Dog Talk: Decoding Barking and Body Language

updated: April 21, 2025

People talk to their pets. It’s a funny fact that transcends both cultures and generations. Some of us use funny voices while addressing our pets, others ask general questions like “are you hungry”, or “what do you think” and others provide words of affirmations like “you’re such as good dog”, and “I love you so much”. While many of us believe our conversations with our pets are one-sided, that’s simply untrue.

How Dogs Talk: What Their Bark and Body Mean

Dogs communicate with each other and us all day long. While dogs aren’t the chatty species that we humans are, dogs communicate through barking and body movements. To the untrained eye, a dog’s body language is difficult to decipher because it changes with lightning quick speed. To the untrained ear a dog’s barks all sound similarly. However, by using your powers of observation its possible to learn a very valuable skill guaranteed to deepen the connection you have with your dog.

Reading Dog Body Language: Essential Signals to Watch For

The truth is dog body language is very nuanced. There are subtle movements happening all over the dog’s body from the eyes, ears and mouth to the fur and the position of the tail. But what’s most important is the overall picture of the dog’s body.

Open to Meeting (Loose Body Posture):

Body positioned forward
Eyes appear soft
Mouth is likely open
Tail moves in wide motion (like windshield wipers)

Not Interested in Meeting (Stiff Body Posture):

Body positioned backward or leaning away
Eyes appear hard, possibly starring
Mouth is tight or closed
Tail may be tucked, or moving slowly

Many people think that if a dog is wagging their tail, then the dog is friendly. This is not always the case. This common misconception about tail wagging is dangerous.

Remembering what a friendly dog’s body language looks like is easy; simply think about your own body, arms, and when you are open to meeting a new person versus your appearance when you are unsure. When we are open to meeting new people, we advance forward possibly extending a hand or leaning in for embrace, our arms drop to our sides, and we smile very wide. In situations where we are unsure, we lean back, our arms fold and we may smile but only half-heartedly. When we just focus on one body part, such as the smile we are unable to clearly access the situation.

Quiz Time: Should the pet guardian allow their dogs to meet?

What Your Dog’s Bark Means: Interpreting Different Barking Sounds

The key to knowing what your dog is saying is listening because central to canine communication is barking. Barking is a natural form of communication and shouldn’t be dismissed as noise.

“We must learn to be empathic about a barking dog rather than feeling frustrated.”
Turid Rugaas, Dog trainer and Behaviorist, Barking: The Sound of Language

Excitement Barking

Cause/Sound: High-pitched, consistent bark, associated with perceived "good" activities (owner returning, guests, car ride). The dog is usually wiggling their whole body.
What to Do: Celebrate alongside your dog! Engage in a happy dance or calmly acknowledge their enthusiasm.

Warning Barking

Cause/Sound: Indicates there is threat or danger coming.
What to Do: If it’s safe, calm your dog and show you have control.

1. Place yourself between your dog and the sound/trigger.

2. Show your dog the back of your hand (as a calming signal).

3. Move your dog to a safe location so they can return to a calm state.

Fear Barking

Cause/Sound: Rooted in panic and escape; it’s also associated with anxiety.
What to Do: Consult with a certified fear-free trainer (a professional who uses positive, science-based methods to reduce stress and anxiety).

Frustration Barking

Cause/Sound: Rooted in boredom and restlessness.
What to Do: Check out all of the enrichment ideas on our blog to keep your pooch mentally stimulated.

Demand Barking

Cause/Sound: Where a dog continuously barks to get what they want (attention, food, pets). They periodically stop to look at you, then bark again.
What to Do: Do not give into your dog's demands.

How To Get Your Dog to Stop Barking

To decipher what your pet is saying, ask yourself what that barks sound like. For example, does your dog sounds like they are happy, like they want something, or like yelling? Surely if your beloved pet is scared you wouldn’t want to respond by yelling back; similarly if your pet is excited then wouldn’t you want to celebrate alongside in a happy dance.

The compassionate and best way to remediate a barking problem is to identify the root problem and eliminate it. Using a bark collar is inhumane because it’s completely natural for a dog to communication their emotional state through barking. The next time your dog barks, listen closely so you can provide an appropriate response for your beloved pet, deepening your understanding and bringing you both even closer.

Beyond Cartoons: How Dogs Are Learning to Speak English

Dog communication aside, we have imagined dogs talking just like us for decades. From crime stopper Scooby to wise-cracking Brian Griffin, these pop culture icons have a special place in our hearts. And now, fantasy is quickly becoming reality as scientists are exploring how our non-verbal animals can express themselves in our language, through the “They Can Talk” program.

Using pre-recording buttons, dogs are being taught English so they can communicate freely. The process is no different than training your dog to understand the meanings to common activities or things such as outside, ball or stuffed toy. Bunny, The Talking Dog has millions of followers on social media with video demonstrating how she can string together words to let us know how she feels or what she wants to do.

Decode Dog Talk to Truly Understand Your Dog

Whether you choose to use your powers of observation and listening to understand your dog’s natural forms of communication, or you jump at the task to teach your dog to talk through buttons, you have solutions to get more joy and less stress out of your dog relationship, resulting in a happier companion.

We hope this article has helped you better understand the ways in which your dog communicates with you and other dogs. If you still have questions about your dog’s communication style or want help decoding what your pup is saying, feel free to get in touch with us for training. We love helping people learn more about their furry friends!

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FAQ Dog Talk

No! A wagging tail simply shows a dog is aroused (experiencing emotion). A wide, loose, and sweeping "windshield-wiper" wag often signals friendliness. Conversely, a fast, stiff, high, or slow wag indicates tension, anxiety, or high arousal. Always look at the dog's entire body—eyes, mouth, and posture—for the true meaning as discussed in the "Reading Dog Body Language" section.
As ethical, certified trainers, we strongly advise against using bark collar. Barking is your dog’s natural form of communication – it’s their voice. It is unfair to punish a dog for communicating especially without understanding the context – ie. barking to protect you and/or your property from an intruder. The best approach is to listen closely and identify the root cause. Once you know why your dog is barking, you can address the issue using the strategies mentioned in “What Your Dog’s Bark Means: Interpreting Different Barking Sounds”.
It comes down to context and body language. Excitement barking is typically high-pitched, fast, and accompanied by a wiggly body and happy demeanor, often in response to a pleasing event like you coming home or going to the park. Demand barking is usually a persistent, series of barks specifically directed at you to get attention, food, or play.

Dog Talk: Decoding Barking and Body Language

How Dogs Talk: What Their Bark and Body Mean