Reply to Why do people think it's okay to let their dog shout at people who walk by?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous] I see you have it all backwards.

Normal behavior = not stressful. Barking at people walking by or the mailman is normal dog behavior. Some do it more or more aggressively than others but for a dog that is what they are made to do.

NOT barking = stressful. If a dog really has a drive to bark but knows their Alpha will be displeased with them if they do, this is stressful for them.

It is funny my dog barks at the mailman when he puts Mail through the slot. If we see him out on our walk he is a love bug to him. Has zero to do with the mailman and 100% to do with his instinct. [/quote]

A low-pitched, rapid, aggressive bark is defensive. Defensive behavior only exists in the presence of a perceived "threat." Perceiving threats on a daily basis I would argue is stressful.

Not barking is stressful the way you described, which is one of many ways that a dog could not bark. There are dozens of other not stressful ways a dog can stop barking. A dog whose owner gives clear and consistent boundaries (which I guess you would call an true Alpha, though that is extremely outdated terminology) actually relaxes and feels no stress at people passing by. They know they do not have to defend the house, their owner will do it.

The nutty barking dogs are the dogs without "alpha" owners, who feel like they have to take control of the situation because they are dogs and not sure what is happening and their owners are inconsistent and unclear.

If you're dog is not barking at the mail slot in an aggressive/defensive way, then maybe he is just excited to see the mail! That's different than aggressively barking at the door or fence.[/quote]

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