Dogs communicate through verbal communication, just like people. So, what do the different dog barks mean? Not all dogs’ barks are the same, and knowing the difference is important. Let’s talk about it. So, dogs can have many kinds of barks. Alarm barks, playful barks, territorial, anxious, attention-seeking, and even boredom barks1
An alarm or alerting bark is often the bark that you’ll hear when walking up to a gate1. An alert bark usually tells the owner that someone is at their house1. Some dogs sound jarring with alarm barks. My former dog would never hurt anyone, but her alarm bark sounded scary to people. Yet when you walked up to her, she was friendly. So you can never truly know if a dog is aggressive just from a bark. This is why you should never meet a dog without the owner.
A playful bark means the dog wants to play or go for a walk1. A playful bark is usually high-pitched1. Sometimes the dog will whine with excitement1. I knew a dog who you couldn’t say the word walk around. When she heard the word “walk”, she would immediately start barking to go outside. It happens when they are playing with a ball or playing outside as well1. You may also hear it when the dog is playing with other dogs1.
Territorial barks are harsher than alarm barks because the dog is protecting its home from what it perceives to be an intruder1. These dogs are territorial over their owners or house to the point where the barks often coincide with aggressive body language1. So, this is another reason to never go inside someone’s gate or property without the owner present.
An anxious bark is when a dog is worried about something1. It can be inside or outside. Sometimes it can be another dog or an upsetting event. Your dog might look out the window and see the mailman, anxiously whining to go outside. It can be a common side effect of separation anxiety2. Anxious barks can be a sign of general anxiety. If it is, then you should find the cause and help your dog overcome their fears.
Attention-seeking barks are what they sound like1. The dog wants your attention, general attention, and wants it now at that moment. These barks are constant and sharp, directed at who or what they want attention from 1. This behavior can be a problem, especially if you live in a house with thin walls. A way to help prevent this is to dedicate time to your dog and figure out how to find a workaround for these behaviors2. For example, giving them enough attention2. However, some dogs are very needy and need constant companionship2. Investing in toys may help these dogs2.
Boredom barks are when your dog is bored and has nothing to do1. This most often happens when people are out all day and don’t give their dog something to do to combat their boredom1. Boredom barking may seem harmless3. But it can lead to naughty behavior3. This bad behavior may include chewing on couch cushions or digging at your carpet3.To prevent this, give them toys and activities during day3. This is especially true when their human is away all day.
Overall, to understand our dogs, we should seek to understand their barks. Understanding these barks is the key to helping our dogs live their best lives. When dogs are understood, we can help them find their needs1. And when we humans help our dogs find what they need, our dogs are happier and healthier.
References:
- Team, Good Life. 2023. “6 Types of Dog Barks and What They Really Mean | Good Life Inc.” Good Life Inc. November 21, 2023. https://goodlifeinc.com/6-types-of-dog-barks/
2. Gibeault, Stephanie, MSc, CPDT Updated: Jun 20, 2023. | 4 Minutes Updated: Jun 20, and 2023 | 4 Minutes. n.d. “How to Identify and Stop Attention Seeking Behavior in Dogs.” American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/attention-seeking-behaviors-in-dogs/
3. Bark Busters. 2022. “Tips & Advice.” BarkBusters.com. Bark Busters. August 11, 2022. https://www.barkbusters.com/news/destructive-behaviors-chewing-digging
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