We smile when we feel happy, frown when we are sad, cry when we encounter defeats, jump in times of excitement.
How about dogs?
How do they express themselves? Do they act the same?
Are we receiving the message right, or do we often misunderstand them?
Dogs express themselves in their own way.
They cannot speak to communicate; instead, they use body language to reach out to you.
It is critical to learn about how they present their emotions and understand the messages behind them.
Imagine that you are in a foreign land, and you cannot communicate well with the citizens; it is so frustrating.
It will be easier to address the needs and concerns if you have to know how to connect with the others.
Same as with our dogs.
It will be better to get to know them more so that we will be able to attend to their needs more efficiently.
How to read canine body language
“I am dominant over you”
This is obvious when a dog puts his head over another dog’s back or neck.
The inferior dog might ignore it, but some dislike it, so they do something to let the dominant dog know.
“I am happy even if you are dominating me”
A dominated dog is happy when it returns to play with the other dogs.
When it seems to be uncomfortable, it means that it is unhappy. It will let the dominant dog know.
“I love you. / I respect you”
It is a sign of love, respect, and affection when you notice that a dog lifts a paw in the air.
It is a way for them to express how they appreciate you as their owner.
They also do it with the other dogs to express how they like each other. This is not dominance, but rather love.
“I am excited. / I am alert./ I love this!”
Your dog has its hackles up! This can mean a few things.
First, your dog is excited and alert. It is interested in the present activity that it is doing.
But, some would suggest aggressiveness with this movement.
You must be attentive to the actual message behind the action.
“I am happy; let’s play more!”
How would you know if your dog is happy and enjoying it?
It will do a complete 360 spin. It implies that it is enjoying the moment and is indeed happy!
“I trust you. / I feel relaxed”
It does not mean that it is not happy when you see your dog turning away from the other.
It just means that it trusts the other dog and does not bother to do any other action towards it.
There are a lot more body languages used by dogs.
Some of the body languages don’t need comprehensive explanations for you to understand.
Others require more time to discover and familiarize themselves with it.
They are like humans too.
You would not be able to address the real needs of your dogs if you’re not able to interpret their actions very well. Take time to become more familiar with your dogs.
How to Read Your Dog’s Barks
Since you now know your dog’s body language, the next step is to interpret its barking.
Though your dog won’t talk to you in a language you can understand, you can read both its immediate desires and intentions by knowing what to listen to.
You have to remember first that the dog’s low-pitch indicates a threatening or a dominant stance, and a high-pitch indicates fear and insecurity.
A dog whose vocalization rises and falls is conflicted emotionally. If it is confused about a particular situation, you need to show dominance and guide it to make it feel secure.
*Continuous barking three or four times, with pauses in between in a mid range pitch.
What it is saying: “Assemble to me! I suspect there is something that we should investigate.”
The emotion behind it- In this situation, the dog is more interested than afraid.
*Repetitive barking in a mid range pitch.
What is it saying: “Tell everyone to come!” “Someone is coming!” “We need to do something really fast!”
The emotion behind it- An alarming sort of bark. The dog is excited but not anxious. A person may be coming, or something is about to happen. It is an insistent type of barking.
*Barking in a lower and slower pitch and continuous.
What is it saying: “An intruder or something dangerous is approaching fast.” “Prepare yourself to fend off the attack.”
The emotion behind it- The dog senses an approaching danger and threat. It is a worrying form of alarm barking.
*Solitary barks in a long continuous string, with pauses in between.
What is it saying: “Is there anybody out there that can hear me? I’m lonely.”
The emotion behind it- It is triggered by isolation and confinement.
*Midrange or high sharp barks, one or two times.
What is it saying: “Hello! I can see you.”
The emotion behind it- The dog barks to acknowledge a familiar person.
*Lower midrange bark, usually only once.
What is it saying: “Stop It!” “Back off!”
The emotion behind it- The dog is pissed-off for being disturbed from sleeping, etc.
*Higher pitched and sharp bark, usually only once.
What is it saying: “What happened?” “Huh?”
The emotion behind it- The dog is startled or surprised.
*A deliberate bark, not as sharp as the others, usually only once, and a midrange to upper pitch.
What is it saying: Come here, quick!”
The emotion behind it- This is a learned communication. The dog is trying to signal response from a person, like to get food or to open a door.
*Barking in a stutter. (Ar-ruff!)
What is it saying: “Come on, let’s play!”
The emotion behind it- A play invitation, its hind legs are flat on the ground, and its rear held high.
*Barking rising in pitch.
What is it saying: This is fun! Come with me!”
The emotion behind it- The dog is excited during playtime or anticipating something fun about to happen.
*Single sharp bark in a lower midrange pitch.
What is it saying: “Stop it!” “Back off!”
The emotion behind it- The dog is annoyed when disturbed from sleep, etc.
*A higher-pitched sharp bark, usually only once.
What is it saying: What is this?” “Huh?”
The emotion behind it- The dog is startled or surprised.
*A deliberate single bark, not as previously sharp, in a midrange to upper pitch.
“What is it saying: “Come right here!”
The emotion behind it- A learned communication to signal something from a person like getting food, etc.
*Stutter barking. (Ar-ruff!)
What is it saying: “Come on, let’s play!”
The emotion behind it- The dog is playful, its front legs are flat on the ground, and its rear end is high up.
*A rising bark.
What is it saying: “Let’s go! This is fun!”
The emotion behind it- The dog is excited during playtime or anticipating to play. It wants you to toss the ball, so it can get it.
*Low-pitched and soft bark, coming from the chest.
What is it saying: “Beware!” “Back off!”
The emotion behind it- An annoyed alpha dog wants everyone to stay away.
*A growl. A low pitch and guttural Grrr-ruff!
What is it saying: “I’m angry. If you push me, then I will fight you!” “Pack mates, come together around me for defense!”
The emotion behind it- A dominant dog is a little annoyed. It wants the pack members to come and help.
*A growl-bark in a higher midrange pitch.
What is it saying: “I’m scared of you, but I will fight if I have to!”
The emotion behind it- An unconfident dog that is more worried than threatened but will still fight when forced to.
*Rising and falling growl.
“If you attack, I will fight but might also run.”
An unsure dog that is afraid yet aggressive.
*Yipping and howling, the how is prolonged.
“Is anybody there? I’m lonely.”
The dog feels isolated.
*A prolonged howl.
“This is my domain!” “I can hear your howling!”
The dog is announcing its presence to other dogs and declaring territory. It sounds sad but is still content.
*A barking howl. A growling ruff-ruff-howl.
“I’m alone. Why doesn’t somebody come to me?”
A mournful and lonely dog, wondering why no one responds.
*A prolonged baying.
“Follow me! I’ve got a scent.”
A hunting dog, calling its owner to follow.
*A whining yelp.
“I want and need something…”
The dog is pleading for something.
*A whining but suddenly changes the pitch.
“Let’s go!”
Excitement and anticipation.
*A whimpering bark.
“I’m hurt.” I’m scared.”
A submissive dog is afraid.
*A yodeling moan.
“I’m excited!”
The dog is pleased and excited.
*A short yelp.
“Ouch!”
Response to pain.
*Consecutive yelps.
I’m scared!” I surrender!”
A response to pain and defeat.
*A screaming sound.
“Help!”
A sound of pain and panic.
*A panting sound.
“I’m ready!”
A sound of tense anticipation.
*A sighing sound.
“I’m giving up and I’m going to be sad.”
A signal of an end of something.
