Dog barking

The way dogs communicate their intentions through barking is very simple, and these barks also play a supporting role in body language. The pitch of the sound conveys intent and can vary from bass to sharp treble. In dog language, barking is primarily a warning.

Sounding an alarm

A dog will bark to communicate an alarm or warning to other members of the pack. This usually means that the dog has spotted another dog that is not a member of the pack, a predator of the same species, or prey, so that it can be noticed by its companions. Once everyone's attention is aroused, the group will gather and work together to deal with potential threats or hunt for food.

Calling Attention

When a dog barks, it is telling you that there are unusual sounds or potential threats that need to be detected and dealt with. If you ignore it, your dog will take on the task on his own. This may mean that he acts hyperactive, leaping from room to room, dashing to the door or jumping up, all the while barking. If you teach it to stop barking, it will stop barking if it is well trained. It will understand that you are dealing with that sound or event, or that in your mind, those are not threats.