Purple and Paws Have you ever noticed that your dog has different barks for different occasions? If you have, good for you for being so observant. If you haven’t, don’t fret. Many owners don’t realize that their pets’ barks can differ wildly. Read on for a lesson in barking basics.
Don’t Yell
When your dog starts barking for no good reason (or what you think is no good reason), it can be tempting to yell at him or her to quiet down. This is a big mistake, however, as when you yell, your dog just thinks you’re joining in the bark session. Calmly tell your dog to be quiet or distract him with a toy or treat.
One or Two Barks
Consider this the “informational” bark. Your dog wants to know what’s going on.
Repetitive Barks
Continuous barking often signals boredom or frustration. This can be a problem with dogs who are left home alone for long periods of time or for dogs who are trying to convey to their owners what they want.
Growls
A common misconception is that growling always means a dog wants you to back away. If you pay careful attention to your dog, however, you’ll notice that her growls can differ in duration and pitch. Confident dogs tend to have lower-pitched growls while scared dogs who aren’t sure what’s going on will emit a more high-pitched growl.
Howls
Howling tends to occur in certain breeds (the Siberian Husky, for example) but any dog can howl if they want to alert other members of their pack who are out of view of a possible danger or if they are in pain.
Whines
When dogs whine, they are issuing a canine call for help and attention.
Barking is part of a dog’s DNA, but if you really listen to how your dog is barking, you can better understand your pup’s wants and needs.
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