Several new studies on canine vocalization have yielded some very interesting results.
For instance, in a study at the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, researchers proved that growls which seemed similar to human ears were actually differentiated by dogs as a ‘play growl’, a ‘stranger’ growl, or a ‘food-guarding’ growl.
Another study found that dog barking isn’t as simple as we think; that is, dogs don’t just bark to warn of danger or get attention. In fact, dog barking has different acoustic properties depending on the situation, and dogs can ‘read’ these.
Another study found that dogs can decipher whether a bark is from a familiar dog or a new one.
It is surprising, considering the amount of time, affection, and money we devote to our furry companions, that humans have spent relatively little effort learning how they communicate.
You can read all the details about new studies in canine vocalization in a recent article in The Bark.