Have you ever listened to your dog and wondered, "What are you trying to say?" The sounds your dog makes are used to convey a message to you or others around them. Barking is the most obvious mode of dog communication, but there are lots of other dog noises used to express how they feel.

To help you better understand what your dog is saying to you, let's take a closer look at dog communication.

Why does my dog make noises?

Dogs use a range of sounds to communicate with others. They're a way to express excitement, distress, get attention, or defend their territory.

Some dog noises are sounds that other canids, like wolves, use to communicate with the rest of the pack when hunting, moving in darkness, or when they have been separated from their mothers or the rest of the group.

Other sounds, such as barking, have evolved due to domestication. Barking is not a behaviour seen in other members of the canid family. 

What are dog noises telling me?

There are many different sounds that dogs use to communicate, such as barking, crying, howling and whimpering. Understanding your dog's noises is essential for their care, as it helps you know how they are feeling.

When listening to your dog's vocalisations, you'll also need to pay attention to visual signals and body language, as they can help you understand whether your dog is feeling happy, scared, or nervous.

Visual signalling includes:

• Facial expression: ears, eyes, and mouth.
• Body language: stance, head, roll over, piloerection (hackles up).
• Tail position and movement

What does my dog's barking mean?

Barking is one of the most common dog noises used for communication. Dogs bark to indicate happiness, fear, anger, or frustration, so it's important to be able to differentiate between the different types of barks.

When deciphering your dog's message, pay attention to the pitch, duration, and frequency, as well as their body language and the situation.

• Nervous dog barking: A dog barking noise that rises in pitch is often associated with fear or anxiety.
• Bored dog barking: A monotonous pattern of barking signifies an under-stimulated dog seeking attention.
• Sounding the alarm: Fast, loud, repetitive bursts of barking are an alert to a possible threat, like when the postman is approaching the door.
• Happy dog barking: If you return home to a dog yapping and wagging its tail, it means it's happy to see you.
• Aggressive dog barking: If your dog has a low-pitched bark and a crouched body posture with their hackles up, this may indicate fear and aggression.

Every dog's bark is different; some are naturally yappy, and others have low rumbling barks. So, you'll need to get used to your dog's normal pitch before you notice changes.

Why is my dog crying?

If your dog is whimpering, whining, or yelping, it can be a sign of excitement, pain, anxiety, high arousal, or a need to toilet. They can also be displayed if your dog is suffering from separation anxiety.

Dog whimpering and whining

When dogs whine and whimper, they can sound like a crying dog. A low, slow whine is usually a sign of pain or fear, whereas a high-pitched whine is more common for excitement and attention seeking. Whining is common in puppies as a way to express their needs.

Dog yelping

Yelps are often expressed when a dog experiences pain, whether through injury or during interaction with another animal or person. They yelp to tell you to stop the action and minimise further damage, like if they're play-fighting with a littermate. Sometimes a dog will yelp in response to association, anticipating pain from a previous experience.

If your dog is making sad noises and you notice changes in their behaviour, it's best to get them checked by a vet.

Older dog noises

If your older dog is making more noises than usual, it's best to take them to see their vet, as there may be an underlying problem causing them to be more vocal.

Age-related conditions like arthritis will cause pain without a visible cause, turning your usual happy chap into a grumpy dog. They may growl when approached, or they may sound like your dog is crying when touched.

Does a dog growling always mean aggression?

Dog growling is associated with anger and can be seen as a threat, but it can also be heard when a dog is playing and happy. Look to your dog's body language to understand what they're trying to tell you.

A growl or snarl accompanied by raised hackles, erect ears, and a stiff posture is a sign of aggression. A play growl is usually a lower and softer rumbling noise. If your dog lets out a low rumbling sound when happy, it is often called dog purring.

Why does my dog howl?

Dog howling is a way to communicate between separated individuals or to other groups. It can be triggered by hearing another dog's howl or by hearing a high-pitched sound.

It may also be displayed when a dog experiences separation anxiety and is attempting to reconnect with its owner.

Some dogs like to sing along to music, which to us just sounds like howling! If your dog starts howling, it should stop when the noise they hear stops or when they are reunited with the person they are missing.

Why try to understand your dog's noises?

As a dog owner, it's important to understand your dog's noises so you know what your furry friend is trying to tell you.

Better communication will strengthen your bond, alert you to problems sooner, like dog pain or a potential threat, and it will make training easier.

When figuring out what your dog is trying to say, it's important to listen to their sounds, pay attention to their body language, and consider the situation. It may sound complicated, but you'll be talking doggy language in no time!

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis – www.vetlexicon.com/canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.