What is your dog trying to say?
Is your dog just barking or are you not listening properly. Hopefully these insights will help you understand your dog better.
1. Continuous rapid barking, midrange pitch: “Call the pack! There is a potential problem! Someone is coming into our territory!” Continuous barking but a bit slower and pitched lower: “The intruder [or danger] is very close. Get ready to defend yourself!”
2. Barking in rapid strings of three or four with pauses in between, midrange pitch: “I suspect that there may be a problem or an intruder near our territory. I think that the leader of the pack should look into it.”
3. Prolonged or incessant barking, with moderate to long intervals between each utterance: “Is there anybody there? I’m lonely and need companionship.” This is most often the response to confinement or being left alone for long periods of time.
4. One or two sharp short barks, midrange pitch: “Hello there!” This is the most typical greeting sound.
5. Single sharp short bark, lower midrange pitch: “Stop that!” This is often given by a mother dog when disciplining her puppies but may also indicate annoyance in any dog, such as when disturbed from sleep or if hair is pulled during grooming and so forth.
6. Single sharp short bark, higher midrange: “What’s this?” or “Huh?” This is a startled or surprised sound. If it is repeated two or three times its meaning changes to “Come look at this!” alerting the pack to a novel event. This same type of bark, but not quite as short and
sharp, is used to mean “Come here!” Many dogs will use this kind of bark at the door to indicate that they want to go out. Lowering the pitch to a relaxed midrange means “Terrific!” or some other similar expletive, such as “Oh, great!” My cairn terrier, for example, who loves to jump, will give this single bark of joy when sent over the high jump. Other dogs give this same bark when given their food dish.
7. Single yelp or very short high-pitched bark: “Ouch!” This is in response to a sudden, unexpected pain.
8. Series of yelps: “I’m hurting!” “I’m really scared” This is in response to severe fear and pain.
9. Stutter-bark, midrange pitch: If a dog’s bark were spelled “ruff,” the stutter-bark would be spelled “ar-ruff.” It means “Let’s play!” and is used to initiate playing behavior.
10. Rising bark: This is a bit hard to describe, although once you’ve heard it, it is unmistakable. It is usually a series of barks, each of which starts in the middle range but rises sharply in pitch – almost a bark-yelp, though not quite that high. It is a play bark, used during rough-and- tumble games, that shows excitement and translates as “This is fun!”
I hope you are now going to listen more closely to your dog next time.
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Elizabeth Style said,
Wrote on November 8, 2007 @ 03:45
You have hit the bark on the spot. My 3 do just as you say, great characters, when playing you can almost see the words fly out of their mouths. My Rusty really can bark SOOOOOO loud when he senses stranger danger, whic is great. No-one can creep up on me anywhere.
Thanks for your interesting site.
Lisa said,
Wrote on November 8, 2007 @ 07:09
I LOVE THIS!
And we all thought Timmy and Lassie were crazy!
~Lisa
Joyce Collins said,
Wrote on November 8, 2007 @ 14:02
Dear Justin,
I have another bark to add to your collection. High pitched yip-yip-yipping. “There is a bunny right out there, and I can’t get to it. Come and see!” This is what my 6 month old Westie does when the cottontail rabbits are in sight. Thought you might enjoy.
Joyce
Joyce Collins said,
Wrote on November 8, 2007 @ 14:05
Another thought. I listen to my dogs, I have 10 Westies at the moment, 5 of them 3 weeks old. They have a very definite language. I can tell if they want out, want to go for a ride, just want to play or with one in particular who is very pushy wants someone, man or beast, to do something and is not getting cooperation or if their water dish or food dish is empty. Listen carefully and you can easily understand “dog”
Joyce
Robert said,
Wrote on November 8, 2007 @ 15:11
Some very good ideas
Starr said,
Wrote on November 8, 2007 @ 18:11
I heard a perfect example of #3, the incessant barking today during our walk to the park. Unfortunately someone left a lovely dog alone in his back yard which borders on the park. My 5 month old Bichon, Bogey, was shocked when he heard the cry for company and it made me feel guilty that I couldn’t do anything about it other than leave. I’m sure Bogey couldn’t figure out why the lonely dog couldn’t come with us.
parlance said,
Wrote on November 9, 2007 @ 01:08
I found this very interesting and have added a link to my blog. I hope that is okay.
Even when we were new dog owners and didn’t recognise our dog’s different barks, everyone in the family would respond immediately to a couple of her barks – when she was hurt, for instance, or surprised. I think humans can instinctively understand a little of the dog language.
Ruth Lanham said,
Wrote on November 19, 2007 @ 20:52
Great article! I am also adding a link to my blog.
Thanks!
LLLL said,
Wrote on November 20, 2007 @ 01:37
Spot on! I can relate every single one of these to my dog’s behaviour. Well done.
brian said,
Wrote on November 20, 2007 @ 01:49
hi, i have a dog but i have no place to home it.so the dog sleeps at another house.when i come to see her at the morning. she feels like seeing nobody for lots of time and i donn’t know if she is hungry or what?
Mandi said,
Wrote on November 24, 2007 @ 05:02
What a great article! Informative and you really took the time to explain the different barks! I knew most of the time what my lab mix Guinness was trying to say, but this really made me think!
James said,
Wrote on November 26, 2007 @ 03:24
I dare not speak ill of anyone’s dog, I know I love mine too much, but yippy dogs have trouble communicating.
I have the world’s perfect dog, the shih tzu.
he is not long-haired or foofy.
he is very intelligent. He looks to where I point.
he is a lot of dog packed into a little dog.
he has multiple vocalizations including varying whines and groans and grumbles.
for anyone who hasn’t seen a shih tzu howling it is probably the funniest thing on the planet.
I can tell what he wants by his vocalizations and his postures. He knows how to ask for a walk and how to ask to play. He knows how to announce company has arrived. He knows how to keep the peace and protect me.
for those who don’t know, shih tzus are extremely loyal, the males are not yappy at all, they are protective and love to play rough.
And for those wondering, there is no such
AKC registered breed as the teacup or imperial shih tzu. They are runts who are bred as such. They are pretty useless as anything other than a doll.
The AKC shih tzu should weigh between 12 and 18 lbs.
mine is 18 lbs and not fat or skinny.
yes, grooming is a pain.
Debra said,
Wrote on November 26, 2007 @ 23:31
Very helpful information! Our dogs are always trying to communicate with us, whether it is the pitch of their bark, or their body language. And they are constantly looking at our own body language for cues, not just what we ask them for with a verbal cue.
Thank you!
Debra
Tanny said,
Wrote on November 28, 2007 @ 12:58
My sweet dogs are trying to speak human language, I think they will succeed one day
Tanny
Rod said,
Wrote on November 28, 2007 @ 14:49
You have really mentioned what exactly my dog tries to tell me. Good tips to understand their communication. Thank you for such wonderful article.
Max said,
Wrote on November 29, 2007 @ 19:31
Very accurate – but- for barking dogs. I have a Vizsla which is a hunting dog- those dogs in the rule do not bark (not supposed ot as they chase away the hunt). However, when they bark – it sometimes fits the above. There are exceptions – like quick incessant high pitch barking often combined with barking – which is – “I am challenging you” usually when prevented to get food form the street or ordered back when they don’t want to.
Joe said,
Wrote on November 30, 2007 @ 19:54
My 6 year old Collie makes a sound that is not quite a bark and not quite a growl. The best I can type it is something like “rowrarroww”, with all sorts of fluctuations in pitch and rhythm. It’s obviously an indication of pleasure, because she almost only does this when I pet her and she starts rolling around on her back and pressing her face into whatever is nearby. This can go on for minutes at a time and get quite loud. I can’t imagine what my neighbors think I am doing to this poor dog. The only other time she makes that sound is when I’m trying to talk to another human and she feels left out. I think she is putting her two cents in.
noneofyobuizz said,
Wrote on December 5, 2007 @ 19:45
Cool thanks for the tips. I think I’ll start to understand more about what my two dogs say and check more on this website to make sure that I’m right. ;P
Because of Dali said,
Wrote on December 21, 2007 @ 19:32
Excellent Post!!! We love it and so does Dali (our Chihuahua). Visit our blog at http://www.dogs-news.com
Very helpful information about dogs barking, thank you
dog houses said,
Wrote on January 25, 2008 @ 01:56
Nice post! These facts are very informative! I will be saving this page to my favorites for sure.
Jessie said,
Wrote on January 27, 2008 @ 11:52
Jessie…
Geat post. I added you to my blog roll!…
Viv said,
Wrote on February 14, 2008 @ 04:15
Thanks for great blog and info. It is so true about the various types of barks, we have 9 dogs and when the Alpha boy (Bibi) barks in a certain way i.e. in an urgent manner, we always take heed and check out the situation. We live on a small holding and to date everyone around us has had their home broken into but not ours!
We listen to our dogs and in every instance they have done a job well done. We say thumbs up to our pack! – they are not only our children, friends but they pride themselves in keeping their human family safe.
We thank God for these beautiful treasures, and that we have the honour of loving and looking after them as they do to us.
laura said,
Wrote on February 27, 2008 @ 16:57
Thanks so much for this informative article on barking. Every dog’s bark is unique but these are great guidelines and clues into what might be going on. Some of them I knew but some I hadn’t thought of. My Ginger is, among other things, a very good watchdog. She knows I’m blind so she alerts me to anyone or anything that enters into our territory. She has a sort of different bark that starts mid-range and rises a little in pitch, not up to a yelp but it happens when she knows she’s going to have diarrhea or vomit, which she has done a couple of times. It means “I know it’s not a scheduled bathroom time but I just have to get out there because I don’t want to have an accident in the house.” When she does that, I grab the leash (I always have one nearby) and get her out asap. I think knowing our dogs’ barks is rather like when a mother knows her baby’s different cries, one for being hungry, one for needing to be changed, one for surprise, indignation or anger (hey, how come that man jabbed me with a needle? Just because he’s a doctor . . . etc.) My dog had a certain kind of yelp when he was surprised and a longer yelp when disappointed (aw, come on, do you have to put that nasty stuff in my ear again? It hurts enough already!”
Anyway, I applaud you for having this wonderful blog and especially for this article on barking. I’ve never seen such a thorough article on the different kinds of barks and I like the fact that it is something which a blind person can use to better understand the dog’s language, at least in general terms. this should be mandatory reading for all guide dog owners.May I have permission to forward the article on barking to the guide dog user discussion lists to which I belong?
Again, thank you for a wonderfully informative blog.
Joann Gary said,
Wrote on March 5, 2008 @ 10:44
I love this article, I am retired and spend a great deal of time with my dogs.
My 5 yr old mastiff is truely my best friend, when I come home from shopping or whatever, he greets me at the door and believe it or not he is saying mama, love you, over and over.
The other day, my 8 yr old grandson was with me, and his mouth dropped open, as he looked at me and said “Grandma Fred is talking” so I asked him what he heard and he repeated…MAMA, LOVE YOU.
joann
Michele said,
Wrote on August 30, 2008 @ 20:21
I was at a park with my dog and a stranger came up and asked to pet my dog. My dog backed up into me and I said, “No, she would not like that.? He went ahead and stuck out his hand and approached her. She leaped into my lap barking and growling. I said, “I said no. He was offended and told me I handled the situation wrongly and my dog shouldn’t be out in public. What was I suppose to do. We are working with a trainer to stop this behaviour but until then what can I say?
Andie said,
Wrote on July 4, 2009 @ 16:34
I could be mistaken, but this sounds like it came straight off of Stanley Coren’s “How to Speak Dog”…
Hi Andie,
I have never owned this book but it does look good.
Regards
Justin
Don Knowles said,
Wrote on August 1, 2009 @ 08:23
Then there are the low rumbles, moans and groans of tummy rubs, settling in for a good nap or just plain sighs of contentment, dogs speak this way to.
Camilian said,
Wrote on August 30, 2009 @ 15:48
My dog uses all of these barks, and then some. He uses long “grooooooaaannnnnns!” And “Roo roo ra roo!” barks to ‘talk’ to use, especially during playtime and when having him do tricks for dog biscuits. Translated roughly as “What are you waiting for?” and “ohhhh, maaan!”
Dogs are amazing.