30/09/2023
The fact that I am even here writing this post is....disappointing to say the least. But, here we go.
I honestly don't understand the reason behind someone choosing to make "barking" sounds towards an animal, especially one that is already barking, but it is apparently a thing that some folks do.
Barking at a dog can be startling. It can be intimidating, or downright frightening. Barking at a dog that is already barking at you (perhaps this dog is worried about your presence) will likely increase that dog's worry about you and strangers encountered in the future.
"Barking" at a dog, to me, sounds like screaming at a toddler that is having a meltdown; it's not helping anybody.
Not the baby, not the parent, not the dog, not the guardian - I can't fathom how it might be helping you?
If a dog barks at you, give it space. Don't purposefully engage with it or provoke it. Let's not make a mockery of an animal's emotions, just because we feel like we can.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk....