Hi Mark,

Normally we don't run because of every bark of our dogs, as the do it because of every mouse or bird etc. But this time it was such a different tone in the voice of Socks, that made me concerned. So I went to look, couldn't see anything and went back. But the strange barking made me so unquiet, that I returned. I then noticed, she was still sitting on the same spot and staring at the same point on the wall of the garage. It took me quite a while, until I saw the poisonous snake, hidden between the waterhoses.

Assumed Socks had already learned to definitely stop barking after the Quiet~command, I wouldn't have discovered the snake.

Can I reliably make a correlation between the different sounds of the barking and so decide, if I should give the quiet-command or not?

This would mean I'd have to learn the bark-language better. Is it possible, to learn this via internet or somehow, or can I just learn it listening to the individual dog and oberserving him?

Thanks

Christina

Our dogs have a very distinct bark when there is a bear in the yard.

Thanks Cathy! Good gracious, you have bears in your yard?!

Yes, I have to train my hearing better. I can distinguish until now only, when they need to go potty, when people or dogs are passing by and now, when there is something very unusual somewhere.

Hi Christina,

Yes, the bark of our dogs changes depending on what it is that is stimulating them.  Prey barks are usually higher in pitch, and higher in quantity in terms of repetitions.  Defensive barks are normally lower, accompanied by a growl, and sometimes less in number to prey.  Defensive barks can also get wacky if the feeling escalates.  Where the dog seemingly can come unglued if the pressure/stress in increasing.

The best way, is to observe our dogs and make associations with the tones of the barks.  Just like our dogs learn from us!

Thank goodness you found the snake!!!

Good boy Slippie!

Mark

Good gitrl, Slippie! And it was not her who kept on with that strange barking it was Socks. And it was not the first time! I know in between the sound of her alert. But I'm afraid, because she goes to near. The snake keeps herself almost without motion. That's why we didn'

(Interruption like so often, sorry! ... ) That'ts why I didn't notice  the snake. Awful situation. But it makes me more alert generally. I really have to learn doggish somehow. The sound actually was as you describe it: wacky, provided I understand the word correctly. Thanks for the description. I'll learn to distinguish somehow. (If I will not die before!).

I wish you wonderful  days without snakes.

Christina