By Natalie Lester, PetSafe Brand Marketing Specialist
Dogs have many different kinds of barks. Read on to discover what they all mean.
One of the main differences between a dog and a stuffed animal is your dog’s ability to communicate with you. Just as we can form sentences and change the pitch of our voice to mean different things, so can a dog change her bark depending on what she is trying to tell you. K9 Magazine recently described the Top 10 Barks and what they mean. I edited the list to make for easy reading, but if you’re really curious you can read the magazine’s whole post here.
1. Continuous rapid barking at a mid-range pitch: “Call the pack! There is a potential problem! Someone is coming into our territory!”
2. Barking in rapid strings with a few pauses at a mid-range 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.”
4. One or two sharp short barks at a mid-range pitch: “Hello there!”
5. Single sharp short bark at a lower mid-range pitch: “Stop that!”
6. Single sharp short bark at a higher mid-range: “What’s this?” or “Huh?” This is a startled or surprised sound. If it is repeated two or three times its meaning changes to “Come look at this!” alerting the pack to a novel event.
7. Single yelp or very short high-pitched bark: “Ouch!” This is in response to a sudden, unexpected pain.
8. Series of yelps: “I’m hurting!” “I’m really scared” This is in response to severe fear and pain.
Frenchy loves to play so Natalie often hears the ar-ruff (bark #9) from her. What is the most common bark you hear from your pet?
9. Stutter-bark at a mid-range pitch: If a dog’s bark were spelled “ruff,” the stutter-bark would be spelled “ar-ruff.” It means “Let’s play!” and is used to initiate playing behavior.
10. Rising bark – almost a yelp, though not quite that high: Used during a rough-and-tough tumble play time, it means “This is fun!”
Even dogs can “talk” too much. There are several options for helping control her chatter. Exercise and lots of playtime will wear her out and she will talk less as a result. If she continues to talk to you in the wee hours of the night or morning, bark control collars are another great way to deter barking. By monitoring your dog’s bark, these collars automatically let her know when she needs to be quiet. Offered in spray, static, ultrasonic and vibration correction it’s possible to train your dog not to bark, no matter how stubborn she is!
Understanding your dog’s bark and working together to communicate can remove the strain excessive barking may have put on your relationship.
What bark do you hear from your dog most often?
ABOUT NATALIE
As the PetSafe Brand Marketing Specialist, Natalie manages The Paw Print blog and generates other brand related content including public relations and promotions. Before PetSafe, Natalie worked in the local media covering politics, education, and religion. She is a substitute pet owner to a German short-haired pointer named Bedford in Abingdon, VA, Frenchy the schnoodle in Lenoir City, TN, and all the office dogs at PetSafe’s headquarters in Knoxville. As a pet lover, she is currently searching for the perfect puppy to join her home.
I think my dog does the Hello bark the most
Melissa, that’s so great your pet is so great at greeting everyone. Thanks for reading.
3. Prolonged or incessant barking, with moderate to long intervals between each utterance: “Is there anybody there? I’m lonely and need companionship.”
Brenda, Prolonged barking can really be a problem between pets and their owners. I’m sure you spend lots of time with your dog every day, but make sure she is getting a lot of exercise too. That can really help! Have you ever thought of using a bark control collar? Thanks for reading.
SQUIRREL! Let’s look into it!
Margaret, Dogs sure love squirrels – that’s for sure! They are so cute playing outside and chasing them around. We’re sure your dog is just as adorable. Thanks for reading!
Hey ladies, it was tough but we decided to award the bark control collar to Brenda. We hope you’ll continue reading and check back often for more contests. Thanks!
Hi Natalie,
The very vocal female of my pair of Giant Schnauzers, trills, when we approach the turnoff within Stanley Park for their extended weekly runs. Clearly, she anticipates the bliss of her favorite activity. Her Johnny-Come-Lately companion tries to emulate her every trick including the trilling but obviously lacks the “pipes.”
Cheers!
nance
Nancy, Yes. Girls sure like to talk, especially when they are excited.
Remember, it is a good outlet for energy and dogs need to bark sometimes. But, incessant barking can really be a problem. Have you noticed her vocals as an ongoing problem? If so, you may want to consider one of our bark control products.
One of our dogs does the prolonged or incessant barking with intervals. We are RIGHT THERE so he is not lonely. He sometimes does this for no reason OR, mostly when our African Grey makes the noise of brakes on a bus. He will NOT stop………
Krista, We understand all dogs bark for different reasons. These are just the most common understandings. Have you tried any bark control products? Thanks for reading!
One of our dogs does the prolonged incessant barking with perfect spacing. Sometimes he does it for no known reason and others because of the ONE noise our African Grey makes. He will NOT STOP.
definitely are guarding our or their territory. use number 1 and 2 a lot.
Midge, it’s good your dogs know their home and want to protect you. Thanks for reading!
My dog watches tv and in the beginning, he just barked at shows with animals in them but now he barks so much that it is difficult to watch tv. I have a bark collar for him and he barks right through it. HELP
Beverley, what collar do you have? We understand how frustrating incessant barking can me. Email me at social@petsafe.net and we can have one of our Bark Control Specialists help you! Thanks for reading!
Our 10 month old boxer female is the talker. If her mom has one of her bones she barks and looks at me. At least they don’t fight.
Barbara, puppies do like to test the ropes and get their message across. Thanks for reading!
I have 4 Siberian Huskies. They don’t bark but rather howl. They yap or bark when playing. It’s the 2 a.m. group “songs” that are a problem. One starts and gets the other 3 + 2 beagles going. They sing the “song” and all end on the same note. Strange huh? I would love to stop the ring leader before the group gets started.
Jacque, that is unusual! You should record them, we would love to hear!
Huskies are beautiful dogs. We’re sure you are tired of it. Have you tried any Bark Control products? Thanks for reading!
You forgot two: The “airbark”: mouthing a bark while looking right at you, but no real sound. It generally means: “I want…” or, “Pay attention to me!” and the low growl while looking right at you, which generally means impatience or a reminder that dinnertime is getting close.
Jennifer, great additions! We love the airbark!
Thanks for reading.
My Yorkie starts barking and won’t stop when we get into the car. Whenever he wants to play is palying, he gets into a barking jag. He does the same when he wants my husband and I to go to bed. I think it’s called the “Spoiled beyond belief” bark…and it’s ok. I know he’s happy and I wouldn’t trade himfor the world.
Cherie, that’s adorable! I love that he knows when it’s bed time!
All our pets are spoiled, aren’t they? Thanks for reading!
My dog does the Prolonged or incessant barking, with moderate to long intervals between each utterance, but she won’t come near me and backs off when I try to pet her
Dana, oh no! We know barking can be trying on a relationship. Have you considered any of our bark control products? Thanks for reading!
My guy is a demand barker. Prolonged, incessant barking that has said “Play with me, pay attention to me, me, me, me” since he was six weeks old (he’s now 3 yrs). He understands “No bark” but was driving me nuts in the car, until I got the citronella anti-bark collar. Bingo. No more barking. At this point, all I need to do is hold the device up and tell him not to bark and he stops. He’ll still use his “gotta pee” bark and “Oh, goodie, we’re almost there” bark, but that annoying, non-stop barking is no longer a problem. I didn’t have much success with the ultrasonic devices, but every pet responds differently to various stimuli.
I have 2 Pekingese males…1 is 7.5 yrs, the other is 2 yrs. The older rarely barks at all, the younger is #1 & #2 Barking…incessantly! Help! He goes into the backyard and echoes his rapid loud lengthy barking and gets the whole neighborhood involved! If I yell out the door “HUSH” he stops for a moment and starts kicking rocks with his hind legs like a bull!!! He’s obviously quite frustrated at this point while I’m watching him. I go in and he starts incessantly barking again! EEKS!!! Is he broken? :~) Never had this problem with my first Peke. I got them both as young pups. They are also very jealous of each other and both are trying to be the Alpha. I know I’m supposed to be the alpha but I’m a wimp and they know it! They are quite spoiled too.
Annette, dogs do love to bark and it’s good for them to expend their energy. Incessant barking, however, can strain your relationship with your dog – and your neighbors. Have you considered any of our bark control products? Thanks for reading!
I have 6 dogs, a Doberman,a pitbull mix. aboxer mix,a min pin, i shitsui, and a long hair chihuahua. The min pin barks at everything, especially at mealtime, He will not stop until he gets is food. All of the others join in and its so noisy I can’t hear myself think. They also bark whenever they hear anyone near the house. It never stops. I don’t know how the control all of them. Help
Debbie, thanks for reading! It sounds like you have a very full home for animals of all sizes! We can imagine it would get a little noisy. Have you considered or used any of our bark control products?
My Setter will sit by the door when she knows i’m leaving w/o her. She knows when she is going too.
She lifts her head and has this constant high pitched bark, that I can’t get her to stop HELP, neighbors find it less than amusing.
thanks,
Jonathan
Jonathan, Your girl just wants to go with your everywhere – don’t you wish that was possible?
Have you considered using any of our bark control products while you are away? Thanks for reading!
I have an English Springer Spaniel. The only bark we can’t seem to control now is the one when someone knocks or rings the doorbell. He goes crazy thinking that whoever it is is here to see him. He then wants all their attention. How can we get him to stay on his bed wheile we let the guests in and stay there while we visit?
Marcia, I love Springer Spaniels! I have a Boykin Spaniel myself, and she is a sweetheart. Have you considered using a remote trainer to teach her to go to her bed and stay? They can really give you a great communication system with your pet, and enhance your relationship. Thanks for reading!
Pingback: Your Questions About Train Dog Not To Bark At Door | Train My Dogs Myself
Pingback: Your Questions About Train Dog Not To Bark | Train My Dogs Myself
Pingback: How to beat your pet’s winter boredom | PetSafe Blog
I have had my dog – a 5 yo lhasa apso male, adopted from a shelter, for a month now and today while we were playing, he gave me 2 loud barks, for the first time- i couldnt tell what the barks were, as they were new
…
Does the bark collar still work if she is swimming in the lake?
A few of our Bark Control collars are not waterproof, so depending on the model the collar may not need to be submerged. Please email the model number on the collar to CCC3@petsafe.net and we will be happy to provide further information.
My Pom is such a sweet loving little guy, but his separation anxiety – OMG. Absolute chaos and sounds like I am killing him!! For the last week we have been using a bark control collar. The difference is already night and day. It took a lot of soul searching to take this step, but he is calmer, and doesn’t try to bite me on my way out the door any more! I hate when it goes off, but I and my neighbors love the calmness. I don’t have to re-home him thanks to the collar.
My dog does the prolonged incessant barking. . .which I call the Chinese water torture bark. She does it all day, every day, and sometimes even does it through the night. My husband and I give her tons of attention, and we have another dog she plays with, so I don’t understand how she can be lonely. She barks as often as a slow drip from a leaky faucet.