Have you ever wished you could talk to your dog? They become such a big part of your family and life that being able to know what they’re telling you would be a dream come true. Although you won’t be able to sit down and have a full-blown English conversation with them, there is a way for you to understand what they’re telling you through their barks.
If you’ve had your furry friend long enough, you’ll know that not all the sounds they make are the same, and there’s a reason for that. By learning the different pitches, duration, and frequencies of their barks, you’ll be able to understand what emotions your dog is displaying in any situation. For example, you’ll soon learn that your pup doesn’t only let out noise when they’re excited but also when they’re frightened, lonely, surprised, and lonely.
Below is a simple guide on how you can understand your dog’s different barks. Before you know it, you’ll be able to determine what they want from you, and the bond between you and your furry friend will be stronger than ever.
Pitch
When we talk and listen to other humans, it’s easy to tell what someone is feeling due to their tone of voice. Dog’s may not be able to say words, but they can easily express their emotions through the pitch of their barks, growls, and whimpers. The pitch will be unique to each furry friend, but there tends to be a general rule that can help you determine what they are feeling.
When your pup lets out a high-pitched bark, you’ll generally find that they are happy and looking for you to give them attention and love. For example, you may have found yourself playing with your dog, and when you stop, they let out a big high-pitched yap to tell you they want to keep playing. On the other hand, you’ll find your furry friend letting out a deeper bark when they feel as though they are in danger or uncomfortable. For example, it could be in a situation when they don’t want you, a stranger, or another dog near them and is accompanied by growling.
By differentiating the two pitches, you can make introductions between your dog and someone new much more manageable. If they are letting off high-pitched barks or none at all, then they are most likely happy to be approached. However, when they are growling with low-pitched barks, you may want to be more careful.
Duration
Another way to understand how your dog is feeling is to pay special attention to the duration of each bark. You can find out whether they are barking to try and tell you something or purely because they are caught by surprise.
If you find that your dog is letting out a prolonged bark that sounds a little bit like howling, then it’s easy to conclude that there is an intention behind it, and they are trying to tell you something. In some cases, it could mean that your pup is ready to fight if faced with another dog, so it’s best to stay alert, not aggravate them even further and try to distract them. On the other hand, a quick ‘yip’ could indicate that they’ve been surprised. This typically happens if they are in sudden pain and need you to quickly give them some love or help make it better.
Frequency
How often your dog is barking is a strong indicator of how excited they are. If they let off one bark, whether long or short, and then stop, it was likely at random. However, when you hear a repetitive bark at a fast pace, your furry friend is obviously very excited (or sometimes stressed), and they want you to know this.
For example, if your pup hears another dog bark and they bark back lazily and then stop, it’s just their way of communicating, and they aren’t particularly interested in what’s happening. All this behavior indicates is that your pup is paying attention to the noises around them. However, if you’ve just arrived home and they are constantly barking and jumping up and down, they’re telling you they are happy to see you, and you’ve been missed.
You may think listening to frequency is not as important as the other two, but it can sometimes help you determine whether there’s a threat around. For example, if they let off a few barks at an external sound that you hadn’t heard before, then you can determine that something is nearby and go explore further.
You’ve now got some valuable insights into how your dog communicates, and you’ll be able to understand better what they’re telling you. As an owner, you’ll be able to determine what each bark means better than anyone else because you spend so much time together. By paying close attention, you’ll soon realize how many different barks your furry friend really has, and your dream of being able to communicate with your dog can come true.