Dog Training.

Dogs that bark at other dogs is a problem that's on the rise

All you want is to enjoy a nice, relaxing walk with your dog — just like everyone else. Instead, you're constantly on edge in case another dog appears. Because the mere sight of a dog is enough to turn your chilled-at-home companion into a barking, lunging maniac giving the other dog the full hairdryer treatment.

Sound familiar?

Let’s take a look at what’s actually going on, and how to start changing it.

Why Does Your Dog Bark at Other Dogs?

Reactivity is a term we use when a dog overreacts to certain triggers — such as other dogs — in specific situations (typically on-lead or behind a barrier like a window or fence). In this article, we’re focusing specifically on dog-to-dog reactivity.

Not all barking or lunging means aggression. Often, it’s your dog trying to communicate something much deeper.

1. Fear-Based Reactivity

This is the most common cause we see in our 1-2-1 training sessions.

• Looks like: barking, lunging, growling, or showing teeth

• Why it happens: your dog feels unsafe and is trying to scare the other dog away

• Common misconception: your dog is "protecting you" — when actually, they’re trying to protect themselves

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2. Frustration-Based Reactivity

This happens when your sociable dog wants to greet another dog, but can’t.

• Often seen in: friendly dogs restricted by a lead

• Result: frustration builds up, tipping into a barking tantrum

• Key difference: this dog wants to interact but doesn’t know how to handle being prevented

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3. Mixed Reactivity

Many dogs show a combination of fear and frustration, especially those:

• With bad experiences with other dogs

• Who were punished for playing too roughly

• Who missed out on proper puppy socialisation

• Going through an adolescent second fear period

These dogs often want to make friends, but they’re unsure how. This conflict creates big feelings — and noisy reactions.

What's a reasonable amount of barking? Is My Dog Being Aggressive?

Probably not, at least not in the way people think.

True aggression is:

• Rare

• Silent

• Deliberate, with intent to cause harm

Reactivity, by contrast, is noisy, emotional, and messy. It looks dramatic, but reactive dogs usually don’t want a fight — they just want space. That said, if the barking escalates and both dogs are worked up, it can lead to trouble.

Reactive dogs are often in “fight or flight” mode. Once they’re over threshold, the thinking part of their brain is offline — and that’s when it gets risky.

How do you train a dog not to bark at other dogs?

This is the first thing we diagnose in our training sessions.

Understanding the underlying emotion (fear, frustration, or both) is key to designing the right training plan. From there, our goals are:

• Changing how your dog feels about seeing other dogs

• Helping your dog learn to trust you to handle situations

• Rebuilding calm responses using positive reinforcement

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But behaviour isn’t just about behaviour.

The Bigger Picture: Whole-Dog Wellness

Reactivity doesn't exist in a vacuum. When we work with you, we look at the whole dog:

• Are their exercise and enrichment needs being met?

• Are they getting enough rest?

• What’s their diet like?

• Are they experiencing hidden pain?

• How’s the relationship between you?

• Even... how are their poos?

It all matters.

Is It Possible to Stop Dogs Barking?

We’ll be honest — not every reactive dog becomes a social butterfly.

What we aim for is tolerance: your dog can walk calmly past other dogs without exploding. For many owners, that’s the dream.

There’s no quick fix — and anyone offering one should be avoided. But with the right approach, patience, and consistent work, change is absolutely possible.

How We Can Help

At Hot Dog Training, we work 1-2-1 with owners across Buckinghamshire and also run small group classes for reactive dogs.

• We’ll help you identify what’s driving your dog’s behaviour

• We'll tailor a plan to reduce reactivity and build calmer walks

• And we’ll support you at every stage

👉 Ready to stop the barking and start enjoying walks again? Get in touch today or read more about our dog training services. info@hotdogtraining.co.uk