Dog barks at another dogs yelping
October 8, 2010 8:06 AM Subscribe
When one of my dogs yelps or cries shrilly the other dog starts barking like crazy at her. Why is she doing that?
If I am clipping one of the pooches nails or otherwise annoying her in any fashion, her get-away tactic is to scream (assumingly to distract me) and takes off. It works for her as usually I loosen my grip instinctually out of fear that she's hurt. She's a smart brat.
The second dog goes crazy barking at her when she does this. If dog one manages to get away, dog two will follow her for a few seconds, all the while barking. Dog two can not be alerting me of trouble as I'm usually the one that is handling dog one when she screams. I'm right there and she's not barking at me, she's barking at her.
What is dog two doing? Does this say anything about the hierarchy in my home?
If I am clipping one of the pooches nails or otherwise annoying her in any fashion, her get-away tactic is to scream (assumingly to distract me) and takes off. It works for her as usually I loosen my grip instinctually out of fear that she's hurt. She's a smart brat.
The second dog goes crazy barking at her when she does this. If dog one manages to get away, dog two will follow her for a few seconds, all the while barking. Dog two can not be alerting me of trouble as I'm usually the one that is handling dog one when she screams. I'm right there and she's not barking at me, she's barking at her.
What is dog two doing? Does this say anything about the hierarchy in my home?
Dog two can not be alerting me of trouble as I'm usually the one that is handling dog one when she screams.This assumes far too much about your dog's understanding of cause and effect.
posted by MrMoonPie at 8:46 AM on October 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
I don't think you're going to find a sure answer.
My take: Dogs, like all animals, have a variety of behaviors that they try out in various situations--behaviors that simply arise from their "gut" if you will. The first time Dog two encountered this kind of loud yelping, it startled her and she engaged in this BARK-BARK-BARK response. Again, my personal guess is that as far as Dog two was concerned, it resulted in a good outcome such as (seemingly) shutting Dog one up, or establishing Dog two's dominance, or getting the attendant human's attention/affection.
They don't think very hard. They just try out one of their instinctual behaviors; if the dog thinks it is rewarded even a little, that behavior goes in the "good to try" file. Repeated confirmations (again, which don't have to be overtly positive) will reinforce it.
posted by General Tonic at 9:13 AM on October 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
My take: Dogs, like all animals, have a variety of behaviors that they try out in various situations--behaviors that simply arise from their "gut" if you will. The first time Dog two encountered this kind of loud yelping, it startled her and she engaged in this BARK-BARK-BARK response. Again, my personal guess is that as far as Dog two was concerned, it resulted in a good outcome such as (seemingly) shutting Dog one up, or establishing Dog two's dominance, or getting the attendant human's attention/affection.
They don't think very hard. They just try out one of their instinctual behaviors; if the dog thinks it is rewarded even a little, that behavior goes in the "good to try" file. Repeated confirmations (again, which don't have to be overtly positive) will reinforce it.
posted by General Tonic at 9:13 AM on October 8, 2010 [1 favorite]
P.S. - I think this is why dogs bark at the mailman. The first time a dog tries barking at the mailman, it results in the mailman leaving. This is reinforced six days a week.
posted by General Tonic at 9:15 AM on October 8, 2010 [6 favorites]
posted by General Tonic at 9:15 AM on October 8, 2010 [6 favorites]
Generally speaking, most animals have a limited number of vocalizations, and they have to be made to fit to every situation. Dogs can growl, they can cry/whine, or they can bark. In the situation you describe, 'bark' seems like the best option, assuming they want to vocalize at all and not ignore the whole drama.
posted by Gilbert at 9:35 AM on October 8, 2010
posted by Gilbert at 9:35 AM on October 8, 2010
It could be a prey-drive response. The yelping dog is emitting a noise which to your other dog, may sound like wounded prey, thus igniting a "bark and chase" response. This is not uncommon with terrier-type breeds which are bred to hunt and kill small animals.
I've seen this happen quite a bit with dogs in social settings - a small dog makes a yipping noise and a bunch of other dogs immediately take notice and may even chase the small dog for a minute before realizing, "Hey, it's just another dog, it's all ok".
posted by tryniti at 10:16 AM on October 8, 2010
I've seen this happen quite a bit with dogs in social settings - a small dog makes a yipping noise and a bunch of other dogs immediately take notice and may even chase the small dog for a minute before realizing, "Hey, it's just another dog, it's all ok".
posted by tryniti at 10:16 AM on October 8, 2010
My dog responds to another dog yelping and screaming by howling. He makes a very distinctive "awhooooooo" vocalization, with his head raised to the sky, just like a wolf. He is a chihuahua, which makes me crack up everytime he does this, thereby giving him positive reinforcement.
Really, they train us as much as we train them.
posted by lootie777 at 11:12 AM on October 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
Really, they train us as much as we train them.
posted by lootie777 at 11:12 AM on October 8, 2010 [2 favorites]
The crying and yelping is in part a call for help from the rest of the pack.
Your other dog is letting you know he's backing your play despite this plea, and letting the other dog know that he's sticking with the one that opens the food cans, thank you very much.
If the barker is generally lower on the pole than the yelper, then yes, the barking is an attempt to move up a notch by currying favor with you, but your position a the top remains absolutely secure, regardless.
posted by jamjam at 7:12 PM on October 8, 2010
Your other dog is letting you know he's backing your play despite this plea, and letting the other dog know that he's sticking with the one that opens the food cans, thank you very much.
If the barker is generally lower on the pole than the yelper, then yes, the barking is an attempt to move up a notch by currying favor with you, but your position a the top remains absolutely secure, regardless.
posted by jamjam at 7:12 PM on October 8, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by pineappleheart at 8:20 AM on October 8, 2010