Starting next week, the UK's Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs will offer a course in dog language. A vet, nurse, and dog behaviorist will teach humans how to understand the variety of noises that dogs make to communicate their desires. The first free-of-charge course will take place in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. Apparently the Peterborough City Council is hoping it will help cut down on noise pollution. From The Times:
The different noises made by dogs have been identified as grunts, whines, yelps, screams, howls, growls, coughs, barks, tooth snapping and panting.
While this cacophony might sound overwhelming to the untrained ear, dog owners will learn whether the sounds mean that their pet wants a walk, a wee or a fresh can of food.
Apparent meanings can include a friendly greeting, an invitation to play, a signal of distress or defence. Other noises indicate that the animal is under threat, submissive, wanting contact, attention seeking or contact seeking
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