What Are the Various Barking Sound Dogs Make and What Do They Mean?

Dogs bark because they are…

• Marking their Territory

Sound: Medium to low pitch sometimes followed by growling or snarling.
Body: Tail still and slight arched, ears pricked, raised eyebrow, wrinkled forehead and teeth bared.
Situations: Nursing dog lying with her pups or when you (his possession) are faced with a robber.

• Sounding an Alarm

Sound: Lower pitch and become more rapid and louder as intruder gets closer.
Body: Straight back, tail erect but wagged slowly. When intruder gets nearer, tail will remain still, eyes wide and unflinching.
Situation: When the FedEx man arrived at the door or detecting a smoke within the vicinity or fireworks.

• Getting Attention

Sound: Short and evenly, moderate to slightly high pitch. Soft to moderately loud.
Body: Good tail carriage. Relaxed jaws. Straight neck.
Situation: When he needs to be let out to for nature call or showing you his recent price possession, dead rabbit.

Fact: Barking to get attention is common in pampered small dogs when they feel they are being ignored by their owners. If you respond (not ideally), they will stop; otherwise they will continue barking for an annoyingly long time.

• Greeting, Indicating Excitement

Sound: High to very high pitch and rapid. Volume varies.
Body: Tail held up, wagging rapidly, straight back and neck.
Situation: When you come home from work or preparing his meal or about to take him for a walk.

• Isolated or Separation Anxiety

Sound: Short and low pitch, gradually increased volume and usually followed by howling.
Body: Usually in sitting position. Ears folded back. Raised neck when howling.
Situation: When you leave for work or dropping him off at the grooming parlor.

• Bored

Sound: Moderate to lower pitch. Usually no more than four barks.
Body: Relaxed
Situation: After chewing his favorite toy for a long time and cannot find any interesting object to chew on or watching hours of moving cars.

• Letting off Stream or Frustrated
  

Sound: Moderate to lower pitch, moderately loud. Usually one to two barks.
Body: Almost relaxed
Situation: During playtime with other dogs, or with you (only in rare situation).

• Making his Presence Felt (Similar to Getting Attention)

Sound: Short, evenly, moderate to slightly high pitch. Loud, depending his distance away from the subject.
Body: Relaxed straight body, ears drawn back, smooth forehead with occasional wagged tail.
Situation: Signaling his presence with other dogs or you that may not be visible to him – communicating behind a fence or wall.

• Responding to Other Dog

Sound: Short, evenly, moderate to slightly high pitch. Loud, depending his distance away from the subject.
Body: Relaxed straight body, ears drawn back, smooth forehead with occasional wagged tail.
Situation: Communicating with the other dog behind a fence or echoing to the next apartment block.