Dogs bark to communicate with other dogs and persons. It does not have a meaning like the words of the human language, but it represents a type of communication that reports the emotional state of the dog who is barking.
Despite a limited vocabulary, dogs and babies communicate with us. They may not be verbal creatures, but they manage to “speak” back to us. Even without an extensive vocabulary, they make us understand their whines, cries, and coos especially when combined with their own special body language.
If a dog has been patiently communicating with you using non-verbal cues to no effect, he may decide that barking is the only way to get your attention. Don't interpret this type of bark the wrong way; your dog is just talking to you!
Some dogs bark at people or other animals to gain attention or rewards, like food, toys or play. Your dog might be barking in greeting if he barks when he sees people or other dogs and his body is relaxed, he's excited and his tail is wagging. Dogs who bark when greeting people or other animals might also whine.
Dogs bark at people for a variety of different reasons, whether because they are excited, frustrated that they can't greet the person, or even worried or uncomfortable about another's presence. If your dog is barking while in your front yard, they may feel protective of their home or be warning others to stay away.
Besides body language and scent, barking is their natural way to communicate. Barking may be emotional, to show that they are frightened, excited, or lonely. It can also be situational to convey protection or to alert you to danger. Certain breeds bark more than others.
Dogs are early warning systems and bark to alert us that someone or something has caught their attention. Perhaps someone is at the door or is walking a little to close to your home or car. Perhaps they've heard a sound…they will hear it seconds before you do!
Pheromones, glandular secretions, barks, whines, yips, growls, body postures, etc., all serve as effective means of communication between dogs. Unlike in people, canine body postures and olfactory (scent) cues are significant components of dog language and vocal communications are less significant.
Dogs use a myriad of behaviors to alert their handlers, such as licking, panting, looking away, pawing, staring at you, nudging, leaning, eye contact, jumping on your lap, becoming antsy, laying their head on your lap, sniffing, whining and more.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
Dogs don't read or write, so they don't think in words and symbols the way humans do. However, they can certainly be taught to recognise symbols and words and the actions associated with them, but this is done through very careful training and isn't their natural state.
Greeting/Play: Dogs often bark when greeting people or other animals. It's usually a happy bark, accompanied with tail wags and sometimes jumping. Attention Seeking: Dogs often bark when they want something, such as going outside, playing, or getting a treat.
Most dogs barking at strangers are barking for territorial reasons. When dogs are barking territorially, they may have stiff body posture and raised hackles. Dogs barking at strangers might also be barking out of excitement, however. This is common in well-socialized dogs that love seeing visitors and guests.
You're Not Weird — You're Just Smart
Interestingly, recent research has shown that talking to our pets is not only normal, but perhaps even a sign of intelligence.
Dogs that bark at strangers can be demonstrating territorial barking. This type of barking can occur when your dog sees strangers as a possible threat. While a bark that communicates an alert may be ok, some dogs overdo it. This is especially true in dogs who are fearful and anxious as they tend to be more reactive.
The woof or ruff – These are your typical playful barks intended to greet you or others. Woof barks are short in duration and have a mid- to lower pitch to them. They are your standard bark to say “hello” and “hey.” This comfortable bark means all is well in your dog's world.
Canines greet humans in many ways to show affection and love. Common greeting behaviours include smiling, licking, leaning, jumping and excessive tail wagging. This means the dog is friendly and excited to greet their owners or visitors.
A dog will lay his head over your neck to feel close to you. It is a sign of affection. So give your dog some love and then gently shift them away, so they learn that isn't a permanent place to stay.
Like their human counterparts, dogs develop favorite people over time based on positive experiences and positive associations with that person. Some people use tasty treats and other rewards to create strong bonds with pets, but the best way to build a healthy relationship with your dog is through play.
A dog tilts his head to show that he is engaged much the way a human would nod during a conversation to indicate that he is listening. Social dogs that enjoy human interaction usually tilt their heads more often to encourage the continuation of the conversation and prolong the human contact.
Have you ever wished your dog could talk could talk to you? Well, he does; just not with words. Research shows that dogs have their own way of communicating with their owners, as well as with other dogs.
Dogs spend much of their day snoozing, but in the hours they're awake, they probably spend time thinking about some of the same things that a 2- or 3-year-old child would: “Solving problems, what's for dinner, what's that over there?” Hare says.