Why Dogs Bark at Some Strangers And Not Others, and 5 Other Dog Behaviors Explained
143,507
Published 2022-04-15
Why do dogs bark at some strangers and not others? Why do they dig their bed or floor? And why do they bark at some dogs and not others?
Stay tuned to find out…
Why do dogs get so excited to see their owners?
When canine behavioral researchers studied brain scans of dogs exposed to certain smells, they found that the scent of a familiar person triggered the reward centers of a dog’s brain in a way that no other scent accomplished.
This suggests that not only dogs can discern their familiar humans, but that dogs genuinely love spending time with their owners. Scientists believe that dogs experience something akin to pleasure when they smell their owners.
Keep in mind that dogs are very social animals that don't like to be left alone. This is why dogs are overexcited when you come home. After all - they’ve been waiting for you all day.
Why dogs dig their bed or floor
Dogs may dig their bed for several reasons. A dog’s wild ancestors scratched at piles of leaves, dirt and pine needles to create a comfortable mound of bedding to rest.
Many domesticated dogs still retain this behavior; By scratching or digging at the floor or their bed, they are trying to create a snug nest to sleep in.
Bed-scratching is also a territorial behavior. Dogs have glands in their paws that leave a distinctive scent on bedding. Your dog scratches to claim a space as his. Interestingly enough, bed-scratching is also part of canine maternal instinct. If your female dog is getting ready to have her puppies, her bed-scratching behavior will suddenly increase. She’s making a nest for the arrival of her new pups.
Why dogs bark at some strangers and not others
There are several reasons as to why your dog barks at some people and not others.
More often than not, dogs react to certain people negatively because they are experiencing something new.
Every exposure to strangers can seem threatening for a dog.
Dogs are more likely to bark at the people who have more unfamiliar traits and features, like baggy clothes, particular body language, or wear accessories like hat, which can make the dog feel nervous.
Negative association is another reason that dogs bark at certain people.
Some people can appear frightening to certain dogs because they connect a person’s looks or smell with bad memories like abuse in the past.
Interestingly enough, dogs may also bark at people because they see people’s true nature. Studies have shown that dogs can detect if a person is untrustworthy.
To prevent your dog from barking at strangers, make sure to properly socialize them.
Another way to prevent your dog from barking at people is to redirect their attention using a command like “Watch me” when someone new is around.
What are dogs saying when they bark?
Recent research has found that dogs have fairly plastic vocal cords that allow them slightly alter the sound of their barks to convey different messages.
For example, researchers recorded a dog growling at a stranger and growling over food. When they played back the “food growl” while offering another dog some juicy bone, dogs were much more hesitant to accept the treat than when they heard the stranger growl.
Why dogs bark at some dogs and not others
There are several reasons as to why your dog barks at some dogs and not others.
More often than not, your dog reacts to certain dogs negatively because it considers the other dogs as being threatening. It often happens when the other dogs are showing threatening body language. You may not notice their body language, but scent clues and subtle body signs such as freezing of the body, a hard stare, tense mouth, or wrinkled nose may be off-putting to your dog.
Another reason that a dog may take an immediate dislike to another is that dog’s historical experience. If, for example, your pooch was attacked by a white male dog in the past, they may exhibit intense fear and aggression toward white male dogs.
Keep in mind that dogs are territorial creatures. They often bark at other dogs to tell them that this is their territory. It’s their way of saying, “I live here and I’m protecting my home and family.”
Dogs mark their territory by urinating on vertical objects. Your dog may have been having a peeing war with other dogs in the neighborhood, and when your dog smells that other dog that covered his lamppost pee last week, he may have a few harsh words for him.
All Comments (21)
-
I. Love. Dogs. If I weren't so old and broke, I'd love to have a dog in my life. Besides not being able to afford one, I would fear that I would pass away and leave my best buddy behind for who knows what kind of life at that point. I get to see my brother's Siberian Huskies (I raised as pups being he was a truckdriver) every so often. You're right, they go nuts for a while when I get there. Two of the sweetest dogs you ever met. I socialized them at several dog parks and they are the coolest dogs ever. I miss them.
-
That just made my day that was awesome best video I've ever seen thanks for putting it together 😊
-
This was the best of everything I’ve ever seen, when it comes to info about dogs. All in one video! Great work! Gotta subscribe!
-
Quality information.
-
When both of my parents were both alive their little dog barked at them on they are inside. When I came inside their house their little dog didn’t barked at me. He lives with my sister and my brother-in-law. He is very sweet and friendly little dog.
-
Very helpful thanks 🙏
-
One of our dogs absolutely hates my brother. He is a narcissistic pos. Every time he comes home, Rex barks at him relentlessly. Dogs seem to know who the bad people are😅
-
I love love love animals love love they are my best friend
-
Ok that makes a lot of sense why a couple dogs in my neighborhood bark at me. I'm the only black guy in a small Japanese town so I'm the most different thing they've ever seen lol
-
That's right!!!!!❤😮
-
My dog doesn't bark at strangers except if they are carrying a plastic bag... No idea why but every time without fail plastic bag = woof woof...
-
It’s called sixth sense or intuition.
-
I'm terrified of dogs and I'm a huge cat person. When I pass dogs on the street, they just stare at me. I can't read their body language. I'm not sure if they see my fear. They look like they want to bark or just come near me. I'm not sure if they want to attack or are just curious.
-
There is a street dog that I like so much but another dog came one day and now I like him too so when I pet the new dog the other one barks at him and they both always bark at each other , I don’t know what to do now
-
I think before I got my chiyorkie she was abused. Most of the times when she sees a man or I hold something up she barks or flinches. I've had her for 9 years & she still does it. Is there anything I can do?
-
4:36 dog distrusts Mormon missionary
-
When the new baby came to the house my dog destroyed two of her beds.
-
Every time dogs pee on a pole, they are actually playing their own version of a Splatoon game mode.
-
My Dad used to tell me if your dog doesn't like them you shouldn't either
-
My dog loves everybody and only barks at other dogs. She hasn't had much exposure to other dogs.
