Sounds of Communication

The sounds that animals use to communicate with each other have uniformity. The sounds are different with each species of course, atleast I would hope there were no barking birds out there. With any one animal type there is a universal language, that includes a number of common sound patterns. This allows for the various groups of canines to understand each other. Also for humans and other animals to gather a great deal of information from the signals used. The basics of the sounds are: Pitch, Duration, and Frequency

Pitch:

• Low pitched sounds usaully indicate threats, anger, and possible aggression.
• Hig pitched sounds mean the opposite.
• A growl is meant to warn someone away
• A dog that is going to attack will not give a vocal signal

signs of attack:

• Dog may growl at first but once it realizes its warning is not being accepted it will stop the growl.
• Its head will slighty lower
• Its curled lip may tremble
• and then a lunge
• and a SNAP!

once the fight has started the growling may return.

In both cases of Fear and Anger sounds no longer serve as communication so they stop.

Duration:

Duration is used to modify the meaning of sounds.

• shorter sound durations are associated with higher intensity fear, pain, or need.

ex: A yelp is a short duration of a whine

• Longer durations become a whimper meaning pleasure, playfulness, or invitation.
• The longer the sound the more likely the dog is making a concious descision about the nature of the signals and the behaviors about to follow.
• A dominate dog will have a low growl, threatening display and will have every intention of standing its ground.
• Growling in short bursts and held briefly indicates that fear is present.

Repition:

• Sounds repeated often at a fast rate indicate excitment adn urgency.
• Sounds spaced out indicated low level of excitment or passing stae of mind.
• Occasional barking indicates mild intrest in something.
• Multiple bursts adn repititionof barking indicates that the dog thinks the situation is important and a possible crisis.

Canine Language

OK so dogs obviously don't speak like humans, but that's not to say they don't have their own language . Dogs don't have the facial flexibility, voice box or degree of voluntary control needed for human speech sounds. Even thought they don't speak our language doesn't mean they cannot understand it. This is called Receptive Language Ability- which pretty much means that they understand the language but they don't have the means to produce the language. They can pick up on subtle nuances in human word pronunciation. An example of when a dog understands a spoken word is when you say "Fred Kennel" and the dog goes into the kennel. You can teach a dog a word by simply saying the word or name of something every time the dog is near it. For example say outside every time you let the dog out side, and pretty soon the dog will associate the word outside with going outside, it is like teaching a toddler their words. Psychologists such as J. Paul Scott suggests that an average dog can distingush nearly 200 spoken human words, which would put the dog at the language ability of an average 2 year old. Then you have some trainers think that dogs can leran more than 300 words. Dogs try to interpret our language and and try to figure out what words are directed at them. So if your dog seems to ignore you they probably aren't they just aren't comprehending that your words are directed at them. So if you want your dog to listen simply say its name, then give the command. When giving a command do not use sentances but use simple words because if you say "come sit and watch tv with me". First of all the dog doesn't know you are talking to it because you did not say the name to get its attention. Second there are to many commands in the sentance to know which one to do. first you would say "Fred Come" then Fred sit" and then those are the comands. Much simpler to get it right then get it wrong, and go through the whole my dog is stupid dog scenario when its really the human being stupid.

And please use simple names that will not become a problem when yelling to get the dogs attention. You dont want to be yelling a name like abracadabra chupracabra when trying to get the dog to come to you. Use something simple, Simple is better. I do realize that dogs have registered names and those names can be long and exhausting, but try to find something simple to call the dog as a "call name". SO you are saying Fred or BO and not wearing yourself out trying to say a name you may not even be able to pronounce.

Also for dogs Body language is a important means of communication, because it can be visually picked up from a distance. The problem with visual language is it can be turned against the user depending on viewing circumstances. Dogs must be able to see you for the visual cue to work.

Please check back often for more information and topics!