How to keep your dog from barking at others during walks

Some dogs are especially reactive when encountering others, a situation that prevents both us and the dog from enjoying the benefits of a good walk.

What does it mean to have a reactive dog?

It does not mean at all that your dog is aggressive; these are dogs that react excessively to certain stimuli that usually combine movement and noise. The reaction of these types of dogs tells us nothing other than fear. Normally, the reactive dog is trying to make something that has frightened it disappear in order to defend itself against it. Generally, most dogs try to escape in the face of fear, but if this solution does not work, they resort to barking and appearing to "launch" themselves at the stimulus.

According to positive dog trainer Ingrid Ramón, there can be many reasons for this behavior: "from poor socialization with other dogs or the environment, a new and stressful stimulus for the dog, certain breeds with a chasing instinct, or having lived through a traumatic incident with that stimulus…"

Where is the solution?

As always, it lies with us. We must help the dog manage these situations through positive associations, and the sooner the better, as over time, this reactivity could indeed transform into aggression.

Start with what we SHOULD NOT do:

1. Yelling, punishing, or scolding the animal. If you use an aggressive response, the dog will associate that stimulus even more with something negative.

2. Pulling on the leash. Poor handling of the leash will only provoke more feelings of helplessness in the animal.

The secret formula is to associate the stimulus with something positive, such as food. Give that treat exactly at the moment when the dog is in front of its stimulus. Many people try to distract the dog with treats beforehand, but that will not change the dog's perception of what scares it; all we will achieve is to distract it.

If we do not arrive in time before the dog gets tense or does not react to our attempt at association, the best thing we can do is leave. Dogs are creatures of habit; if we leave it barking and pulling, it will get used to doing it even more.

Over time and with consistency, we can begin to decrease the distances and achieve that the dog feels more and more comfortable in front of the stimulus that terrified it until it ends up playing with it.

The most important thing is the consistency and prudence with which we carry out this practice; if the dog does not reach certain goals that we set for it, we should not force it. Just getting it to stop barking and being tense during walks will already be a significant achievement.