‘Naughty’ dog behaviour like ‘jumping up’ could actually be a sign of stress

Leading veterinary charity PDSA is calling on pet owners to recognise the signs of stress in their animals, warning that such behaviour could be mistaken for disobedience. Thousands of dogs bark, leap and dash towards the door the moment the postman arrives, yet according to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), what many owners perceive as “naughty” behaviour is more often than not rooted in anxiety.

As part of Dog Awareness Week 2026, running until July 10, PDSA is urging owners to adopt straightforward reward-based training techniques to help their dogs remain calm, ease stress and reduce the risk of biting incidents.

PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Walsh said: “Dogs often see the front door as part of their territory, so when someone arrives unexpectedly, their instinct is to investigate or alert their family. While this behaviour is completely normal, it can quickly become stressful for both dogs and pet owners if it gets out of hand, and in some extreme cases can even lead to a dog biting.”

Many dogs unknowingly rehearse the same behaviour every single day. “From your dog’s perspective, barking works. The post person arrives, your dog barks, and then the post person leaves. Your dog may genuinely believe they’ve chased the visitor away, which reinforces the behaviour every time it happens”, the expert adds.

Your dog may not be ‘bad’, they could be stressed

The charity points out that barking isn’t always a sign of excitement – it can also indicate that a pet is finding something difficult. PDSA advises owners to watch for the following signs in their dog:

• Excessive barking or jumping up
• Pacing and panting
• Whining, trembling, or hiding away
• Ears pinned back
• Difficulty settling after visitors leave

Shauna added: “Punishing a dog for barking is likely to make the situation worse because they’re often already feeling worried or overwhelmed. Rewarding calm behaviour is far more effective and helps build your dog’s confidence.

“Most dogs can learn to stay calm when the doorbell rings, but it takes patience and practice. Teaching an alternative behaviour and rewarding calm responses can make postal deliveries and visitors arriving much less stressful for everyone.”

If a dog reacts with strong distress when someone arrives at the door, or if training isn’t making a difference, PDSA recommends seeking advice from a vet.

Do this when your dog barks

Instead of scolding dogs, PDSA advises owners to focus on teaching them a new routine. “Instead of focusing on stopping the barking, teach your dog what you’d like them to do instead. For example, training them to go to their bed or mat when the doorbell rings gives them a clear job, helps them feel secure and makes answering the door much calmer for everyone.”

It also recommends practising with recorded doorbell sounds or loud knocking before progressing to real visitors, and providing your dog with a stuffed food toy, puzzle feeder, or safe chew while you answer the door. PDSA advises rewarding your dog whenever they choose to settle on their bed or mat. Owners should avoid shouting or punishing barking, as this can increase fear and overexcitement; instead, keep training sessions short, positive, and consistent.

Dog’s Trust warning

Experts at Dogs Trust warn that ignoring or discouraging these early warning signs can teach a dog that subtle signals of fear don’t work. As a result, they may feel they have no option but to escalate their behaviour next time, potentially to lunging or biting.

It explains: “If your dog shows any signs of aggression, avoid the triggers for that behaviour as much as possible. This might mean keeping your dog completely away from whatever appears to be making them feel uncomfortable. Then seek help from your vet or a qualified behaviourist as soon as possible.

“Pain and medical disorders can affect your dog’s behaviour. If your dog shows signs of being fearful, speak to your vet to check if there are no underlying health problems that might be contributing to their behaviour.

“If the vet finds that your dog is in good health, then ask for a referral to an accredited behaviourist for individual support.”