Dog Barking Sounds - How to Translate Your Dog's Bark

Dog barking sounds don't mean a lot to many people.because he wants to.
For the most part, they are simply acknowledged asYour pet may bark when you leave him home alone,
a sort of vocal exercises done by dogs, and thoseespecially if he suffers from separation anxiety, and
who aren't fond of these animals may even considerhe will bark his approval once he senses you
barking dogs a loud disturbance. However, they areapproaching the front door after you've been gone
much more than that. Dog barking sounds are actuallythe whole day.
a basic method of communication for dogs.Dogs generally practice two types of barking--the
Apart from that, there hasn't been a detailedwarning bark and the alarm bark.
explanation or better understanding as to why dogsThe warning bark starts out as a rumbling,
bark and how they have managed to grow solow-pitched growl (dog barking sounds that are
different from their ancestor, the wolf. The latterplayful in nature have a higher frequency), which
also barks occasionally, but wolves in general muchgradually increases in volume and intensity as a
prefer howling as a way to communicate. This is afull-blown howl, which is meant to show dominance
far cry from dogs, who appear to have a fondnessand aggression. It is usually employed when in the
for barking as often and as loudly as possible!presence of a perceived threat and a dog may feel
Yet dogs share this fondness for barking with wolfthe need to fight back and defend himself and his
cubs. This fact--along with many other similar physicalterritory.
features they share with dogs, as well as habits likeThe second type, on the other hand, is not meant to
the tendency to be submissive--has led experts tobe hostile. This is merely a dog's way of calling his
theorize on neoteny. Neoteny is a condition whereinmaster's attention, such as a ringing phone, a chiming
adults retain juvenile traits. Therefore, it is said thatdoorbell, or a car pulling up in the driveway. And the
dogs and wild cubs share certain similar aspects ofdog won't stop barking unless his master attends to
behavior.these events.
Another possible explanation could be theYou may find that your dog's barking can grow
phenomenon of domestication itself. When humansincreasingly annoying for you and you will want him
and dogs first got together in a symbiotic relationshipto learn how to bark only when the situation calls for
of mutual benefit, the dog proved to be a mostit. Give your puppy the proper training early on.
convenient and effective alarm system.Petting the dog or soothing him doesn't help curb the
The barking warned them and prepared them againstbarking; it may only reinforce the behavior. Instead,
impending danger from predators, marauders, andgive him a reward him once he's settled down and
other intruders. And so the barking was encouraged,praise him for this. This is reassurance to him that he
even highly prized, which is why some breeds--likeis doing the right thing by being quiet and will likely
hunting dogs, for example--are significantly louder andavoid barking too much as he does not wish to
more vocal than others.displease you.
When and why does a dog bark in the first place?So the next time you're baffled about what your
This can include the expression of an emotioncanine companion is trying to say, listen a little closer,
(loneliness, elation, excitement, stress, fear, etc.);observe how it's behaving, and remember all that
when a dog is feeling hungry or neglected; when heyou've learned about dog barking sounds. This will
hears other dogs barking or sees strange dogshelp pave the way to a better relationship between
approaching; when he hears strange sounds he isyou and your pet pooch.
unaccustomed to; and sometimes, he barks just