Dogs vocalize in a variety of ways. Each vocalization, whether a bark, howl, growl, whine or whimper, has its intended purpose. Although most of these sounds succeed in drawing attention, many dog owners misread the intent behind them, confusing alarm barks with anxiety attacks, please-don’t-do-that requests with aggressive warnings, and simple communication of needs with nuisance noise. Here are some tips to consider.
Barking
Barking is the most common dog noise. A dog will bark to signal the approach of a strange person, dog or other animal; to ask for play; to show distress; to say hello; to get attention; or to warn off an approaching stranger or critter. Barking has tones, and over time most dog owners learn to tell these tones apart and react appropriately. The alarm bark that says “someone’s coming; come see who it is” is different from the “come-play-with-me” woof, the deep “get-off-my-property” warning, the “I’m-glad-you’re-home” greeting and the “please let me in” request. And each of these is different from the non-stop, inhale-exhale panic bark that signals fright.
It appears that early breeders deliberately “selected for barking” in some breeds. Breed histories and modern dog lore indicate that the Norwegian Elkhound barked to lead the hunter to the cornered moose; livestock guardian dogs barked to alert shepherds to intruders and warn trespassers away from the flock; palace guard dogs barked to warn of invaders and prowlers; hounds bayed their way to the rabbit, raccoon or fox; and terriers barked to mark their progress as they chased their quarry above and below ground.
While the bark may serve many different purposes, often it seems to serve no communication purpose at all, except perhaps to draw attention to body language that invites play, challenge or other social activity, as a sort of “yoo-hoo, I’m over here” call.
Excessive barking
The evolution of barking may only be of academic interest to most dog owners. The fact of barking is an irritation to many and can cause trouble for an otherwise respectable pet. Communities pass noise bylaws against excessive barking, neighbours fume and threaten lawsuits, and landlords hand out eviction notices, all because Fido can’t keep his mouth shut.
These days, every dog owner is well advised to teach one more command beyond the “sit, down, come” basics of a well-mannered pet. To keep the peace in the neighbourhood and avoid anti-dog rules and legislation, every dog must learn “Shhhh!” or “Quiet” to turn off the sound before it causes trouble.
Along with training a dog to stop barking, it is important for owners to respond positively to barking that alerts them to a visitor or passer-by; dogs need to know they are doing their job well before being told to “zip it.” Some dogs that bark excessively suffer from separation anxiety, a condition that causes various anxious behaviours when dogs are left alone. Mild cases can be handled with training; severe cases need long-term behaviour modification.
Howling
Some breeds, and some individual dogs, tend to howl, a sound that may be music to a hound lover’s ears but not necessarily to a city dweller’s. Some of these howlers need a trigger, such as a siren to accompany or another dog to start the chorus, but others need no encouragement at all to throw back their heads and send a mournful song to the full moon, to the strains of a violin, or to some unseen, unheard spirit. Wolves howl to bring the pack together before a hunt and to make contact with other pack members. Even though they do not gather to hunt, some dogs may howl to connect with another being. At times, though, dogs seem to howl out of sheer joy.
Growling
Growling can be used in play, as a warning or threat, or as a defence signal. A dog might growl in mock ferocity when playing tug-of-war or carrying a favourite toy. He might also growl when petted where it hurts, when a child pulls his tail or ears, or when he wants his own way. Not all throaty sounds are growls, however; some dogs have a whole repertoire of sounds to show happiness, including throaty growls or “roars.”
More than any other dog sound, however, growling deserves special attention, because it is also the language of dominance and aggression. The grumble when told to sit or when corrected for knocking over the garbage can, the rumble when your child toddles near his food dish or grabs his tail, the mutter when he’s put in the crate at night: all are warning signs that your dog is trying to work the system to get his own way. It does not matter whether the growls are submissive or dominant, or whether the pet is fearful or bold when making them; if they are ignored, the result is the same: an out-of-control pet. Submissive pets that growl when approached need training to build confidence; dominant pets that do the same need training to learn deference to authority. Both may need the help of a professional trainer or behaviourist.
Other sounds
Along with barking, howling and growling, dogs whine and whimper to get attention or to show pain. Whining, a leftover from the days when the puppy needed his mother’s milk and comfort, can be another ploy to gain the upper paw, because its annoying tone often makes the owner give in. “If Fido wants out of the crate, fine, as long as he stops that incessant noise!” You may grumble under your breath, but if you actually let Fido out of the crate, your problems will multiply.
Some dogs whine out of panic, escalating until they salivate heavily and dribble and spray spit on themselves and their surroundings. These dogs need confidence, not punishment. In the short run, giving in may be the best answer, as long as it is followed by a program, guided by a behaviourist or knowledgeable dog trainer, for building self-reliance.
Adapted from an article by Norma Bennett Woolf. Used by permission. Copyright 2004 Canis Major Publications.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your veterinarian about your own dog.