Vocalizations...Generalizations?

[Raven]

My last DS only barked ("I-mean-business") if there was something to say. Someone walking up the driveway, for instance. (She knew the sound of our Harley from others, which was always cause for great excitement and produced a different sound, more high-pitched.)

Thor is learning that not everything requires the world knowing that he exists, so is becoming more "discriminate," shall we say? So, his vocalizations are easy to pin-point what's going on: stranger walking a dog close to house versus OMG, my father's home (almost houndish squeel) versus a quick huff-groan combo (with the giddies flapping) indicating he knows he needs to be quiet but it isn't fair.

He does one I haven't had the pleasure of hearing...it's when he first realizes that I'm coming down the road. (The husband and I couldn't cheat on each other since Thor alerts us to the sound of only our vehicles when they can't yet be seen or heard by people.) The husband says that when Thor first hears my Wrangler down the road, he starts "whistling." What I hear by the time I get in the drive is the "hound dog" cry. But, when he hears the garage door open, he clams up and knows to go in the living room in a down until I come in, do whatever I'm going to do, and then release him.

Though he can distinquish the sound of our four-wheel vehicles, as of last riding season, he hadn't seemed to distinquish the sound of our Harley over others.

[Kristie E]

when Gwen is really excited she does this squeaking squealing snorting stuff. My GSD Lonnie was one of the quietest Shepherds I have ever known... no back tack, mumbling, etc, all business that one was.

[turnnburn52984]

I realize this conversation was a over a bit ago, but I had to throw my two cents in. Gwen squeaks moans, grumbles barks snickers, woofs and screeches like a banshee. I am so happy that as she has gotten older she has developed a teeny tiny bit of bass to her voice because otherwise it is ear plugging drag your fingernails across a chalk board high pitched arf! The only thing I have not heard her do is howl.. ... I love her though, she definitely has my husband trained to the bark.

Sounds like Koenig.

I know a DS who was a french ring dog. She was taught a silent guard. Her current owner (my trainer) could never figure out why, until he heard her bark. She sounds like a poodle on crack. MUCH more intimidating when she's silent rather then 'Yip! Yip! Squeak! Crack!' lol.

[Kristie E]

That must be one of Gwen's relatives... I have invested in Cotton balls for our ears..