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to your dog. Barks, growls, yelps, and howls all carry their own unique language indicators that can take time to learn but are also an important part of understanding your dog's overall behavior. Many people think a bark is a bark is a bark. As you begin to really listen you will hear very distinct differences in the types of vocalizations. Note that a lack of barking or other dog noises can indicate a predatory state, aimed at not alerting the prey. This may also be accompanied by sniffing the air, keeping low, remaining rigid, ears flicking forward and backward to catch sounds, mouth closed and eyes wide open. Equally, no noise can indicate a submissive dog seeking approval. Dogs bark for different reasons, and observation and listening can help you learn to differentiate your dog's distinctive barks in different situations. A loud, high pitched, rapid bark can be either aggressive or territorial. A short, frequent guttural alert bark is aimed at warning the pack (wolf or human) of potential danger. It may be accompanied by snarling or growling. A crisp, short bark is usually a form of greeting from your dog. A high-pitched bark is often delivered when your dog is being playful. A short, high bark is a sign of friendliness, and may be accompanied by whimpering or yapping. A sudden high-pitched, sharp yelp may be an indication that your dog is in pain. A low-pitched, single or spaced out bark is another warning to back off. Growling in a strange dog can be somewhat frightening, but not every growl is aggressive. Your dog may growl as part of play or as an alternative form of verbal communication to barking. You should use caution, however, with any dog growls because even a playing dog that has become too boisterous and carried away in play may still snap at a human who intervenes or gets too close. A low, quiet growl indicates that the subject of the growl needs to back off. It is a sign of assertiveness in a dominant dog. A low growl ending with short bark is the sound made when your dog is responding to threat. It can be a prelude to a snap. A medium growl, leading to or combined with bark indicates that your dog feels nervous, and possibly aggressive. You should proceed with caution. Low sustained growl or 'woofing' is an indication that your dog is feeling either anxious or suspicious. A low murmuring grumble is a lovely sign of contentment. Soft growling is generally play growling; assess it by taking in the context and the general stance of your dog. Play growling will often be accompanied by excited barking. Knowing the different reasons that your dog may howl can help you respond to his/her needs. There are several different kinds of howling that have different meanings. A long, sustained howl indicates separation or loneliness. If your new dog or puppy was separated from other dogs to join your home, he/she may howl at first. Keeping his/her close to you can help him/her feel less lonely. A short howl with rising pitch generally signals that your dog is happy and/or excited. Baying is a hunting signal and can be common in breeds who are bred to hunt, even if your dog has never had any training as a hunting dog. A siren howl is a response to another howl or a sustained noise. You may notice that your dog howls in response to sirens going by your home. If your dog howls at night, he may be howling in response to other dog howling that is out of the range of human hearing. Another type of vocalization given by dogs is whining. Like barking, howling, and growling, whining or whimpering may mean different things in different contexts. Short whines accompanied by short barks indicate that your dog is eager, curious, and excited. Short whimpers are often a sign of fear or anxiety. A low-pitched whine indicates that your dog is mildly anxious or submissive. A persistent, high-pitched whine can be a plea for attention, reflect intense anxiety, or indicate severe discomfort or pain.
Listen Recognize your dog's barks. Interpret your dog's growls. Understand why dogs howl. Learn to differentiate whines and whimpers.