Why Do Dogs Bark? | Secret Life of Dogs | BBC Earth?

Dogs bark because they have special sounds to tell other dogs and people what’s going on around them.

Imagine you're playing with your favorite toy, and suddenly someone takes it away, you might shout or cry to let them know you’re upset. Dogs do something similar with their barks!

Why They Bark

  • When a dog sees another dog, they might bark to say hello or goodbye, like waving but with sound.
  • If a dog hears a noise, like the mail truck, it might bark to tell its family something is happening.
  • Sometimes dogs bark because they’re excited, just like when you get ready for ice cream and can’t wait any longer!

Barking is like how we use our voices, it helps dogs talk to each other and let people know what’s going on in their world. It's a fun way for them to express feelings, just like we do!

Take the quiz →

Examples

  1. A dog barks to tell its owner it wants food.
  2. Dogs bark when they see a stranger at the door.
  3. Barking is how dogs say hello to other dogs.

Ask a question

See also

Discussion

Recent activity

Categories: Science · dogs· barking· animal behavior