Ever wondered why your dog is barking, or why they sometimes bark in different ways? Everything you ever wanted to know about barking will be covered in this article.
Why Do Dogs Bark?
The same way people talk to interact with each other, dogs bark. When a dog barks, they are usually trying to tell you something, expressing an emotion or trying to communicate with other dogs. Not all dogs are the same, and when they come in contact with each other, they will usually act differently. Some will wag their tails, while others will bark. Dogs will also bark when they are playing or running around. Unfortunately we can not understand what dogs are saying or trying to communicate when they are barking, but it is obvious they are barking with clear intent and emotion.
Different Reasons for Dogs Barking
Just like when a baby is crying, they are crying for a reason, and you may not know why. They may be hungry, have to go to the bathroom or just unhappy. These same attributes can be made for your dog as well.
- Often times a dog will bark or kick the door if they want to go to the bathroom or want to be taken out on a walk. This is their way of communicating with you that they have to go out.
- Sometimes you may think a dog is barking for no reason at all, but there is almost always a reason. Make sure to keep an eye on your dog and what they are barking at, or where. This will help you determine if there is something you can do for the dog and to make them stop barking.
- If you have a dog that is chained outside or wants to come in, you may find they are barking non-stop. This is another way of communicating and trying to get your attention, usually because they are lonely or waiting on you to take action, whether this means to open the door, or just spend some time with them.
What Does Barking Mean?
It really doesn’t matter what type of dog you have, most dogs are going to bark, and some more than others. What they are trying to tell you is always the hardest part to try and figure out. K9 Magazine has created their own list of ten different barks and what dogs are trying to tell you. We have listed a few of them below, but you can view the full list here.
1. Continuous rapid barking, midrange pitch: “Call the pack! There is a potential problem! Someone is coming into our territory!” Continuous barking but a bit slower and pitched lower: “The intruder [or danger] is very close. Get ready to defend yourself!”
2. Barking in rapid strings of three or four with pauses in between, midrange pitch: “I suspect that there may be a problem or an intruder near our territory. I think that the leader of the pack should look into it.”
3. Prolonged or incessant barking, with moderate to long intervals between each utterance: “Is there anybody there? I’m lonely and need companionship.” This is most often the response to confinement or being left alone for long periods of time.
