Why does my dog have a high pitched bark

My best friend is my dog. Are you already judging me from behind your computer screen? It’s okay, you can laugh. Yes, my best friend is furry and approximately a foot and a half tall. But you know what else? She’s always smiling and she’s always down to have some fun. We both love to run and play soccer. We love the beach and the great outdoors. We’re both scared of strangers and of the dark. And most importantly, we can always count on the other: whether I need some cheering up or she needs me to fill her water bowl.

Delilah and I’s friendship is going on a whopping 10 years, which is really exciting because you know what they say: if a friendship lasts longer than 7 years, it’s bound to last a lifetime. So I’m looking forward to remaining by her side for another 10 (or hopefully more) years. But, I’m taking this opportunity to recognize that there’s always room for improvement. So, in order to prevent some of our future arguments—yes we fight like every other pair of best friends—we’ve been working on our communication skills. And now I understand Delilah better than I ever thought possible. And you can understand your best dog friend better too! Here’s a list of 5 types of dog barks and what they really mean:

1) Continuous rapid barking in a medium-ranged pitch

This is Delilah’s favorite bark. She sits by the front window and every 30 minutes or so just starts rambling. I used to get really annoyed by it, especially when it interrupted my work or my equally important Netflix binges. But now I know that she’s just trying to warn me of a potential threat. Dogs engage in this kind of barking when they think someone might be invading their territory. This explains why they love to bark at the mailman and every child who speeds down the street on their bicycle.

2) Nonstop barking, broken up by intervals

I only ever heard Delilah bark like this when she was a puppy. But now that I know what it means, it makes total sense. You may notice your dog has a fit every morning when you’re getting ready to leave for work: you grab your coffee and your car keys and your hand’s on the doorknob when they just start barking like crazy. Basically, they’re telling you they don’t want you to go. And they most likely continue to bark like this while you’re gone because they’re lonely and don’t want to be by themselves. Delilah would do this as a puppy when I left for school, but learned to cope with the separation and channeled it into excitement when I returned everyday.

3) Single yelp or quick high-pitched bark

There’s no mistaking this bark—it typically translates to “Ouch!” and is in response to a sudden, surprising pain. One time, Delilah was roughhousing with her favorite guys—my two brothers and nephew—when one of them fell directly on her leg. She let out a sharp cry and limped to the corner of the room. After a few minutes, just as I was about to call the vet, she wagged on over to me and assured me that she was okay. But now, I pay extra attention to these barks. I know that they mean something bad has happened and that she’s in some serious pain. Additionally, if your dog releases a series of yelps, this is further indication that they’re in pain or that they’re scared. Thankfully, I’ve only ever heard Delilah do this in her sleep. Needless to say, she has some crazy nightmares.

4) Stutter-bark in a medium-ranged pitch

This one’s a little harder to explain, unless I’m barking at you. But I’ll give it my best. So, normally an average bark is spelled “ruff”. Well, following that guideline, this stutter-bark would look something like “err-ruff”. And it might accompany your pup bowing down and wagging their tail. Have you guessed its meaning yet? This one translates to, “Let’s play!” and simply means your dog wants to have some fun. Delilah always does this when I’m getting ready to throw her tennis ball. She loves to dart across the room for it, but her favorite part is making me chase her to get it back.

5) Rising bark.

This bark typically follows the previous one and should assure you that your dog is having fun! It usually presents itself as a series of barks, beginning in the middle range but rising sharply in pitch and is a sure sign of excitement. Delilah always brings out this bark when she’s playing with the boys. She circles around them as they wrestle and run around and certainly doesn’t hold back the enjoyment it brings her. As long as she’s engaging in this type of bark every now and then, I know she’s living her life to the fullest and making some great memories.

Dog sounds can be hard to translate. At times these sounds may be confusing–to you as a pet owner. Once you understand what your pup is trying to say, however, you’ll have a better grasp on what they need or what they’re trying to communicate.

Possible Meanings of Different Dog Sounds

Barking

Why does my dog have a high pitched bark

Distinguishing different dog sounds, such as barking, require listening to the variations in intensity and length.

Depending on the breed, a dog’s bark can be quite unique and range from a small yip to a deep woof. But despite the variety of barking, a dog’s barks are mostly used to get someone’s attention or make its presence known.

There are three things to listen for when assessing your dog’s barks: frequency, duration, and pitch. These variations in bark intensity and length are great indicators of what your canine friend is telling you.

Here are some common bark examples and what your dog is likely saying:

  • Multiple barks broken up with pauses are a familiar sound for pet owners. These types of barks usually mean your dog is trying to alert the pack that something needs to be investigated.
  • Single, high-pitched barks are often used as a greeting for your canine’s friends and family. Many times, it’s your dog’s best way of saying “hello” to someone they know or love.
  • Low, drawn-out barking suggests your dog may be on the defense. If you hear these types of barks, it could be that your pet senses danger nearby, or is uncomfortable with a place or person.
  • A single lively bark preceded by a light growl means your pup is feeling frisky and typically coincides with other kinds of playful body language.
  • Multiple pauses in a long barking sequence signal that your dog is probably lonely. These barks could mean your dog would like a canine companion or needs more of your attention.

Howling

Just like its ancestors, your dog uses howling to communicate all sorts of things to its pack – and to other dogs or packs in the area.

  • Sometimes your dog will howl to let pack members know where they’re at so you can be reunited.

    Why does my dog have a high pitched bark

    Your dog uses howling to communicate all sorts of things to its pack.

  • Howling can also be a warning to others to stay away from their territory.
  • In some situations, howling can be an indication of a problem with your pet. If your pup has an issue with howling and it looks unhappy or uncomfortable, they may be experiencing things like depression, separation anxiety, or illness.
  • Your dog may be howling just because howling is contagious. When one dog starts howling, others are sure to follow. Any high-pitched sound, like a siren or car alarm, can also trigger a howling session.

Whining and Whimpering

Whining and whimpering can mean a lot of different things, but it’s usually a sign that your dog wants your attention. Whether they need a good play session or simply want to be petted, fed, or noticed by their owner, whining and whimpering is a harmless way of saying they need interaction.

However, whining and whimpering can also be a sign of bigger problems, like pain, distress, or separation anxiety. Keep an eye out for other ways your pet might be expressing these emotions, such as panting, poor behavior, or an obvious change in appetite.

Yelping

Yelping is often associated with pain or fear, though it usually comes as a sudden outburst instead of a prolonged cry. A yelp is meant to get your attention immediately and can be triggered by everything from a bite, sting, or other type of unexpected injury. But it could also mean your pet was surprised or frightened by something in their environment.

Yelping isn’t always a bad sign, however. Sometimes dogs will yelp with the arrival of loved ones, especially when they’ve been gone for a long time from your pup’s point of view. If you hear a quick yelp after returning from vacation or a long day at work, it could be your dog’s way of saying you were missed and they are excited to have you back!

Growling

Why does my dog have a high pitched bark

Growling is a sign that other people and pets shouldn’t come any closer.

When a pup is feeling frisky, they sometimes share gentle growls to draw an owner’s attention, or do it simply as part of everyday play. But more often than not, a growling dog is a sign that other people and pets in the area shouldn’t come any closer.
Whether they’re protecting food and toys, upset about a bath or nail trimming, or letting strangers know they aren’t someone to tangle with, growling often boils down to a sign of a fear or frustration.

It’s important to make a growling dog feel as comfortable as possible. Punishing a dog for growling may only exacerbate the problem – next time, they might skip the warning altogether and lead with more aggressive behavior. Learning how to identify when a dog might bite is important for every pet owner and may require training to break the bad habit.

Groaning and Sighing

Lots of pet owners refer to their dogs as fur babies. And just like human children use pouting to express boredom or disappointment, dogs use groaning in situations where they aren’t getting their way. But not all dog sounds, such as groaning, always mean your pet is feeling unsatisfied.

Another reason your dog might be groaning or sighing is to express their contentment. Many dogs use groaning and sighing to communicate satisfaction after a walk, a play session, or when they’re ready to relax. As long as the groaning and sighing doesn’t persist, which may indicate pain or discomfort, your pup is probably letting you know it’s all set for naptime.

Why is my dogs bark so shrill?

Shrill barking is a sign of fear. A fearful dog may want to be protective and scare something away, but his lack of confidence raises the pitch of his voice. Often the dog can be seen rushing forward and then backward with ears back and tail tucked. This is a scared dog.

Why does my dog squeal bark?

Excessive vocalization refers to uncontrollable, excessive dog barking, whining or crying, often occurring at inappropriate times of the night or day. Such vocalization can be due to pain, illness or cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), or may be related to a decline in hearing in senior pets.

What dogs have high pitched bark?

10 Dog Breeds with High Pitched Barks.
Chihuahua. Chihuahuas are loved for their cuteness, playfulness, and how protective they are. ... .
Yorkshire Terrier. The Yorkshire terrier has three main barks. ... .
Bloodhound. ... .
Alaskan Malamute. ... .
Dachshund. ... .
Bassett Hound. ... .
Siberian Husky. ... .
Beagle..

What different types of dog barks mean?

In addition, the more barks in a row, the more aroused the dog is. A single bark may be given when a dog is surprised or annoyed, as if to say, “huh?” or “knock it off.” On the other hand, a long string of barks likely indicates the dog is far more worked up, such as the prolonged sound of alarm barking.