Not being a jet-setter, (although a nice lottery win could change that ), the only foreign phrase I've really managed to master is " Mucho Peseta " , on the rare ( very rare ) occasions that I have been able to get away on holiday. Undoubtedly, my communication skills in foreign languages are severely limited.

Humans learn to speak in foreign tongues to help communicate in their adventures overseas.

We learn computer language to help us communicate in our daily working lives. Barking too, is a language, albeit " Doggy " language.

With the exception of the Basenji, dogs bark; a fact no-one can dispute.

Dogs are social creatures with barking being natural canine communication ranging from the warning " RRrruff " to the " Whoof ... Let`s play "

Via a repertoire of noise, most owners can recognize their dogs vocalisations for what they are ;- The anticipative " Whufff " as you prepare the dogs dinner. The urgent " Yip " at " I gotta go wee-wee time".

The high-pitched excited " Oh Boy, We're going out " or the deep chested rumble forewarning of an approaching stranger, to the soft cat-like " Rrrrrrrs " of new puppies.

But what about all the " Woofs, Yips & Yaps " that seem to be for no apparent reason, and get more irritating and annoying with each passing minute.

Reasons for this cacophony are manifold.

A scared / anxious / nervous dog will bark at anything it perceives to be a threat.

This perceived threat can be as diverse as humans with hats on to falling leaves.

An overly protective / territorial dog will bark to indicate his authority and guarding ability in his " patch "

A dog may bark / whine / howl in annoyance or anxiousness at the masters disappearance.

Environment can play a contributory factor. There may be unresolved conflict between your dog and a neighbours dog, escalating into a full blown vocal power struggle.

Sexual desire, applicable in both sexes, can induce unwanted barking sessions making the owners life a misery, .

Another example is Learned Behaviour where the dog has discovered that barking gets it the attention it seeks.

At some point in our lives with our dogs, no doubt there has been at least one occasion when we knew that the dog was taking a liberty.

Disobedient dogs often spend " Time-Out ", in the kitchen or hall as a result of their misdeeds, where they proceed to bark their lungs out until their owner eventually despairs of the noise and allows the dog access to the family and the main living areas again. Clever Dog !

The restrained dog that barks continually outside the Pet shop until the owner or the shop assistant pops out with a tasty titbit, or a passing shopper stops to pet it. Very clever dog !

The dog at Obedience/Agility classes, or even just out on a walk, barking at any other dog that it meets.

The dog with a very small personal space declaring to all, that entry into this space is forbidden.

The aggressive non-socialised dog barking to warn other dogs " Come close at your own peril "

My own dog Kiemo, is a vocal dog and ( Though` I love him to bits ! ), can be a pain at times. He barks at the postman, he barks at the cats, he barks at his mate,

" Woof, Mum, the cats walking all over the kitchen worktops"

" Wooooof, Mum, the posts arrived "

" Woof, Woof-Woof, Mum, I'm having a great time playing with Kierra ".

"ALL THE TIME HE IS BARKING, HE IS TELLING ME SOMETHING".

Like learning Spanish, learning " Doggy Language " is useful , not only in your general life as you encounter other dogs, but also in your personal life, giving you a better understanding of your own pet and an insight into your dogs personality.

It will be your own personal tolerance levels that will dictate whether your dog's barking poses problems or not.

However, In these increasingly Anti-Dog times , an incessantly barking dog is often regarded as a nuisance.

Extreme cases create tension and animosity between friends, family and neighbours and can cause owners to fall foul of the law.

Sadly, it also results in many dogs facing the life of a stray or incarceration at the local shelter.

Translation avoids Frustration.

Listen & Learn.