What Does It Mean When my Dog Barks?

Just like humans, dogs do talk but in a different language where most people could comprehend. Dogs express their thoughts and feelings through whining, whimpering, yelping, growling, snarling, howling and most commonly barking.

Barking is an important part of dog communication and it’s what they do. Dogs should not be deprived from barking…periodically.

What if you are not allowed to talk for 36 hours, and then be reprimanded if you greeted your neighbor? Not very nice, I suppose. Wouldn’t it be silly to expect your dog to spend his entire life in silence?

Barking is normal, and a little is okay. However excessive barking is not desirable, it indicates a behavioral problem. Hence making you very unpopular with your neighbors as well as getting into trouble with local animal control.

Fun Fact: Puppies do not bark. They begin barking at about the age of 8 weeks old.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Wolves usually use barking for one obvious reason and that is to warn about possible intruders. Occasionally they bark due to stress. However, dogs tend to bark more often and for various reasons.

Having said, not all barking is necessarily aggressive. It can mean anything from “Hurry up, come and play!” or “My name is Fido, I’m your next door neighbor.” to “One false move, I’ll tear your throat out!”

Hearing the sound of barking alone is not enough to interpret accurately. We have to take into account of the volume, pitch and body expressions in order to differentiate a friendly gesture from an aggressive one.

Fact: Some breeds, i.e. terrier group, are supreme barkers. Dachshunds and Chihuahuas are also known to be pretty vocal. On a lighter note, it’s possible to tame their thoughts to themselves through training. (Next week, I’ll be sharing effective tips to curb this nasty behavior).

What Are the Various Barking Sound Dogs Make and What Do They Mean?

Dogs bark because they are…

• Marking their Territory

Sound: Medium to low pitch sometimes followed by growling or snarling.
Body: Tail still and slight arched, ears pricked, raised eyebrow, wrinkled forehead and teeth bared.
Situations: Nursing dog lying with her pups or when you (his possession) are faced with a robber.

• Sounding an Alarm

Sound: Lower pitch and become more rapid and louder as intruder gets closer.
Body: Straight back, tail erect but wagged slowly. When intruder gets nearer, tail will remain still, eyes wide and unflinching.
Situation: When the FedEx man arrived at the door or detecting a smoke within the vicinity or fireworks.

• Getting Attention

Sound: Short and evenly, moderate to slightly high pitch. Soft to moderately loud.
Body: Good tail carriage. Relaxed jaws. Straight neck.
Situation: When he needs to be let out to for nature call or showing you his recent price possession, dead rabbit.

Fact: Barking to get attention is common in pampered small dogs when they feel they are being ignored by their owners. If you respond (not ideally), they will stop; otherwise they will continue barking for an annoyingly long time.

• Greeting, Indicating Excitement

Sound: High to very high pitch and rapid. Volume varies.
Body: Tail held up, wagging rapidly, straight back and neck.
Situation: When you come home from work or preparing his meal or about to take him for a walk.

• Isolated or Separation Anxiety

Sound: Short and low pitch, gradually increased volume and usually followed by howling.
Body: Usually in sitting position. Ears folded back. Raised neck when howling.
Situation: When you leave for work or dropping him off at the grooming parlor.

• Bored

Sound: Moderate to lower pitch. Usually no more than four barks.
Body: Relaxed
Situation: After chewing his favorite toy for a long time and cannot find any interesting object to chew on or watching hours of moving cars.

• Letting off Stream or Frustrated
  

Sound: Moderate to lower pitch, moderately loud. Usually one to two barks.
Body: Almost relaxed
Situation: During playtime with other dogs, or with you (only in rare situation).

• Making his Presence Felt (Similar to Getting Attention)

Sound: Short, evenly, moderate to slightly high pitch. Loud, depending his distance away from the subject.
Body: Relaxed straight body, ears drawn back, smooth forehead with occasional wagged tail.
Situation: Signaling his presence with other dogs or you that may not be visible to him - communicating behind a fence or wall.

• Responding to Other Dog

Sound: Short, evenly, moderate to slightly high pitch. Loud, depending his distance away from the subject.
Body: Relaxed straight body, ears drawn back, smooth forehead with occasional wagged tail.
Situation: Communicating with the other dog behind a fence or echoing to the next apartment block.

So when the next time your dog barks, please investigate the cause before you reprimand him.