Deciphering Dog Sounds: Dogs are pretty responsive when expressing pleasure or disappointment. They howl, growl, whine or groan to communicate with their owners about their feelings. As a dog owner, you must’ve wished, at one point, that your dog could talk. In their own language, your dog is conveying a message. To decipher what it means, you must identify the patterns of the sounds or their behavior.
Don’t worry! Interpreting their sounds isn’t as complicated if you observe closely. All you need to be aware of is the duration, pitch, and frequency of their sounds so called Deciphering Dog Sounds, which can tell you whether they are happy, sad, hungry, or something else entirely.
1. Barking
The most common sound that every dog makes to communicate with its owner is barking. Dogs will bark to get your attention, whether it’s the ringing of the doorbell, when someone comes home, or when they are hungry or want to play; dogs will bark to get your attention.
Now to identify barking cues, you need to observe the pitch & tone of the bark and also the dog’s body language. Typically, a high-pitched bark along with waggling of the tail, means he’s happy or welcoming. On the other hand, a deep bark with a tail hackled up means fear, or he’s trying to alert you about something.
2. Snorting
‘Why is my dog snorting?’ We often wonder why our furry friends snort. Sometimes when dogs become too excited, they are filled with emotions. That’s when they gulp in massive amounts of air through their nose, making a snorting sound. This is also known as “reverse sneezing,” where it seems your dog is trying to inhale while sneezing.
Another reason dogs snort or snore in their sleep, could be the reaction to something irritating their nose. To clear their nasal passage, they snort. Often, snorting is accompanied by a couple of sneezes which could indicate your little canine friend is coming down with a cold.
3. Whining or Whimpering
Just like barking, whining or whimpering can also be versatile. It can indicate that your dog wants food, attention, or simply to play with you. If your dog is whining beside her leash, it could mean she wants to go for a walk, for instance.
Whining can also indicate anxiety, fear, or pain. Dogs like German Shepherds show separation anxiety and may whine when left alone for a long time. In addition, it can also be a sign that she is in pain if she seems uncomfortable, has no appetite, and/or has a dramatic behavior change. Follow her body language. If her head and ears are crouched, it may mean she is in pain.
4. Growling or Snarling
When our dogs growl or snarl, we assume they are displaying signs of anger. However, we often fail to figure out why our dog is growling at nothing. Look for clues surrounding your dog. Are they dragging you towards something that’s bothering them? It could be a stranger, an unfamiliar setting, or a smell. Dogs also growl due to their possessive nature and ability to sense potential danger.
On the flip side, growling is also associated with happiness. During playtime, she may snarl and growl to express her happy feelings. However, growling followed by barking may mean that something is not right and she’s trying to get your attention. You can decipher the exact cause when you figure out the context surrounding the growls and snarls.
5. Groaning
A hearty groan or a deep sigh can be a sign of contentment, disappointment or both. Puppies groan with contentment as they settle down on their beds to nap, whereas adult dogs sigh as they lay down on your lap. After a long walk from outside, dogs sighing and groaning means they are happy and satisfied. However, if they bring you the ball several times and you won’t throw it, they may plop down and groan with disappointment.
6. Howling
Since dogs are the domesticated descendants of the wolf, howling is second nature to them. A classic head-back, guttural call, typically, howling is used to communicate with members of their pack, but in this case, it may be used to signal distress or a way to beckon you home. This often happens when they are left alone for long periods.
Howling can also be triggered when they hear a loud siren, especially from ambulances and fire engines. You’ll notice the entire neighborhood’s dogs start howling as the vehicles race by the area.
7. Moaning
We often associate moaning with negative emotions such as sadness or fear. Generally, low-pitched moaning is a sign that your dog is at peace as they nestle down in its bed or on your lap. It is typically a sound that puppies make the most when they are near their mother or the owner.
8. Hacking
If your dog seems to be hacking and coughing, he is probably trying to dislodge something that’s irritating his throat. He may be down with a Kennel cough, a very contagious respiratory illness. These sounds are dry and raspy and should be treated immediately.
So how can you tell if your dog is suffering from kennel cough? Along with a loud, hacking cough, your dog may have a runny nose, discharge from the eyes, and sneezing. If not treated on time, your dog may develop a fever and a loss in appetite, causing tiredness and depression.
9. Purring
Yes, dogs purr too! The throaty “brr” you hear would be more like a rumble in the case of a dog. Dog trainers say this sound signals happiness and contentment, and the sound is usually a mixture of a low rumble, a grumbly growl, and a loud purr.
So how can you decipher the purring sound? The best way to get clues is to do his favorite activities, such as going for a walk, playing ball,or taking a car ride. If you hear pig-like snuffles, that’s what purring is for dogs signaling happiness.
10. Grunting
Grunting may sound negative, but this is a sound a happy dog makes. From getting a good belly rub to waiting for food, dogs grunt to show their pleasure, relief, and joy.
Final Thoughts
Dogs are man’s best friend, and we often wish our dogs could talk. Our little furry friends have their own language, and it pays to find out what they could mean. Most of the time, the sounds are signs of happiness and contentment, but if you are well-informed on their language patterns, you may also be able to address any underlying issue that’s bothering your canine friend.
