Communication
Vocal communication is one of the most obvious signs of communication because we can hear it. We want to make sure that we are using this as a backup to the body language signals because normally, you’re going to see the dog’s body change before you actually hear that vocal communication. You do want to start to learn that there are different sounds and meanings for everything that a dog does in term of vocalization. You’ll hear playful barks and growls as well as eager winning and you’ll also hear dogs that are more serious that are growling in a more threatening manner.
In the Canine Vocal Management chart below, look at the vocalizations that are considered green or “go” sounds. These are playful barks, growls and shinning and you’ll hear this with dogs that are in the green part of the traffic signal.
As we move to the yellow or the caution part of the traffic signal with vocalizations, the barking is going to change in terms of the speed of the bark and also the pitch. The growling will get deeper.
Red vocalizations are very distinctive and indicate a high risk of biting. Dogs are either more terrified and thinning, screaming, yelping or they are very confident and aggressive and you will hear longer, lower and more serious growls.
Canine Vocal Management Chart
Management Signal | Sound | Canine Emotion | Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
Short bark "ruff" Bark rising in pitch Howl Champing Growl (soft and playful) Whine | Hello, let's play! This is fun. I hear you. I'm satisfied. I want to play. I want! | Pleasure and excitement Enjoyable play Group howl Friendly and no threat Playful and excited Excited and eager |
|
Rapid barking High pitch barking Single sharp bark Soft short growl Whine (low) Moaning bark | Calling the pack Help, I don't like this. Stop! What's that? Stop! What's that? I'm not sure about this. | Alert call or alarm bark Stress signal Surprise or annoyance Warning Alert Anxious |
|
Long deep low growl Growl-bark Long growl with pitch changes Whine Whimper Yelp Scream | Back off! Beware! I'm upset! I'm frightened! I'm very terrified! I need! I hurt, I'm scared. I'm hurt and scared. Help, help! I'm very scared! | Annoyed confident dog. Fearful, and annoyed dog that if pushed, may fight. Extreme fear of more submissive dog. Distress or fear Stress Injured; physically or emotionally Extreme fear; sound can trigger prey drive into other dogs. |
Play the video below and listen to the different vocalizations and hear the differences between green, yellow, and red vocalizations. As you listen, notices the differences in pitch, speed and depth of the different sounds as the vocalizations more from green to yellow to red.