When dogs bark, are they actually communicating? Can variances in pitch, tone and duration infer meaning?

Answer 1

Dog communication comes in a variety of forms. Dogs use certain movements of their bodies and body parts and different vocalizations to send signals. There are a number of basic ways a dog can communicate. These are movements of the ears, eyes and eyebrows, mouth, head, tail, and entire body, as well as barks, growls, whines and whimpers, and howls.

Dogs bark for many reasons, such as when perceived intruders (humans, dogs, or other animals) approach its territory, for identification, when hearing an unfamiliar or unidentified noise, when seeing something that the dog doesn't expect to be there, or when playing. Barking also expresses different emotions for a dog, such as loneliness, fear, suspicion, stress, and pleasure. Play or excited barks are often short and sharp, such as when a dog is attempting to get a person or another dog to play.

Dogs generally try to avoid conflict; their vocalizations are part of what communicates to other dogs whether they mean harm or are in a playful mood.

The bark of a distressed or stressed dog is high pitched, atonal, and repetitive (and tends to get higher in pitch as the dog becomes more upset). For example, a dog left home alone and who has separation anxiety might bark in such a way.

Some research has suggested that dogs have separate barks for different animals, including dog, fox, deer, human, squirrel and cat.

So to fully amswer your questions dogs do try to communicate not just by barking but with body language
variances in tone and mood though affect the outcome of whatever their saying

Answer 2

I would say they are communicating but only on a basic level, like 'this is my territory','where's my dinner', 'I'm happy/unhappy' or something like that, there is a university in the UK that recently carried out a study on dogs vocal noises around the country, they concluded that dogs also have regional accents, but I can't say if it's right or not.

Answer 3

well, ive noticed my dog tries to talk to my dad and he has a couple different distinct barks that mean different things. He has a squirrel bark, a cat bark, an excited bark, a Daddy's home bark, and a stop teasing me Dad! bark. I know it sounds cheesy but they all sound differnt and it is like he's talking to us.

Answer 4

Dogs bark to tell you a lot of things. They emit sound when hungry, when they want more food, when they want to win the opposite sex, when in fidgety mood. They even cry in distress. They squeak to please you.They express pleasure and displeasure by sending different vocal signals.

Answer 5

yeah

watch the vid of that man who lived with wolves for 2 years

wolves arent dogs i know

but its a good vid

Answer 6

They are communicating

Answer 7

That's what I want to know perhaps I can understand my dog.

Answer 8

yes, it's part of their communication skills besides sniffing.

Answer 9

yes ofcourse

Answer 10

Hell yes they talk, ever watched 'Lassie come home'. But not all dogs are that stupid, if they talked they'd be working.