July 18, 2025, 9:18 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Many dog owners feel uncomfortable when their own dog barks at strangers. Often, the behavior seems to come out of nowhere, but it usually has clear causes. Dog trainer Katharina Marioth explains what triggers might be behind the barking, how owners should respond, and when the behavior becomes problematic.
Different Types of Barking–and What They Mean
Not all barking is the same. According to Marioth, to correctly interpret a dog’s behavior, it’s important to listen closely–and watch carefully.
Territorial Barking
A common reason dogs bark at people is territorial barking. This can be recognized by a deep, strong tone that clearly comes from the chest. The dog is signaling: “This is my area–stay away!” Male dogs, in particular, often reinforce this behavior when they are allowed to mark regularly during walks. “This gives them the feeling that the area belongs to them,” explains the dog trainer. Therefore, it’s advisable not to unnecessarily encourage this behavior.
Barking Out of Insecurity
Another trigger can be insecurity. In such cases, dogs often bark from a distance–for example, because a person seems intimidating to them. Triggers can include unusual clothing, a limping gait, or aids like a walker. Marioth advises positive training in these situations: “You can make such stimuli less threatening through food rewards and targeted approach.” The so-called pendulum technique, where you cautiously approach a stimulus and then move away before the dog reacts, is particularly effective. This teaches the dog: “I don’t have to handle this; my human will take care of it.”
Hunting Behavior
Hunting behavior can also be behind the barking–in this case, it usually manifests as a shrill, nervous tone, known as “yipping.” Here, special anti-hunting training is required. “You can offer the dog a substitute prey–such as a dummy or tug toy–and teach them an alternative behavior,” says Marioth. It’s important to tailor the training tool to the individual dog.
Your Dog Barks at People? Here’s How to Respond Correctly
In general, the earlier you intervene, the better. Because once the dog barks, it has usually already learned a lesson–the perceived intruder moves away, and the dog feels validated. Marioth explains: “The dog thinks: I bark, the stimulus disappears–this works!”
Instead, it’s sensible to reward the dog while it’s still calm and teach it to turn to its owner when faced with a stimulus. The goal is for the dog to alert when it notices something–and then relinquish control. In rarer cases, barking on command can also be trained, including a targeted stop signal–but this requires very good timing on the part of the owner.
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What to Do When the Doorbell Rings?
Many dog owners wish their dog would bark at the doorbell but then calm down. However, according to Marioth, this wish is only partially realistic. “A dog can’t count. It doesn’t know it’s only allowed to bark twice,” she clarifies.
Instead, she recommends associating the doorbell with an alternative behavior from the start–such as: “Go to your mat.” This can be particularly well established with young dogs or newcomers. If desired, the dog can also be taught to bark on command–then the behavior is controllable and serves merely as a retrievable trick.
When Barking Becomes a Problem
In certain cases, constant barking can indicate deeper issues. Especially if the behavior develops suddenly, caution is advised. “You should always consider physical causes like pain,” Marioth emphasizes. The dog may have developed an unpleasant association between a stimulus and pain–for example, due to a changed gait.
Emotionally, constant barking is also stressful–for both the dog and the owner. “A stressed dog creates stress for the owner. That’s not a good combination,” says the trainer. Additionally, the behavior can escalate: A territorial dog that doesn’t feel taken seriously may start jumping on or snapping at people. Insecure dogs might react aggressively to proximity. In the case of hunting behavior, it could even lead to biting in the worst-case scenario.
Marioth’s advice is therefore: Act early and, if necessary, seek professional help. The earlier you recognize and counteract unwanted behavior, the better the chances of long-term improvement–for everyone involved.
You can watch the interview with dog trainer Katharina Marioth in the video.
About the Expert
Katharina Marioth is the founder of the brand Stadthundetraining and the KEML principle. She is a certified dog trainer and behavioral assessor for dangerous dogs in Berlin. In her daily work, she collaborates closely with veterinarians, scientists, and other specialists on dog-related topics. With her knowledge and skills, she secured the title of Dog Trainer of the Year 2023 in the Sat.1 show “The Dog Trainer Champion.”