Why do dogs bark and what do different barks mean?
A dog barking is as natural as humans talking. However, understanding different barks can be tricky, not least because different barks can mean different things. The fact that different dogs bark differently, and in different ways, can also be quite confusing. Although you’ll probably recognise most of the barks your own dog makes, it’s useful to be able to interpret different types of bark in different dogs. Below, we cover everything you need to know about why dogs bark!
Why dogs barkAs we’ve touched on, there are several natural reasons why dogs bark. The most fundamental is that dogs communicate by barking; it’s their way of talking to each other and to others.
When dogs bark, they can communicate and express different emotions, just as we communicate and express different emotions through our speech. Dogs might bark if they are scared, happy, angry, bored, or if they just want to say hello.
Common examples include dogs barking at other people or dogs. This could be because they are happy and want to say hello, or because they are scared, stressed, or want to warn their surroundings and their owner. Dogs also often bark when they are bored, to get your attention. So, there are several reasons why dogs bark.
Different types of barkFor us, however, it can be difficult to understand what they mean by their different barks – for most people, dog barking sounds the same whether the bark expresses fear, joy, anger or stress.
Dogs' body language is therefore very important, as it helps us to understand the signals in context. The surroundings, possible needs, situations and environment should also be taken into account when trying to figure out why the dog is barking and what type of bark it is. Although they may sound similar to us humans, dogs are trying to express different emotions.
Calls about physical needsIt's quite common for dogs to bark because they need something, much like babies cry when they're hungry, tired or have a tummy ache. Dogs can also bark when they are hungry, thirsty, need to pee or poop, bored or tired. Make sure your dog has everything it needs to prevent this type of bark.
Environmentally related barksIt’s also common for dogs to bark because of something, or someone, in their environment. This could be anything from other dogs and people to chirping birds, passing cars, windy weather or a falling leaf.
Many times this is because the dog is scared, unsure, surprised, uncomfortable or stressed. Or it might be because the dog is happy, curious or excited. Getting used to this type of environmental barking isn't overly difficult, but it can take a lot of practice. Especially if the dog is scared. Make sure you yourself are calm and collected, and the dog will feel more secure.
Barks that show emotionLast but not least, our dogs may bark because they want to express different emotions. For example, the dog might be bored, stressed, happy, insecure or excited. Emotional outbursts often occur if the dog is under or over-stimulated, but can also be related to the environment and surroundings, as well as needs and wants.
