Learn How to Interpret Different Dog Barks And Their Meaning

The most common barks can be described by all who keep dogs. Although you cannot know everything about your dog’s barks, it would be important to learn a few things about them. One bark may have different meanings; you just need to listen and be a little attentive to the dog to understand the meaning.

Combining an understanding of the dog’s body language and what we share on this article, you can get a good idea of what your dog may be up to. If you realize that you are not able to stop the bark no matter what you do, it would be ideal to use bark controls like the bark control collar that limits the dog from barking excessively.

Different types of barks and their meanings

  1. Continuous and rapid barking in a medium pitch – this is known as the classic alarm bark and is the most commonly heard form of barking. Your dog will most probably sound this alarm barking when an intruder comes into its territory thinking the family needs an alert.
  2. One or two short sharp barks in a medium to high pitch – This is the greeting bark that a dog sounds on seeing someone familiar. They are simply saying hello to you.
  3. A stuttered bark in a medium pitch – This is a classic bark that a dog gives when it’s asking if you can play. You will hear this sound when it’s waiting for you to throw a ball or start a game. They always have their legs in front of them and the rear in the air, their mouth is usually open, and the entire body is excited and ready to play.
  4. The growl then a low pitch bark – This growl is followed by a low pitched bark that brings out the sound of an annoyed dog that is confident and ready to fight. It is used by a dog when asking for support from their pack, or when faced by a threat. If you ever hear this bark, there is something you need to check and deal with, or somebody you need to help who is about to get into danger.
  5. The growl and then a high pitch – This is the sound of a scared dog that is not confident in themselves and cannot deal with the situation. They may be growling because they want whatever is happening to stop. This shows the dog is annoyed but scared. In such cases, the dog is unpredictable so anyone not used to the dog should move away, especially if they are the cause of the annoyance.
  6. A very short and a very high pitched yelp – This is a dog’s way of saying ouch! This happens when they have been unexpectedly hurt, or have felt a sharp sudden pain that instantly goes away.
  7. A sequence of short and high pitched yelps – Unlike one single yelp, a long series of yelps shows that a dog is in serious and lengthy pain. This means that it’s really hurting and needs immediate help.