Vocalization in dogs is a natural behavior and a cornerstone of their ability to communicate. There are many different types of vocalizations in dogs, including barking, growling, yelping, whining, and howling. All of these sounds have roots in the species’ background, and to understand what your dog is trying to communicate, we must examine each of these sounds as they occur in nature.
As puppies, whining is an instinctive response to discomfort, such as when they are cold, hungry, or have other needs. This whining alerts the mother that attention is needed, and the puppy is rewarded for its instinctual cry by having its needs met. In this way, the puppy quickly learns that whining will achieve its desired purpose.
As the puppy grows and becomes part of a new home, it faces the reality that there is no mother to come and help when it whines. Upset over not having its needs immediately attended to, the puppy will experiment with other vocalizations, such as whimpering, howling, barking, and crying, to try and elicit a response. Your reaction to the puppy’s behavior will influence its vocal habits throughout its life. If whining continues to elicit attention, the puppy will continue to whine whenever it feels neglected.
Barking is one of the most common—and often the most annoying—vocalizations of dogs. Wolves in the wild are believed to bark for two primary reasons: as an alarm to warn other pack members of danger, and as a threat to ward off intruders. Unfortunately, domesticated dogs bark for a variety of reasons, some of which may not always be apparent to us.
Contrary to the long-standing belief that barking is merely a response to boredom, current research shows that barking is actually a specific form of communication among dogs, along with body language and olfactory (smell) signals. By paying close attention to your dog’s barking, you may notice subtle differences in the tone and timbre of the sounds, each carrying a different message.
Warning Barks
Warning barks are the most common type of barking and are often encouraged by dog owners. These barks are meant to alert others to potential danger or a suspicious presence. As a person approaches, warning barks may become more rapid and intense. Aggressive barks are similar to warning barks but are generally lower in pitch and accompanied by growling.
A dog left outside will often express its frustration with isolation barks. These barks are usually higher-pitched than warning barks and tend to occur as single, increasingly insistent barks, calling attention to their situation, as if saying: “Remember me? I’m OUT HERE!”
Additionally, dogs use different barks to express emotions such as playfulness, boredom, fear, or anxiety. While all of these are part of normal behavior, some dogs are more prone to frequent and excessive barking, which can sometimes lead to serious training issues.
While growling is commonly associated with aggression, it can also occur during play and in other situations. It is important to understand your dog’s body language in order to interpret the meaning of its growls. Dogs that are growling aggressively often stare, snarl their upper lip, and may back into a corner. In contrast, dogs that are play-growling will be wagging their tail, jumping around, and crouching in a playful manner to indicate they are ready to engage.
Another vocalization with roots in the undomesticated life of dogs is howling. In the wild, wolves howl to communicate the boundaries of their pack, locate missing members, or attract mates. Domesticated dogs typically howl in response to boredom, although many will also howl in reaction to certain sounds, such as ambulance sirens. Some breeds, like Beagles and Huskies, are more likely to be habitual howlers.
Yelps and grunts are also common vocalizations in dogs, but they usually signal opposite emotions. A yelp may be heard when a dog is startled or experiences pain, such as stepping on their tail. Since dogs typically don’t vocalize when mildly uncomfortable, continued yelping may indicate significant pain, and a veterinarian should be consulted. On the other hand, grunts typically indicate pleasure or happiness, such as when a dog is being petted or scratched. Dogs may also grunt when greeting each other.
Once considered a nuisance, careful attention to the various vocalizations of dogs reveals their true purpose as a form of communication. While some dogs may vocalize excessively, many of the everyday sounds your dog makes are simply part of its natural method of communication.
