What does it mean when my dog tries to talk? Expert Advice

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We can learn the meaning of dog sounds by observing our canine companions to see what seems to trigger these sounds. If your dog has behavioral problems associated with sounds, it may be a good idea to consult your veterinarian or a trained animal behaviorist to figure out the underlying issue and how to correct it.

A dog that barks when you get home, wags her tail, and bounces around with her favorite toy is probably telling you she is happy to see you. A dog in your neighbor’s yard that runs along the fence, snarling and barking when you get too close, however, is probably letting you know that this is her territory, and you are not welcome. If your dog barks when someone knocks on the door, she is telling you that there is someone there. Her bark might be excited, if she is the sort of dog that loves people, or downright angry, if she has a stronger, “stranger-danger” instinct. You will get better at interpreting dog barking by observing when your dog barks, the different types of bark she has, and what else her body is doing. Your dog’s bark pitch can also indicate emotion. A high-pitched bark is welcoming, whereas a lower-pitched bark indicates a threat.

Whining can also show anxiety or fear. A dog with separation anxiety may whine when left alone, and a dog with a fear of going to the veterinarian may whine in the lobby. Dogs also show pain through whining. If your dog seems uncomfortable, is panting and whining, and his behavior or appetite has changed, he could be whining in pain. As with barking, the trick is figuring out the context surrounding the whine.

Dogs sigh and groan to show contentment and disappointment. Puppies moan and groan when they are settling down for a nap, and adults may sigh as they relax in your lap or on their dog beds. If your dog pesters you to play or go for a walk, however, and then flops down on the ground and lets out a long sigh or groan, she could be disappointed that she has not gotten what she wants.

At this very moment, as I sit here writing this, one of my two dogs is whining nonstop. Two thoughts occur: First, is it possible literally to be annoyed to death? And second, is this sound — which easily makes the list of sounds that make me want to run off the edge of a mountain — one of the many ways your dog is trying to communicate with you? (Some followups: If it is, what is he trying to say? I imagine its something along the lines of, “Hey Mom, Im bored, so Im going to make this sound until I bother you so much that you just start to cry. By the way, I also pooped in your office again.”)

But there are other possibilities. Your dog could be expressing submission (while sitting/laying in a submissive position), or they could be excited (jumping, spinning, tail wagging). In addition to these two, your dog could also be expressing anxiety, frustration, or fear.

In particular, first thing in the morning, my dogs need to sniff every inch of me. Its almost as if they forgot me overnight and need to feel me out all over again. But according to one study, dogs rely on their sense of smell and grow so familiar with the scent of their owners that its almost like a perfume to them. When they smell it, they have an immediate emotional and physical reaction, and they want more of it.

A fourth (and largely accepted) response is that when a dog tilts its head at you, its actually to get a better view, because their own muzzle blocks part of what they see when theyre looking at something straight on.

Research has a few explanations behind this one. One is that your dog tilts his head when youre talking to it because its trying to hear better with a particular ear. A second explanation is that because we generally respond positively to this head movement (because its so adorable), a dog can pick up on that and therefore do it more, to receive the positive reinforcement it craves. Yet another belief amongst some researchers is that because dogs are able to empathize with us, they tilt their heads as they try to filter out the words they recognize.

What Is My Dog Trying To Tell Me?

There are four key mindsets that affect how a dog behaves:

Sometimes, dogs show multiple signs together. For instance, they can show timid-aggressive behavior when a fearful canine bites someone who is entering their personal space. Another example is excited-submissive, when a dog is fiercely wagging his tail in anticipation of a treat. See below for a list of dog body languages as clues to decipher what your dog is trying to tell you.

Clenched mouth – This shows that something is holding his attention. If that something is another canine, it might escalate to aggressive behavior.

Raised hair on the back of his neck – Sometimes dogs play aggressively. The best way to tell whether he is playful-aggressive or angry-aggressive is by the hair on his back right behind the head. If the hair is up and stiff, it’s a sign of being angry and aggressive.

Crouched down – If a dog shifts their weight backward, it may be because they are getting ready to lunge themselves forward, which could escalate quickly.

Hard stare – If a dog is glaring at you or another dog, he might not be aggressive at the moment. But, it could lead to aggressive behavior with barking or trying to pounce.

Read about more signs of aggressive dogs and how to help their behavior, especially when it comes to aggression towards other dogs.

Looks away – Shows trust (especially around people) and is non-threatening around animals.

Exposes belly – If a dog rolls over on his back, this signals trust and submission. Submissive dogs will do this when playing with other dogs too.

Licks lips or nose – A pup will lick his nose to keep it moist for smelling, but he will also do so when he is nervous or anxious.

Licking – If dogs are licking other dogs, it could show respect to the more dominant dog. Dogs also lick themselves and humans. There are many reasons why dogs lick.

Shivering – Shivering or trembling can mean anything from a dog being sick to overwhelming excitement. First, you have to figure out if the shivering is common or if it only happens in certain situations. Trembling around certain people or objects is a sign of timid behavior or past trauma. Get more information on dogs shaking and shivering.

Yawning – Yawning is a way to remove internal tension. This behavior could mean a dog is uncomfortable about something. This type of timid behavior rarely leads to aggression.

Eyes extremely wide open (body tense) – Another sign of fear.

Ears pinned to his body – This behavior usually comes with a tail between the legs and is a sign he is scared.

Panting – Panting can be a sign that your dog is excited. But it also can mean your dog is tired or expelling heat from his body. If you’re outside in the heat, find some shade, water to drink, and take your dog inside to cool down. Learn more about the signs of heat stroke so you can prevent a dog from overheating.

Eyes extremely wide open (body moving) – Canines love to show their excitement through body cues, but also with their eyes. Wide eyes could mean he is overly excited.

Barking – Barking could be your dog’s way of saying that he’s happy to see another dog on the television or out the window. Learn more about what else barking means below.

Chasing his tail – A dog might run around in circles to demonstrate that he’s happy. It could also be boredom or another behavioral issue. Check out why dogs chase their tails.

Here’s a summary of the four types of dog emotions described above.

A dog’s tail plays a critical role in interpreting a dog’s emotions. Here are some of the common dog tail motions and the emotions they could signal.

Tail up in the air – Generally speaking, the higher the tail points, the more excited a dog is. If his body is tense, it means he is concentrating on something. A high tail while walking or playing is a sign of enjoyment.

Relaxed tail – A sign he is passive and relaxed.

Full-body tail wag – If the whole body goes into a tail wag, it is a sure sign of excitement.

Pointed, tense tail – A tense tail means he is in a state of unrest. While a tense tail that is wagging might mean playful behavior, rigid and high tail position means you should steer clear.

Tail between legs – A cowering tail is a sign of fear or shame. If he is uncomfortable, he will try to make himself seem as small as possible, including curling his tail in between his legs.

How to Understand Your Dog Better

Dogs can’t talk, but they have an effective way of communicating with their body language, showing signals to indicate their feelings. As we learn to recognize how dogs communicate, we can better understand what our furry friend is telling us. You don’t have to be Cesar Millan to know when a pup is happy, hurt, or angry. Dog facial expressions and dog tail and ear languages are ways to find out what your dog might be thinking. Table Of Contents