Fearful Alarm BarkingFearful alarm barking is usually demonstrated by under-socialized or genetically shy dogs. These dogs are typically barking at things they are fearful of or objects they have not seen before (i.e., a bag blowing in the wind). The dog’s body posture is generally backward or low and he may lean on or even hide behind his owner. The dog’s ears and tail are generally down and his tail may even be tucked between his legs. Hackles may or may not be up with the mouth tight and sometimes drawn back to expose all of the dog’s teeth. Pupils may be dilated and the eyes may dart in all directions. It is important to remember that when fearful dogs bark, the problem is not the barking, it is the symptom. The problem is that the dog is fearful. Until the fearful behavior is treated using techniques such as counterconditioning, the owner will need to be extremely careful when addressing the barking.Owners should NOT reprimand your dogs in any way. If your dog fits in to this category and he was to be reprimanded, it would cause the dog to develop an even more negative association to the stimulus he is fearful of. Whether the dog is fearful of dogs or people, the owners are going to have to work far enough away from what the dog fears that he can concentrate on them. If the dog is so distracted that he is only focusing on keeping tabs on where the object of his fear is, then it is impossible for him to learn anything.
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