We don’t understand all of the reasons dogs bark, we just know it is irritating and we want them to “BE QUIET.” We get angry and yell at them and sometimes we resort to punishing them. Instead of behaving this way we need to take the time to understand what they are trying to tell us.
Like us, dogs have a language and barking is part of that language. With a little understanding and proper training we can solve the barking problem.
Barking can be classified as follows:
1. Excitement Barking
2. Warning Barking
3. Fear Barking
4. Guard Barking
5. Frustration Barking
6. Learned Barking
We have heard all 6 of these barks, but probably didn’t pay much attention to the differences.
Excitement barking is usually a series of high pitched barks and a lot of body movement. The warning bark is a quick low sounding bark. It sounds like the word “woof.” Fear barking is high pitched and like excitement barking it comes in a long series of barks. Unlike excitement barking which sounds happy, fear barking sounds like the dog is becoming hysterical.
Guard barking is easy to recognize. The dog will growl then bark. The barking may be one or two or even three times followed by another growl. We have all heard frustration barking. That’s the one that drives us crazy. It is the endless bark bark bark bark bark bark that seems to go on forever. And of course, learned barking is the bark that your dog does to get your attention. The dog will bark and then turn to look at you knowing that some type action will take place. Most of us have reinforced that behavior unknowingly.
So the next time you think a barking dog is aggressive, dominant, or is just being a pain in the neck don’t get angry, instead take a moment to listen.
