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.
Frequency. Bursts of barks that are repeated can indicate the urgency or your dog's need for attention.
A higher-pitched dog bark generally indicates a dog that is scared, unsure, or in pain. A lower-pitched dog bark is more threatening and may come from a confident dog, or a very scared dog that is trying to scare you away.
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 that are left alone all day with nothing to do often resort to barking out of boredom. Boredom barkers will bark continuously and may also exorcise their frustration on your flower beds. To tackle boredom barking you should start by ensuring that your dog is receiving enough exercise.
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.
Many blame poor training, hunger and boredom. But, what pet owners may not know is that barking, along with a myriad of other negative dog behaviors, is commonly rooted in anxiety and stress. By treating the anxiety and stress, a calmer dog will exhibit fewer symptoms of anxiety.
A dog can bark for many reasons — to defend his territory, signal a stranger, get attention, say hello, express discomfort or frustration, and more.
Most dogs bark at least a little. Dog barks are not words. But although your dog will never tell you about his parents or the weather or the amazing bone he had yesterday, his barks still communicate important information.
Dogs' barking language, growling, and whining are some of the modes of dog's communication. Dogs living with humans quickly figure out that communicating through scent is useless – we'll never appreciate messages embedded on a fencepost. So our dogs speak through body language because we understand it fairly well.
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. That means there are different barks for different moods, as well.
Ignore the barking
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.
Attention Seeking Bark
Sound: high pitched, short, pauses in between. What is this? Ignore this type of barking. If your dog barks at you for your attention for food or play and you give them what they want, they will continue to bark every time they want your attention… well because it works!
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.
The easiest type of barking to moderate is “demand barking”—when your dog barks in an effort to get you to do something. If your dog barks when they want food, a toy, or belly rubs, that's demand barking—and you can usually cut it down by making sure it does not achieve its desired effect.
Yelling is confusing
A classic example of this is when you yell at your dog to stop barking. The dog focuses on the fact you are yelling rather than the words you are saying. The dog thinks you are barking, too, and will likely only bark louder.
Dogs communicate with us all day long, and whether we know it or not, we're talking right back to them through a variety of verbal and nonverbal cues. In fact, a recent study concluded that there are 19 different signals that dogs use to talk to us.
Staring also occurs when your dog is trying to get your attention or tell you something. For example, if it's time for a potty break, your dog might sit by the door and gawk at you. Or, if your dog is hungry and you're eating, staring can indicate a desire for you to share your food.
The instant your dog pauses, place a tasty treat (cheese, hotdogs, liver snacks) directly in front of his nose and say “quiet.” You are encouraging your dog to be quiet by coupling two incompatible behaviors—it's difficult for a dog to bark while sniffing and eating! Give a few more treats while he is quiet.
The dog word for “hello” is woof (pronounced wuf, wüf, and sometimes wrüf, depending on breed and regional dialect). Facing your dog, say woof in as energetically and friendly a way as possible (tone of voice is very important; the similar-sounding weuf means “Back off!
The law says that, if a domestic animal (usually a dog) barks excessively, an abatement notice (i.e. a notice requesting that they cease the noise) can be given to the dog's owner if the problem can't be resolved directly.
Whining or barking. Pacing. Panting, yawning or drooling.