Barking – A dog may bark as a warning, an invitation, a call of distress, or just because it's happy. There are many reasons for the bark, but it always means your dog is communicating something. If your dog is distressed or fearful, it may sound off in a repetitive high-pitched tone.
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.
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.
While the emotional source of a rapid bark could be fear or excitement, a quick woof-burst is intended to get your attention fast. A dog's bark can be high-pitched or low-pitched. High-pitched barks are typically associated with a frightened dog while low-pitched ones are meant to be threatening.
Single sharp short dog barking noise at a higher mid-range: “What's this?” or “Huh?” This is a startled or surprised sound. If it's repeated two or three times, its meaning changes to, “Come look at this!” to alert the pack to a new event.
Single high-pitched bark – a painful yelp and expression of pain. Single medium-pitched bark – a dog that wants to be left alone. Single barks with long pauses – a lonely dog calling for attention or company. One or two short, medium-pitched barks – usually a greeting sound.
If your dog is emitting 2-4 barks with pauses in between (frequency & duration) in a low pitch (pitch), this typically means a “Call the pack, there is danger” message from your little one. He notices something strange going on, is playing close attention to it, and is scared that the pack is in danger.
Dogs appear to enjoy barking, and they do so for various reasons. They bark when they want something, when they say "hello," when they are having fun, when they are startled or alarmed, when they are defending their territory or threatening someone, when they are frustrated, and when they hear other dogs barking.
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!
Your dog wants to play when it barks
You will know when your dog is barking playfully, usually accompanied by a wagging tail and possibly jumping up. This can occur when meeting people or when they have their favourite toy.
Dogs move toward each other in a calm and relaxed way, often approaching from the side or along an arc rather than head-on. Sniffing is a huge part of the process, and dogs may take an interest in any area with glands, pheromones or other scents.
Do Dogs Like When You Talk to Them? Yes! Research published in Animal Cognition found that both puppies and adult dogs are attentive to the high-pitch voice we use with babies and the more even-toned language used with adults.
Although dogs can't identify themselves in the mirror, they still have some level of self-awareness and ace other self-recognition tests. They can recognize their own odor, and recall memories of specific events, Earth.com reports.
Boredom. Dogs become bored easily when they have nothing to do and will make their own fun. Barking at every sound they hear, joining in with the neighbor dogs in a group barking session, or just barking to let out energy are all reasons behind night barking. Loneliness.
Your dog has inadvertently been trained to bark, because when he barks you reward him by looking at him and talking to him. The best way to change behavior that is done to get your attention, particularly disruptive behavior like barking, is to ignore it rather than reward it.
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.
When dogs sniff people they are gaining all sorts of information about us. They know if we are familiar or a stranger. They know which scents we have attracted while we've been away. They know if we are experiencing changes in hormones, such as those that occur during pregnancy.
They Show Affection
That is, it's affectionate when combined with butt wiggles and other signals of happiness. For example, when you come home after a long day at work, your dog wants to say “Hi Mom! I'm so excited you're home!” Then, the doggie kisses are a natural show of affection.
This calming sensation triggers a specific reaction in their brain that responds to hair follicle stimulation. Dogs, like humans, also release endorphins and oxytocin through methods of touch, so rubbing a dog's belly can help with bonding and affection. Ultimately, dogs like belly rubs because they feel good!
Dogs do not get tired of barking. The act of barking actually makes your dog want to bark more. Barking is a self-reinforcing dog behavior, which means that the act of barking makes your best friend feel good. Other self-reinforcing behaviors, where the reward is the behavior itself, are chewing and chasing.
A single bark may be given when a dog is surprised or annoyed, as if to say, “huh?” or “knock it off.” On the other hand, a long string of barks likely indicates the dog is far more worked up, such as the prolonged sound of alarm barking.