You want to be able to take your dog out for a nice walk, to sit out front, or maybe even a run, but every time you do your dog barks at joggers going by! Why does your dog bark at joggers, and what does it mean if they just started doing it all of a sudden? Are there any quick-fix methods out there that can stop this?

Well, the good news is that since this is a very common issue with dogs, there are also proven answers to all of your questions, and most importantly: a solution to how to stop your dog from this obnoxious behavior — all of which we’ll fill you in on today! So without further ado, let’s get to the info you’re after in this article “How to Stop Dog Barking at Joggers!”

Why Does My Dog Bark at Joggers?

Your dog barks at joggers for a few possible reasons. The most likely is that they feel like the person running is getting too close, and they either feel scared or protective, so they start barking at the jogger to keep them away. They could also be barking just out of excitement because they see a new person that they would like to meet.

To know which your dog is doing, look for other clues from their behavior. If your dog is barking at joggers because they’re excited, then they will likely also be doing things like wagging their tail or possibly even doing play bows (if the person gets close). If they focus intently on the person or growl, then your dog is barking due to fear or aggression.

In either case, this is not a behavior that you should ignore. Dogs that are allowed to bark at joggers will feel like it’s okay to bark at anything they please. Soon, you’ll have your dog barking at other dogs without listening to your commands to stop, or they’ll become more aggressive and will be barking and growling at strangers.

Clearly, these are not things you want. You need to start addressing things right away through behavioral training, which we’ll cover in the last section of this article (you can skip there now).

Why is My Dog Barking at Joggers All of a Sudden?

If your dog is barking at joggers all of a sudden, then consider what things have changed lately. Did your dog have a bad experience with a jogger lately, or just at anytime during a recent walk? Have you moved, or are you taking a new route when you take your dog out?

Any of these changes could make your dog feel very anxious, which might prompt them to suddenly bark at joggers when they didn’t before. You need to give your dog confidence to handle their fears and to know that they’re okay with you through behavioral training. We’ll go over that in the last section of this article.

Should I Use a Bark Collar to Get My Dog to Stop Barking at Joggers?

You should not use a bark collar to get your dog to stop barking at joggers because they are cruel. While it might stop your dog barking in the moment, it will not solve your dog’s issue, so you’ll still have problems to address — only now things will be much worse because your dog will no longer trust you, and will actually have learned to fear you.

Hopefully, this is not something you want, so do not use a bark collar to stop your dog barking at joggers (or at any other time). These are never a proper way to achieve results or garner a healthy relationship with your dog. To learn how to properly stop your dog’s barking, continue to the next section where we’ll explain how to do so through humane training methods.

How to Stop Your Dog Barking at Joggers

To stop your dog barking at joggers, you can begin making progress by desensitizing them and using positive rewards. Try taking your dog out to sit in the front yard (or to the backyard if it’s somewhere where runners will go by). When a jogger goes by and your dog begins to bark, quickly give them a “quiet” command calmly but firmly.

Place your hand gently on your dog’s head to get their attention if they’re not listening while continuing to give the command. If they do not listen, take them inside. When they do respond well, give them praise, pets, and a small treat. Be consistent and patient as this will take some time, but they should soon learn that being quiet when a jogger goes by gets them rewarded.

Still, you’ll need to address why they felt the need to bark in the first place. Whether it’s due to fear, aggression, or excitement, they all ultimately stem back to the same thing: not respecting you as their pack leader.

Let’s explain that a bit further.

You’ve probably heard before that dogs are pack animals and that in every pack there is a pack leader. Well, right now your dog is showing that they don’t respect you in this role when they either feel the need to protect you (if they’re barking due to fear/aggression) or when they refuse to listen to your commands (if they’re barking due to excitement).

By showing your dog that not only are you their pack leader — but a capable and effective one worthy of respect — your dog will stop barking at joggers. They’ll also no longer feel the need to get scared, anxious, or aggressive with things they don’t understand, or people and dogs that they don’t know. And most importantly: they’ll happily obey your commands.

Sounds great and like it will be a huge relief, doesn’t it?

“Well, yeah, but how do I do that?”

I’d recommend watching an excellent free video series that’s on just this subject — how to be your dog’s pack leader — by a renowned trainer named Dan which will show you everything you need to know. In it, he explains everything in ways that are very simple to understand and teach to your own dog, and he gets right to the point so that you’ll start seeing results in no time.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And no worries, because you’re not going to have to be mean or even raise your voice. Dan uses only 100% humane and loving training methods at all times. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s the only way to achieve fast, permanent results with your dog.

I’m sure you’re really looking forward to being able to go for walks or sit outside without worrying about how your dog will react, so I’ll let you get started on things. Best wishes, and thank you for reading “How to Stop Dog Barking at Joggers.”