When you hear a whine, ask yourself, ‘what is my dog wishing for right now?’ Look to body language to help figure it out. Some dogs whine in anticipation while you prepare their food or a treat. Is it dinner time or do they need to go outside? Are they in pain or just unhappy being left alone? Body language, like crouching with head or ears down, could mean pain. Look for clues that can help you decipher what your dog’s whine might mean. Conversely, some dogs will whine in excitement like when greeting you after a long day.

Think of a dog who steps on a burr and whines when they put their foot down. Dogs may also whine when they’re scared (like in a thunderstorm), or if they have separation anxiety and are left alone.ĭogs may also whine when in pain. The high-pitched cry is their way of expressing what they want or letting you know they’re unhappy. A dog might whine for you to take them outside, feed them, or play fetch. Whining or crying is another way dogs, especially puppies, express their needs. A wagging-tailed bark spells joy while a crouched, angry bark with hackles up can mean fear or aggression. High-pitched barks are welcoming, while deep barks may be an alert. Clues like pitch, body language, and tail behavior can help. Once you’re used to your dog’s distinctive bark, it’s easier to understand what they mean. “Many dogs have different barks that their people learn to differentiate over time,” says Nascimento. As most dogs bark to communicate, this is likely among the common dog sounds your pup makes. Or, when the doorbell rings, someone comes home, or even to get your attention to indicate that they want to eat, play, or come in from outside. Your dog may bark when they hear a noise or see something outside the window. Some bark more than others, and some have deep, rumbling barks while others have yappy, high-pitched barks. We’ve all been known a dog who loves to bark.

Determining when dog sounds are communicating pleasure, pain, excitement, or anger is something owners can easily accomplish.

Common ones we all know include barking, growling, whining, or crying. Some dogs vocalize more than others, and many can express several interesting sounds. It’s not as complicated as you might think. Are they barking because they’re happy or are they alerting you to danger? And are they whining because they want you to play or is it because they don’t feel well? Sometimes, owners double as detectives in attempts to decipher the different sounds dogs make. There are lots of different dog sounds our pups use to express how they feel. “If you listen closely, they can.”ĭogs don’t just bark to communicate. “Wouldn’t it be great if our dogs could talk?” says Amanda Nascimento, head of Integrative Veterinary Medicine and Research at NHV Natural Pet. Bloodhounds are known for baying, Siberian Huskies chatter, and Rottweilers purr.

Angry dogs barking sounds