Why Dog's Bark
It is part of their normal and natural communication and behavior. Dogs can
bark for appropriate and good reasons, such as when strangers approach our
house, they hear an odd noise, or they are herding sheep. Most of us want our
dogs to be "watch dogs" and alert us to anything unusual. But dogs can also bark
inappropriately. In two scientific surveys of dog owners, approximately 1/3 of
them reported their dogs barked excessively. To control barking in our dogs, we
first need to understand why they are barking.
Dogs, as well as wolves use many types of vocalizations to communicate. This communication starts very early in life. Young puppies make a mewing-like sound when they are searching for food or warmth. Louder crying sounds are heard if the puppy is hurt or frustrated. As dogs get older, they make five main classes of sounds: howls, growls, grunts, whines, and barks. Each of these classes of sounds is used in different situations.
Barking is another mode of communication that seems to be more common in dogs than other canine species. Again, this may be the result of human encouragement. Certain breeds have been bred to bark as part of their watchdog or herding duties. Barking is used to alert or warn others and defend a territory, to seek attention or play, to identify oneself.
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