There is no doubt that a dog barking can be something which irritates the neighbors, stops you from sleeping at nights and causes other annoyances, but this is not all there is to a dog barking. There is a lot that you can tell from a dog’s bark, and as long as it is not excessive it can be something quite charming and entertaining. Just as humans have voices of their own and use them to make themselves identifiable, a dog uses its bark in order to get messages across in its own special way.
The many noises that a dog can make will be familiar to any long-term dog owner. From the quizzical whine when it’s not sure what it going on, to the short, sharp little yelp that shows it’s excited, your dog will tell you how it is feeling. It will also usually growl if there is threat present, and if it is about to strike in any way. This makes a suitable warning system that will allow people to take evasive or preventative action. There are other people who will insist that their dog replies when they speak to it – and evidence suggests that there is some truth in that.
A dog will see you, its owner, as a large, stretched out dog who looks out for it and is to be obeyed. To it, your words will simply be like a modified bark, and your tone of voice will carry the message. So when it barks back, it is like they are responding to you.