If your dog barks when you kiss someone you might be wondering why and what you can do about it. This post will show you common causes and what you can do about it.
So, why does my dog bark when I kiss? Possible reasons why your dog barks when you kiss are that it wants attention for itself, it has been getting rewards for barking when you kiss or that it is confused.
There are multiple reasons why it might be doing it and it could be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are some things you can do to get it to stop.
Why your dog barks when you kiss
Below are some common causes and what would make them more likely.
It wants attention itself
The cause could be that it is jealous of you and the other person giving attention to each other and it wants attention for itself. This would be more likely if you tend to give it attention straight away when it barks and if it has been doing it more since you give it attention it for doing it one time.
Instead, it would help to ignore it and to reward it when it does not bark or after it stops barking for a while.
The behavior has been rewarded
It might also be the case that it has learned that it gets other rewards for barking when you kiss. This would be more likely if you tend to give it things it wants when it does it such as toys, treats or food, it will likely do it more in order to get more rewards.
It’s confused
The cause could also be that it is confused and does not understand what you are doing. This would be more likely if it shows signs of being confused by doing things such as tilting its head.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your dog barks when you kiss.
What else happened when your dog first started barking when you kiss
If your dog did not always bark when you used to kiss, it would help to consider what else happened when it first started doing it.
If it started doing it suddenly, it would be more likely that it does it because it has learned that it gets rewards when it does it.
Whereas, if it has always done it, the cause would be more likely to be due to wanting attention for itself or possibly because it is reacting to you both acting unusually.
What is different when your dog barks when you kiss
It would also help to consider if it always barks when you kiss or if it just does it occasionally.
For example, if it does it more when you are both making noises or when you kiss for a long time, it would be more likely that it is reacting to the unusual behavior. Whereas, if it always does it, it would be more likely that it wants attention for itself.
The body language it shows
It would also help to consider the body language it shows when it barks.
For example, if it shows signs of excitement by doing things such as wagging its tail, jumping up at you and having its tongue out, it would be more likely that it thinks that it will get rewarded for doing it.
Whereas, if it shows signs of being anxious by doing things such as pacing or whining, it would be more likely that it thinks that something is wrong when you kiss each other.
How to get your dog to stop barking when you kiss
Below are some things you can do to get it to stop.
Avoid rewarding it
As mentioned above, it could be the case that it does it because it is trying to get rewards from you. Instead, it would help to avoid giving it rewards when it does it, to wait for it to stop barking before rewarding it and to reward it when it does not bark when you kiss.
Avoid punishing it
If you shout at it for barking, it would help to avoid doing so. Even punishment is a form of attention and can be considered as a reward for your dog which might actually encourage the behavior. Instead, it would help to reward it when it does not bark and to ignore it when it does.
Positive reinforcement training
Positive reinforcement training is where you encourage your dog to behave the way you want by rewarding it for showing signs of behaving that way.
Below is a video showing how you can use positive reinforcement training to get your dog to stop barking. Start it at the 2-minute mark to skip the intro.
Distract it
Another option would be to give your dog distractions when you are kissing. Things you could give it would include toys, bones or puzzle games.