At What Age Do Dogs Start Barking?

Dogs communicate in a variety of ways, one of which is barking, and because they bark for so many reasons, they can show off a whole range of different woos. But they don’t just bark. They grunt, moan, howl, cry, complain … If you then leave the sound field, you can delve into body language, which sees ears and tail as strong points. But when do dogs start making these sounds?

Why do dogs bark?

Around two / three weeks of life the puppies realize the first vocalizations: grunts and moans. These sounds appear in conjunction with the opening of the eyes and are a way of calling the mother, to request food or warmth.

During the seventh week or so they begin to emit tiny barks, although times may vary depending on the breed. It can take up to sixteen weeks for lazy people to utter this kind of verse for the first time.

Dogs, from an early age, bark for several reasons :

• To express excitement while playing.
• To indicate that they are hungry or that they want to go out to relieve themselves.
• Because they want to receive their favorite toy.

If you’ve just adopted a puppy, you should know that they tend to learn early on that barking will capture your attention.

For this reason, the ideal thing to do is to start educating your dog right away, being careful not to reward him when he barks to get your attention, otherwise you will reinforce a bad habit.

As your pet grows, you will learn to identify its different types of barking. For instance:

• When it identifies a possible threat (fear).
• To repel an intruder who has entered its territory (defense).
• To call another dog to play (socialize).
• As a form of threat to an opponent (domination).

Also, although barking varies between breeds, smaller dogs tend to bark more.

How do dogs learn to bark?

When your puppy begins to hear his peers bark, he will use them as a point of inspiration to do the same. If you pay attention, you will notice that when a dog starts barking in the neighborhood, a chorus of voices will soon rise with all the dogs in the neighborhood.

If you have an adult dog at home, the puppy will certainly use it as a cue and imitate his actions. Of course, barking is no exception.

Yet when it comes to barking it doesn’t stop there. Cubs can respond to barking from a television on, or to the “woof” with which humans sometimes incite them. Barking can also be triggered by sirens, car alarms, and even high-pitched music.

During the socialization phase, puppies can bark at anything or anyone they do not know. As they get used to your home and identify it as their territory, they may begin barking as a warning to ward off strangers or to signal that someone is approaching.

Remember that there is also another set of cries your pet can make:

• The howl. It is a wide-ranging form of communication used in different circumstances. Even if it shows up more easily in its relatives, the wolves, even your little dog will not hesitate to use it.
• The grunt. It will be used to frighten, to warn, as a defense or to attack, or simply to demonstrate one’s dominance. In the latter case, it will be accompanied by a fixed gaze and a straight back. However, it could also be a way of expressing oneself during the game, accompanying the verse with movements of the tail to manifest joy.
• The moan. It is equivalent to the happy gaze of us humans. You will feel it when it welcomes dogs, people or other pets.
• The hiccup or whine. It indicates submission or frustration. It can also be a symptom of pain or simply a way to get your attention.

Before you become crazy about your dog’s barking or other noises, remember that it is normal for dogs to do them and that they can mean a variety of things. And know that what may seem like an annoying noise to you is a way for your dog to exchange information and communicate with their peers and strangers. With patience and love, you will surely find a way to coexist peacefully with your pet and its barking.