Have you ever wondered what your dog is trying to tell you when he barks?

The reasons can be endless, which is why The American Kennel Club offers these tips.

- To communicate: Dogs can communicate with others far away by howling. When dogs travel in a pack and one gets separated, the lost dog will begin howling and wait for the others to respond. Sometimes, dogs hear sounds such as a siren that they perceive to be another dog calling to them, and they’ll start howling in response.

- To intimidate others: When a dog feels threatened, he will defend himself and his space against strangers by emitting a deep, explosive series of barks. This says: Stay away.

- To get attention: Barking is used to get attention. This is especially common when dogs are used to being the center of attention. Attention barking consists of a long series of loud yaps. Once he gets what he’s looking for, he’ll stop.

- To protect himself: Growling is designed to keep opponents away, especially if your pooch has something he is protecting. He will let out a deep growl that signals to anyone coming close that it is dangerous to approach.