Many dog owners have had similar experiences.
One minute, your dog is calmly sitting at home, and suddenly, a dog downstairs howls for some unknown reason, and your dog immediately perks up and joins in the howl.
Or a group of dogs might be playing happily in a field, and suddenly, one dog starts barking, and the rest follow suit.
So, what are they really barking about?
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Expressive little furballs
In the past, dogs were not often considered particularly noisy animals. After all, whether they were hunters or prey, being too noisy would alert others and ruin their chances. Most of their barking served survival or work purposes, like warning, intimidating, or calling companions.
This is normal behavior and one of their key ways of communicating. When not on duty, they tend to be quite quiet. But once they start living in urban households with humans, they seem to bark more than before. It’s not just your imagination – it’s true.
Experts have conducted experiments using foxes, and after several generations of domestication, these animals became more stable in temperament, better able to interact with humans, and adapted to artificial environments. But one “side effect” was that they became more “chatty.”
Some animal behaviorists believe this happens because they no longer need to hunt, so barking helps relieve boredom and stress. Others think it’s because their environment is too simple, with little exposure to new things, making them overly sensitive to every little movement and causing them to bark at every little disturbance.
Additionally, a newer theory suggests that this behavior might be a “juvenile” trait. While we often joke about “dogs never growing up,” some scientists are actually testing the idea that “dogs that have been domesticated by humans for a long time tend to retain more of their juvenile traits.”
Currently, this theory lacks sufficient data to fully support it, but small-scale studies comparing wolves and dogs show that:
Wolves typically begin barking on day 19 after birth, while dogs start around days 7-9.
By 2-3 months, both wolves and dogs can produce sharp, sustained barks. However, as adults, wolves generally become quieter, while many dogs continue to bark in ways that resemble their puppy barks to communicate with humans or other dogs.
What are they saying
"What? Is there danger nearby?"
A study on canine barking behavior recorded dogs barking when “lonely” and when encountering strangers. These recordings were played for other unfamiliar dogs, and their reactions were observed.
The results showed that when dogs heard other dogs barking in loneliness, they mostly did nothing. But when they heard barking from dogs encountering strangers, they immediately showed signs of alertness and joined in the barking.
“Helpful” dogs may be using barking to communicate with each other.
"Forget it, it’s not important, let’s just have fun!"
Besides this, many dogs simply find barking fun. They may be bored at home or just want to “chat” with the neighbor’s dog. So, when they hear another dog barking, they eagerly join in, enjoying the experience.
Some believe that for more “nature-loving” dogs, this is a deep-rooted instinct in their genes, a type of “synchronized behavior.” For example, if an owner crouches down, tilts their head, and howls, the dog may imitate them, even licking the owner’s face afterward to show its “team spirit.”
"Stay away from here!"
For dogs with strong territorial instincts, barking is often a defense mechanism. For example, terriers, known for their keen senses and strong territorial awareness, are more likely to bark in response to the presence or sound of other dogs.
When they feel threatened by barking, they often go into “battle mode” and try to chase the other dog away.
"Come over here! "
Also, when a group of dogs is playing together, one may suddenly start barking. Sometimes it’s because one dog no longer wants to play but the other does, so it provokes the other dog with challenges like, “Come over here!” trying to get its attention.
Other times, it’s because they don’t get along and both think the other is weak and that they will win in a fight, so they keep challenging with, “Come over here!”
Regardless of the situation, owners should not stand by and watch but should intervene before the situation escalates.
"Let go of me!"
Another scenario occurs when an unleashed dog barks at a dog on a leash. The dog on the leash might bark back aggressively. Once the unleashed dog leaves, the barking dog becomes quiet again as if nothing had happened.
Many believe that this happens because the leashed dog feels frustrated by being restricted while seeing the other dog free. However, many dog trainers argue that this is actually a sign of the dog’s lack of socialization. It may not have anything to do with the leash itself but is more about the dog’s limited interactions with other dogs.
On one hand, owners can gradually help their dogs socialize by introducing them to other dogs in safe settings. On the other hand, if the dog shows excessive fear, owners can take it to quieter, less populated areas for a safer experience.
Moreover, dogs may bark because they are bored, want attention, or simply because they’re excited.
In any case, dogs bark for many reasons. While it can be frustrating for owners, most of the time, training can help alleviate the behavior. If any owners are interested in tips to make their dogs “shut up,” feel free to leave us a message.
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