Anyone that has been around dogs knows that they have a very different set of barks, howls, whines and vocalizations to indicate their mood or level of excitement and interest in something. While some breeds are much more vocal that others, typically all dogs will use sounds as part of a social communication with other dogs, animals and especially with humans.

Some of the more subtle sounds and variations on a bark that a dog will use to communicate their feelings to humans and other dogs fall into basically two different categories. These include happy sounds and unhappy sounds or sounds to indicate displeasure.

HAPPY SOUNDS

Happy sounds from your dog or puppy tend to be higher pitched and shorter in duration than unhappy sounds. One exception to this rule is a moaning or deep throat type grumbling sound that is usually a sign of contentment and feeling extra good about something. Many dogs will use this sound when they are getting their tummy scratched or are having their ears rubbed just the right way.

Other happy sounds include a sort of a soft sigh or a somewhat forceful expulsion of air through the nose. Usually the dog does this when he or she is resting comfortably, similar to what humans do when relaxing after a wonderful dinner.

Panting is also a sign of excitement and happiness. For hound breeds and hound crosses the panting may also be accompanied by a baying noise, a long drawn out bark that ends in a sort of a higher pitched "ooo" sound. This baying is used to signal that they are on a hunt, eager to get going or just to say that they are ready for action. Howling can also indicate a confident dog that is calling out to the world and is a common communication sound in many breeds.

UNHAPPY SOUNDS

Vocalizations to express displeasure are just as common as those that signal happiness and contentment. Typically unhappy sounds tend to be more irritating to the human ear and are often a real problem for dogs that engage in these behaviors. One of the most common unhappy vocalizations is whining. Whining may have a legitimate reason such as indicating hunger, thirst or the need to go outside, but it can also signal boredom, feeling unappreciated or unnoticed or even to indicate that the dog is not getting something he or she wants. Whimpering is a sign of fear or pain and is not typically used for any other reason.

Whining can then escalate into a bark/howl combination that is usually a series of short barks ending in a drawn out howl. This typically indicates loneliness or a feeling of being abandoned by the dog. A real mournful howl is very reminiscent of wolf and coyote howls.

Finally a sigh can also indicate frustration if vocalized during a training session or when being given a command. Since different vocalizations sound slightly different between breeds it is important to carefully monitor what your dog is trying to communicate to effectively work with them and understand what they are telling you.

Article by Meghan Goodall of
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