What Barking Dogs are Saying

Most of us probably think dogs bark for our benefit. They warn us of intruders and let us know when they are happy. And for the most part, our symbiotic relationship with them would confirm that theory. When my dogs bark at something, I am alerted to check things out, especially if the bark is different from the norm. I can discern different dog barks, but perhaps not as keenly as dogs can detect these pitch changes in each other. They will stop barking if I tell them that everything is okay.

Studies show though that dogs also bark to communicate with each other and that dogs — even dogs listening to recorded barks of other dogs from half way around the world — can pick up on a bark that is stressed or upset , causing the listening dog’s heart rate to accelerate. If a dog is feeling fear or aggression when barking that emotion is transferred through the bark to other dogs, even in a recording.

What got me thinking about barking dogs this morning is that I live near a hospital and hear approaching sirens all the time. Several dogs in my neighborhood begin wailing when they hear the sirens. When that happens, it triggers some of the dogs in the neighborhood to wail. My dog, Brinkley, who never wailed before, now joins in the chorus with a long, mournful wail that is nothing if not surprising. The dogs in my friend’s neighborhood do the same thing. It just makes me wonder, what they are picking up on when they do this and what are they trying to say?

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