A dog’s barking and other vocal noises can communicate a range of needs, intents and feelings.
Barking is one less-subtle way dogs display fear, and fear-based aggression, stress, boredom, anxiety, manipulative behaviour, but let’s not forget excitement and joy.
Barking is more like human screaming – that too is ’natural’ and sometimes the joyful screams of children playing, but mostly associated with profoundly negative things. We can all tell the difference.
Some situations where barking may be a sign that your dog is anxious, fearful, or distressed are:
- Barking at boundaries – like doorways, fences and gates.
- Barking at noise – traffic, doors opening or people talking
- Barking at people, other dogs, or objects
- Barking as an alarm and ‘territorial’ barking
Dogs that bark when the phone rings or there’s a knock at the door are often ‘alarmed’. It’s a bit like when we scream when we’re shocked or surprised. Of course, this ‘alarm’ is inappropriate because it is not appropriate to be scared or alarmed at a passer-by or shocked by a door bell. The dog’s radar is permanently scanning for ‘threats’. This constant primed state is very stressful.
Sometimes the barking is described as ‘territorial’ – but it’s a form of ‘alarm’ or a response to a perceived threat. It’s inappropriate because it’s not the dog’s territory, it’s yours, and you are the only one who is competent to make any call about what is a threat or not. It’s not the dog’s job. It’s like letting a toddler take care of security!
‘Aggressive’ barking
Barking that people interpret as ‘aggressive’ is usually more about fear. Dogs bark to ‘intimidate’ or make the thing that’s ‘confronting’ them or making them anxious or fearful go away.
Appearing aggressive is often a very successful coping mechanism – for dogs and humans! You’ll often see this when dogs in the park bark at people walking their dogs or cycling by, for example.
Of course, almost nothing a dog comes across is worthy of fear. Most of the time, unfortunately, the owner has unwittingly taught the dog to be afraid of the thing the dog is barking at – typically by shouting, yanking leads, or ‘reassuring’.
Barking as a way to control and manipulate
You’ll very often see barking to control and manipulate your behaviour – the dog barks to get something, to get attention, or to get something quicker, for example.
That’s also a taught behaviour. Barking is rewarded with some form of acknowledgement – usually eye contact, verbal contact or physical contact.
It often starts as a puppy. The puppy makes a noise – usually quite randomly – and the owner reacts in some way. The puppy thinks, “hmmmm whatever it was that I did then, worked!…” and so the downward spiral begins.
Manipulative barking is not appropriate if it’s directed at a person. People are all too commonly manipulated, and don’t realise it. They usually think it’s ‘cute’. It’s not!
Living like that is stressful
Of course, being on alert for any perceived threat or primed for confrontation is really stressful – adrenaline is continuously pumping! Imagine lying awake listening out for every noise thinking it’s a burglar, or feeling that a fight is about to kick off, or being in a permanent job interview!
It’s also very stressful to be put in the position of being in charge, or given a job you are completely unqualified to do. If you’ve ever been out of your depth at work, you’ll know what that feels like.
It’s also pretty stressful living with a dog that may erupt into barking, appear aggressive, or be the source of disputes. You are also primed for unpleasantness, embarrassment or even confrontation with the neighbours or other dog walkers!
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