Canine Communication: 7 Types of Barks

There are seven basic types of barks that our dogs exhibit, with each having a different meaning and manner is which to manage or correct the behavior.

1)   Alarm/ Alert Barking  - An example is the dog who saves his family from a fire, tells us that Timmy’s in the well (Think Lassie), scares off the intruder, barks at the dogs on Animal Planet, and goes bonkers every time someone walks past on the sidewalk outside the picture window. Alarm barkers can save lives - but sometimes their judgment about what constitutes an alarm-appropriate situation can be misplaced.  The best form of management is to reduce the dog’s exposure to the stimulus.

2)  Demand Barking - Unfortunately, this is one of the most common barking behaviors.  The good news is that it is often the easiest to correct early.  Essentially this is your dog barking a request to get what they want, be it a treat, praise or something else.   The longer a dog successfully demands stuff, the more persistent he’ll be if you try to ignore him. Simply ignoring him is the best answer to this behavior. This means tough love: no treats, no attention - not even eye contact. The instant the demand behavior starts, utter a cheerful “Oops!” and turn your back on your dog. When he’s quiet, say, “Quiet, yes!” and return your attention - and treat - to him.  There are two complicating factors to be aware of:

3)  Frustration/Arousal Barking  - Often confused with anxiety barkers, dogs who have a low tolerance for frustration will bark hysterically when they can’t get what they want.  Unlike the separation anxiety panic attack, this is simply a temper tantrum similar to demand barking, but with more emotion, and directed at the thing he wants, such as a cat strolling by, rather than at you.  Your dog is basically screaming:  I WANT IT!

4)   Boredom Barking  - This is the dog who’s left out in the backyard all day, and maybe all night. Dogs are social creatures, and the backyard dog is lonely and bored. Boredom barking is often continuous, with a monotonous quality:  He is likely thinking: "I have nothing else to do, I may as well just bark.”

5)  Stress Barking  - Stress barkers are fearful, anxious, or even panicked about something that is real or that they anticipated in the environment.  This may include the actual approach of a threat, or isolation distress/separation anxiety.   Separation anxiety (SA) can be manifested in a number of behaviors, including nonstop hysterical barking and sometimes howling.  Separation anxiety is such a broad topic that it will not be covered here.

6)  Play Barking  - This is a common behavior for herding dogs, who are the cheerleaders and “fun police” of the canine world. As other dogs (or humans) romp and play, these play-barkers run around the edges.  They will likely be barking and sometimes nipping at heels.  If you’re in a location where neighbors won’t complain and the other dogs tolerate the behavior, you might just leave this one alone. With children, however, the behavior’s not appropriate, and the dog should be managed by removing him from the play area, rather than risk bites to children.

7)  Greeting Barking  - “Yay, Mom’s home! Mom’s home! Mom’s home!” If your dog hails you with hellos when you return after an absence, it’s time to shift into ignore mode. Stand outside your door and wait for the cacophony to subside, then enter calmly; no rousing hug-fests or “I love you! I missed you!” sessions. When your dog is quiet, then calmly greet him. If he starts to bark again, mark the barking with an “Oops!” and ignore him again.

Dr. Greg Roadruck has a high interest in Canine behavior.  He has written this article on behalf of Orrville Veterinary Clinic, for use on various materials and websites.

Edited for use on this website and the websites of Seville Wadsworth Veterinary Clinic and Orrville Veterinary Clinic by Jeffrey R. Fink D.V.M.