How many sounds can a dog make to communicate?

HOW TO UNDERSTAND A DOG THROUGH THEIR SOUNDS?

Approximate reading time: 7 minutes

Surely on more than one occasion you have wished that your pet could talk so that you could understand them better. And the fact is that although dogs have different ways of communicating, the truth is that sometimes it is difficult for us to understand them, since, obviously, we do not speak the same “language”. In addition to their rich body language, dogs often express their emotions through all kinds of sounds. Identifying them and knowing in which situations they occur will help us decipher what our pet is trying to tell us.

Index of contents

1. What are the most common sounds made by dogs?

• Barking

• Whining

• Growling

• Howling

• Snoring

• Panting

• Sighing

• Yelping

• Coughing/sneezing

2. What sounds made by my dog should I be concerned about?

What are the most common sounds made by dogs?

Dogs are very intelligent animals that experience all kinds of emotions. To communicate these, they emit sounds that are very different from each other but which, at the same time, can mean several things. To identify what our pet is telling us through their sounds, it is important that we pay attention to the tone in which they emit them and to their body language. Normally, high-pitched sounds are associated with a state of fear, while low-pitched sounds are usually threatening. Frequency is also an aspect to bear in mind, as a single bark is not the same as one after another. In the second case, our dog is desperately trying to get our attention, so the message they want to give us is probably very important. But, as well as barking, there are many other sounds that come out of our dogs' mouths. Let's review the most common ones!

• Barking

The most frequent sound and one that is familiar to everyone is the bark. All dogs produce it from approximately three weeks of age, although its frequency can vary according to the age, breed and character of the animal. A bark can have many different meanings, although it is normally a call for attention. With this warning, our dog may be expressing fear, anxiety, alertness, but also joy or excitement. If you know your dog well, something you will achieve by observing them and interacting with them frequently, you will be able to identify the meaning of their barks much better. You can also look at the position of their teeth, their back and, in short, the signals that indicate a tense or threatening body posture, to elucidate the real reason for the barks.

• Moaning

Moaning or crying is a high-pitched, repetitive sound that dogs, especially puppies, use to try to get attention. They produce it in situations of stress or nervousness, for example, if we leave the house and they are left alone, or out of submission, when we scold them for something they have done wrong. A dog can also whine or whimper in pain, so if these sounds don't stop, consider taking your pet to the vet, as they could be sick.

• Growling

Another classic sound that dogs usually surprise us with is the growl. A dog usually growls when they are angry. It is a defensive sound, a warning signal that is usually accompanied by the display of teeth. It expresses a turning point in which the animal prepares to attack or defend themself.

However, dogs can also growl to protect themselves if they are afraid, or to protect their toys, food or their owners. Although growls do not always express negative emotions: some dogs make these peculiar sounds when playing with other dogs, especially puppies. Growls in a lower tone can be taken as happiness, when the animal sleeps peacefully or feels satisfied and relaxed.

• Howling

Dogs do not usually howl often, but when they do, this sound can come as a big surprise to their owners. Howling is an ancient form of communication that dogs inherited from their wolf ancestors. These wild animals used it to communicate with their pack. It is not known exactly why dogs still howl, but it seems to have to do with marking their territory. Not all dogs howl and those that do usually respond to the howling of other dogs. In any case, the howling of dogs expresses a high intensity of emotion.

• Snoring

In most cases, it is not unusual for a dog to snore while sleeping. It means that they are very comfortable resting and that their breathing is very deep. However, if the snoring is constant or very loud, we recommend that you take your pet to a veterinary check-up to rule out any condition.

• Gasping

Surely you have heard your dog pant when they are hot. However, under normal conditions, a sudden pant or forceful expulsion of air can mean that your dog is in a good mood. This characteristic sound that your dog makes when he plays expresses joy and fun, so if your dog makes one of these panting noises, you can count yourself lucky. You make your furry friend very happy!

• Sighing

Sometimes your dog will lie on the floor and let out a long, intense sigh. Do you know what it means? Your pet may sigh for various reasons. They may simply be tired after a long walk or an intense play session, although they could also be expressing satisfaction or disappointment and frustration. Once again, observing the position of the body, the ears and the expression in the eyes will give you more clues as to what your dog is trying to convey with his sigh.

• Whine

A whine in dogs is a high-pitched, brief cry that usually occurs when two puppies are playing. But adult dogs can also whine when they feel very threatened in a stressful situation. Extremely fearful or traumatised dogs will often whine if a stranger tries to touch them. If your dog makes this sound, try to give them space and let them retreat to a safe place. When they are calmer, you can continue to work with them using exposure techniques to help them overcome their fears.

• Coughing/sneezing

Well, yes, just like people, dogs sneeze and cough from time to time. It is a natural sound that should not be given any more importance as long as it happens occasionally. Your dog may be coughing because they have swallowed some dust or a small insect. But if your pet coughs or sneezes frequently, you should take them to the vet to have their health checked. Some heart and lung diseases can cause this symptom.

What sounds from my dog should I be concerned about?

Dogs that live with humans can make all kinds of sounds to communicate with them. Barking is the most common but, as we have seen, there are many more. Although canine communication through sound does not have as many nuances and details as our spoken language, if you pay enough attention to your dog, you will be able to get to know them better and better and detect the messages they send you through their barking, crying or growling.

Don't forget that dogs' sounds can also express that something is wrong with them. If your dog barks non-stop, cries, coughs or frequently makes any sound that worries you, consult a vet. There are diseases that could be causing your dog to “talk” too much, but also some behavioural problems such as anxiety, separation stress or obsessive disorders, among others.

Some dogs are more “talkative” than others, so if your dog doesn't usually make a lot of sounds, don't worry, it's normal. Each animal has its own character and tendencies, such as the Australian Cobberdog, which is a dog with little tendency to bark. It is not usually their way of communicating, nor do they use barking as a means of alerting or attracting attention.

Now that you have a better idea of all the sounds your pet makes in their day-to-day life, don't forget to give them your full attention and meet their needs to make them a happy and healthy dog.