Listen to your dog’s bark. There are many different kinds of barks and it takes a while to understand them. Many people assume that all dog barks are the same, but they are not. Dogs that are very quiet may be in a state of readiness before hunting for food. It is accompanied by sniffing the air, lowered posture, ears flapping back and forth to capture the sound, a closed mouth, and eyes wide open. Another condition, quietness can also indicate submissiveness. Watch carefully to identify different situations where loud, high frequency barks indicate territoriality and aggression. Short, frequent barks indicate a warning of danger to the same species. It may be accompanied by grimacing and growling. A crisp bark indicates a greeting. High-pitched barks indicate pleasure and friendliness. A sudden scream indicates pain. A low bark also indicates a warning. Dog growls Strange dog growls may be intimidating, but not every growl is aggressive. Dogs may also growl in the midst of noise. However, you should be wary because even if he growls because he’s excited to play, he may accidentally bite someone, so don’t get too close. A low growl indicates a warning and asserts territory. A low growl followed by a short bark is a response to a threat, and he may bite. A medium-pitched growl with barking indicates nervousness and possibly aggression, and you should be careful. A low, sustained growl indicates anxiety or suspicion. A low mumble indicates contentment and a mild growl indicates playfulness, to be judged in conjunction with other actions. A playful growl is usually accompanied by an excited bark. Distinguishing between a dog’s wail and whine Like the types of barks described above, there are different types of wails and whines. A short wail with a bark indicates curiosity and excitement. A short whimper indicates fear and nervousness. A low wail indicates anxiety or submission. A sustained high-pitched wail is an attempt to get attention or to indicate pain.
