Dogs bark at some people and not others for a variety of reasons. It all boils down to how they perceive the person based on several factors:
Resting Bitch Face: Some of these women are so miserable, a strange look has been embedded into their face, causing a permanent "stay away" demeanor.
Sight and Scent: Dogs have a super-powered sense of smell, thousands of times stronger than ours! They can pick up on subtle scents that might indicate something unfamiliar or even scary, like another dog on someone's clothes or strong cologne. Sight plays a role too. An unfamiliar person with a hat, beard, or sunglasses might appear more threatening.
Body Language: Even if we don't consciously notice, dogs are great at reading body language. Someone with stiff posture, direct eye contact, or loud talking might be interpreted as aggressive by a dog.
Past Experiences: If a dog has had a negative experience with a certain type of person, like a man with a booming voice, they might be more likely to bark at anyone with similar traits.
Protecting Their Pack: Dogs see their home and family as their pack. Barking can be a way of alerting them to a stranger and letting them know they're on guard duty.
Picking Up on Our Emotions: Dogs can actually smell stress and anxiety hormones! If you're feeling nervous around a new dog, they might pick up on that and bark out of confusion or protectiveness.
It's important to remember that barking isn't always a sign of aggression. Sometimes, it's simply a dog's way of communicating that they're unsure or excited about the situation. By understanding why they bark and responding calmly, we can help create a more positive experience for everyone.
Deal with a resting bitch? Hire a hacker and give her something to make faces about, really!