barks

Barks were originally used for sounds of alarm. The barks does not tell us whether approacher is friendly or hostile. A dog may bark just as loudly when its owner approaches as when an intruder is breaking in. Once the approacher has been identified the dogs behavior may change. Dog may stop barking and start wagging its tail, or start growling and getting ready to attack.

Types of Bark

Barking in rapid strings of 3 or 4 with pauses in between with midrange pitch:

dog has sensed something is there but has not yet but is not yet identified or close enough to be a threat.

Rapid barking midrange pitch: Basic alarm bark, calling the pack to get ready for action because something is coming close.

Barking still continuous but a bit slower and lower pitch: Dog has sensed an imminent problem. "Intruder is close, hes not friendly get ready to defend yourself."

prolonged string of barks, with moderate to long intervals between each one:

"wuff" "wuff" is anybody there I am lonely and need love!

one or two sharp short barks of high or midrange pitch: means hello there and is usually followed by the typical greeting behavior.

Single, sharp short bark, lower midrange pitch: sound of threat or annoyance means stop that or backoff.

Single sharp short bark higher midrange pitch: surprise bark if repeated 2 or 3 times with short intervals in between it means come look at this!

Stutter Bark midrange pitch: "arr ruff" lets play

Growls:

soft low pitch comes from the chest: beware or backoff! Comes from a confident or dominate animal. If you hear this growl slowely back away.

soft growl not very low pitched seems to come more from the mouth: made by less confident animal means "stay away or keep your distance."

low pitched growl bark: I'm upset and I am ready to fight, but I may need some help over here.

higher midrange pitched growl bark: made by a dog that is not confident "I'm worried or frightened but I will defend myself"

undulated growl: fearful-aggressive sound made by a very unsure dog it means "Im terrified if you come near me I may fight or I may run."

noisy growl medium to higher pitched with teeth hidden: usually part of a play sequence means "This is a good game and I am having fun."

Howls, Yowls, and Baying

yip howl: I'm lonely

Howling: I am here or this is my territory

Bark howl: I am worried and alone why doesn't somebody come help me?

Baying: Follow me I have got a scent

Whines, Squeaks, or Whimpers

soft whimpering: means "I am hurt or I am scared"

moan or moan yodel: Means "I am excited or Lets go!"

single yelp: ouch!

series of yelps: I am hurting or I am really scared!

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.