Animals communicate in different ways and for man’s best friend; this includes making various sounds which can be done in both intentional and unintentional manner.
Want to know if that sigh you heard from your pet means it loves that dog jacket you just bought? Let’s take a look at some dog sounds and try to decode what they mean:
Growls
Dogs growl to warn or threaten others. This kind of sound is usually marked with low rumbling and showing of teeth as a form of aggression. But did you know that they can also use this sound to convey another message? Noisy and medium-pitched growls are also considered to be of the playful kind. Before you approach a growling dog, however, make sure you know how to carefully distinguish a playful growl from a threatening one.
Moans and sighs
When made by your dog, these sounds signify that the animal is in a contented mood. Often, it’s the puppies that make sounds of low-pitched moans, while older dogs are seen usually lying down as they sigh in contentment.
Whines
When your dog whines, it usually means that it is in distress (i.e. something feels physically painful or is causing emotional stress to your pet). Also used interchangeably with a whimper, dogs make this sound to say that they need something or that they are asking for something (e.g. attention or food).
Howls
There are plenty of reasons why dogs howl, so don’t panic yet when they do. Usually it’s one of these reasons - separation anxiety; sickness or injury; or response to an unusual stimulus like sirens.
Just to be on the safe side though, better check with the vet first to rule out sickness and injury. Then, if your dog is okay, then it’s just one of the other two options left. Maybe there’s a siren nearby and it’s causing some sort of distress in the dog or perhaps your dog does not want to be alone or physically too far from you Taking your dog to social pet activities can help calm him down, make him happy and even help him make new friends.
Barks
The most common sound associated with dogs is barking. And the most common reason why they bark is to show that they are not happy with you or with what you are doing. However, barking is not exclusively a show of threat. Much like sarcasm in humans, dogs can also sometimes bark and be happy. In this case, barking is merely used to call your attention (maybe asking for some playtime or some cuddling).
One thing to remember about dogs is that they are not exclusively vocal communicators. If you are still having trouble identifying what your dog is telling you with sounds, then you can also rely on body language to help you get more clues. For example, when your dog barks but the tail continues to wag, then it’s probably barking in anticipation of play, not because it’s ready to attack you. However, if you see the hairs at the back rise will the dog is barking, then it’s probably more of a threatening display than anything else. Stay away!
Knowing what these common sounds mean and why your dog produces them makes it easier for you to communicate and understand your dog.