Dogs don't just bark when they are excited, although it can seem that way when they are trying to get your attention. They bark when they are frightened, lonely, surprised, irritated, and more.
Barking – A dog may bark as a warning, an invitation, a call of distress, or just because it's happy.
Barking is an alarm sound. There is no threat of aggression signaled by the dog unless it is lower-pitched and mixed with growls.
If you believe your dog is barking simply to get your attention, try to ignore them. Regular exercise and the use of puzzle toys can keep your dog occupied during a work call or when you're watching TV.
When your dog barks at you, it means he is try to tell you something. What that something is will vary. He could be demanding food, asking for attention, being protective, telling you he is in pain, or alerting you to what he perceives as danger.
This is known as demand barking. Generally, this behavior is a result of your dog trying to get attention or another need met. If your dog is barking at you excessively, ignore your dog's barking and reward what you do want – the quiet moments between barking, engaging with toys etc.
Puppy biting is a social behavior, it's their way of asking someone to play. Biting can become more intense when a puppy is over-stimulated, frustrated and when they are over-tired. The same can be said for barking and jumping.
There are multiple reasons that a dog may exhibit aggression toward family members. The most common causes include conflict aggression, fear-based, defensive aggression, status related aggression, possessive aggression, food guarding aggression and redirected aggression.
If you bark at someone, you shout at them aggressively in a loud, rough voice.
Dogs may bark when calling out to other dogs, expressing emotion, being territorial or when trying to grab their owner's attention. Any noise, no matter how slight, can stimulate a barking response – for example rustling leaves, a banging window, lightning or thunder, or a ring of the doorbell.
Dogs are constantly monitoring social interactions and are wary of how other people treat their owners. They're more likely to show distrust and bark if they see people being unhelpful. They can even pick up the general attitude their owner has toward someone.
Generally, a high-pitch bark is usually a positive thing, used when they want to tell others that they're not a threat or an invitation to play but can also be used when suddenly feel frightened. A low-pitched bark or growl is a sign of a threatened dog, possibly aggressive and it would like to be left alone.
Typically when a dog sniffs a person they are uncomfortable with, it's due to the pheromones that person is giving off. To the dog, those pheromones may signal a threat or an alarm telling the dog to beware. Humans can also give off pheromones that reek of fear or nervousness to a dog.
If his growl doesn't mean a bite is imminent, stop what you're doing but stay where you are. Wait until he relaxes, then move away, so you're rewarding the relaxed behavior rather than the growl.
Dogs are much smarter than some people give them credit for. When faced with a bad situation or an untrustworthy person, dogs often react and let their loved ones know that something is wrong. It's why dogs have been trained to work as service dogs and police dogs.
Fear can elicit sudden behavioral and temperament changes such as aggression. If the aggression is temporary, it might be that your dog is simply reacting to a perceived threat. However, it's still important to figure out why your dog reacted as it did if it hasn't done so in the past.
They Simply Want Attention
“Often, a dog's bark means he's bored or frustrated, and he wants us to fix it,” she says. “In situations where you're not sure what the cause of the barking is, it's fair to assume your dog would like to interact with you.”
Rather than get angry, simply recognize that this is how dogs express themselves, and focus on your own breath. Most barking is due to some kind of stress. And nobody — not humans or dogs — can think mindfully when they are stressed.
There is a possibility that your pet considers your husband as a resource. Seeing you (or anybody for that matter) near your husband may make your dog feel insecure or uncomfortable, as they might think that their precious resource might just get exhausted or is under threat.
Barks made in different situations sound different and likely have different meanings. They are not a one-size-fits-all vocal signal, and they definitely serve a greater purpose than simply saying “hey” or “look out.” They are also emotionally complex.
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.
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 yelp or very short high-pitched bark: “Ouch!” This is in response to a sudden, unexpected pain. Series of yelps: “I'm hurting!” “I'm really scared” This is in response to severe fear and pain.
They also have a superb knack of sensing things such as illness, emotions, and goodness or evilness. Many dogs show their ability to sense good or evil when they meet a new person. Even if the person puts on an act and makes out that they are good, if they are evil, dogs can work this out with ease.
Your dog might jump on you, lick your face, and they'll definitely wag their tail. Being excited and happy to see you is one way you can be assured they love and miss you. They seek physical contact. This can come in the form of a quick nuzzle, a cuddle, or the famous lean.