Barking at people showing fear.

[BluEyesUNC]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking for a little insight into some behavior that my 2yr old, neutered, rescue shows. Both my dogs bark at people that they don't know that walk by our front door when I have the door open, but the metal security screen door closed. They can see out the security door, but can't get to the people. Also, they bark at people who may be working in our back yard - for example when we had a tree cut down. It's just alert barking, no undertones of aggression. However, if someone shows fear, the tone of my Rottie's bark changes (the other dog is mostly barking to hear himself bark). When the guys were cutting down the tree, one of the workers was visibly nervous about the dogs, despite the barrier, and Jesse just layed into him - vocally only of course. Very mean sounding bark with snarling on the breath intake. No teeth bared or anything though. I am just wondering why this man's fear would set him off like that? Does the dog perceive fear as a threat?

[Ariaditya]

I guess ...they can smell fear ... It's their nature for being dominance animal..if they smell it in you he's trying to get dominancy over you also ( pardon my English)

[Lorrie]

Dogs do not smell fear but do read body language.

If YOU noticed how anxious the guy was that was cutting down the tree .. your dogs most certainly did. Fear response by another animal or human can incite an aggressive response in a potential attacker.

This completely normal (although not exactly desired) dog behaviour.

[AngelBunny]

The behavior is to be expected; however, it's not something I'd let continue. I'd politely, but firmly, tell my dogs that I see the nice men cutting down the tree and you're to stop barking now. If they didn't become silent that instant, I'd more firmly tell them That's enough! and remove them from visual contact--like putting them in their crates.

[smileygirl]

I have the same issue with mine. They will bark (it's amazing the difference in barks and I actually get it..like your babies human crying!) to alert, I acknowledge the bark and check to see what the fuss is(except squirrel visits more of a whine) then tell them "thank you". If the barking escalates or persists I say "enough" in a firm tone. It seems to be working around here. They will usually follow me to where ever I am going back to..kitchen..office. I do think they can definately tell when someone is uneasy....Good Luck! It's a daily reinforcement here....Tina

[BluEyesUNC]

I definately don't let the barking continue. I don't want anybody to view my dogs as vicious, so that kind of barking gets stopped as soon as I can get to the dog. He's good about listening when I tell him to stop, so that's not too much of an issue.

I was just wondering why this sort of behavior is provoked by a person's fear. It is DEFINATELY a less than desirable behavior and I was hoping to understand the root of it so that I could do a better job of modifying the behavior.

Thanks for all the responses so far.