Dogs naturally love to chase things — it’s part of their instinct. They may also chase humans because of their prey drive or to protect their territory. When someone approaches their home, dogs can bark, growl, or chase if they feel threatened.
Sometimes dogs react to new people simply because of unfamiliar scents, movements, or behaviors. Certain traits like hats, glasses, or even specific voices can also trigger them. Often, dogs bark at strangers because they think they’re protecting their owner.
Dogs are keen observers and remember how humans treat them. If they were mistreated in the past, they may act aggressively toward new people out of caution. To prevent this, dogs should be socialized from a young age, trained well, and rewarded for good behavior around others.
