Why Do Dogs Bark

Recent research shows that dog domestication began between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago. During this period, dogs that received proper training have learned to understand a large number of vocabulary, complex sentences, and even more than a thousand words. Just like human beings, dogs use both verbal and non verbal cues to communicate. For dogs, barking is a complete normal behavior, it’s one of the most effective ways to communicate with their owners.

Dogs usually express their different kinds of feelings through barking. Therefore, pet owners need to connect a dog’s verbal cues with non verbal cues(such as body language) to fully understand how the dog is expressing itself.

7 Reasons Why Dogs Bark

In order to help you understand what your dog might be expressing, there listed the most common reasons dogs bark:

1.Excitement Barks

Does your dog bark when you come home or when they hear the familiar sound of a leash? All these are excitement barks. In fact, barking and howling are two ways dogs express their excitement. These barks are usually higher or lower-pitched, and dogs will bark once or twice intermittently until the excitement wears off. Dogs usually wag their tails while barking and keep an alert but happy posture (ears erect, head raised) . They also run in circles or stamp their feet rapidly. This shows that they are happy and tells you it’s time to go.

2.Attention- and Food-Seeking Barks

When a dog wants to get your attention, they may bark at you. This is usually a series of single barks with pauses in between. Depending on the breed and specific situation, they may be asking you to take them for a walk or to feed them. Normally, their body language are less active and more relax. Their tails may be erect or wiggling, and their ears may hang naturally down or stand up. However, you should be careful about this type of barking. For example, if they bark to get treats and get what they want, they will think that barking is effective. Then your dog may keep barking to get treats.

3.Barking From Boredom

When your dogs is bored, they may bark to get your attention or try to play with you. If your dog isn't getting the mental and physical stimulation they need, they may exhibit destructive behavior. Daily walks, playing with puzzle toys, enjoying high-quality companionship, and dog daycare can help them relieve boredom. Some smart dogs will carry an item as a clear cue, such as a ball or leash. These playful barks are usually the kind of "harrr-ruff" barks you hear your dog making. The sound is usually lower-pitched and only made once. Similar to getting attention, your dog’s postures may keep neutral, including ears pulled back and tail held straight. In some situations, your dog may lower their body and assume a playful lunge (front legs down, hindquarters up) to indicate that they are ready to play.

4.Fear, Anxiety, or Territorial Barking

Dogs usually bark defensively when faced with obvious stimulus, such as a stranger getting close to your home, other dogs nearby, or being trapped in a place they cannot escape from. These barks are usually low-pitched and sometimes accompanied by a growl. The barking is also continuous. It’s like the dog is saying, “Hey, what’s this? We need to be prepared. ” For anxious or scared dogs, their body languages usually include a tail is tucked between their legs, the fur on the back stands up, and the head is lowered. If it’s territorial barking, their postures may include erect ears and head, and a straight tail. This refers to the dog shows that they are larger and may bite. In both scenarios, the dog’s body will be tense.

5.Pain Barking

Dogs will bark when they are in pain. The aim is to send signals to their pack for help, or to show that a certain behavior is causing pain and needs to stop. This type of barking usually occurs when they are accidentally bumped or attacked by other animals. The tone of bark may be higher, usually intermittent, or gradually reduce as the barking continues. If your dog makes this barking sound when you are touching or petting them, they may feel pain or anticipate the touching will bring pain. In this situation, you need to take your dog to visit vet and check what the problem is.

6.Reactive or Surprise Barking

This is often a singular bark, but it may be followed by a series of barks. The tone of this bark is usually higher, so that to express surprise. Just like humans, this is mostly an unconscious reaction to fright or fear. If you walk close to a dog with poor concentration or hearing, or if the dog thinks there are something quickly move in the grass, you may hear this kind of bark. This bark may seem out of control, and dogs’ body postures are different, because they may not prepare to bark in the first place.

7.Barking Due to Canine Dementia

Some older dogs will bark at night or at non-existent objects. This may be signs of cognitive impairment in older dogs. This type of barking seems to have no clear reason and may stop on their own without any obvious reasons. If you find your older dog barking at a corner or wall at night, take them to vist the vet and consult if there is ways to make them more comfortable.