Maybe you hear it as a “huff” or a “puff” or a “chuff,” but whatever it is, you’re concerned: Why is your dog making that quick exhalation of air sound?
Are they mad? Stressed? In pain?
Up ahead, we’ll take a look at the infamous “huff” sounds that many dogs like to make, and examine just what they’re trying to say when they do this.
Why does my dog huff at me?
Because dogs are often so similar to humans, it’s easy to be worried when they start doing something that we don’t do. A good example is huffing.
What is huffing?
Huffing in a dog is when your dog exhales a puff of air. In some dogs, the sound may come out as a simple breath of quickly exhaled air. In other dogs, it may be half-huff of air and half-bark. Sometimes, it’s a long sound and full of saliva; their chops (lips) may flap as the air excels from their mouth, and they may even drop some saliva on the floor in front of them. In other dogs, the huff is short and quick, often making it seem much more exasperated-sounding.
Regardless of the specific sounds of your dog’s huffs, most dogs huff for the same list of reasons. In order to determine why your dog is huffing at any given time, you’ve got to look at the environment around you and what your dog (and you) are doing at the time. Finally, you’ve got to consider your dog’s unique personality.
These are the top reasons you may see/hear your dog huffing:
1. They’re stressed out.
Think about yourself when you’re stressed. Do you have any tics? Some people throw up their arms or start wringing their hands. Other people take long, deep sighs. Still others may start crying or even moaning if the stress is severe.
Dogs can have similar responses. Many of them will huff when they are stressed out. For example, it’s not uncommon for a dog to huff when they encounter another dog. If, for example, a friend came over to your house and brought their dog with them, your dog may huff in a stressed-out way because they’re not sure why there’s a new dog in their environment.
2. They’re having fun playing.
Believe it or not, huffing can also be a good thing. It can denote a dog that’s happy and content in what they’re doing.
This is very common when you’re playing or roughhousing with a dog. If you’ve ever done this outside, with or without a ball or toy, you may have noticed your dog leaning back on their back legs with their front legs stretched out in front of them, and they may be huffing. This is a sign of play, and it’s a good thing. They’re having fun.
Dogs may huff during play with you and other humans and/or with other dogs.
3. They’re starting to get aggressive about something.
When certain dogs huff and it starts to sound like a bark, huffing can also be a sign that aggressions are rising.
For example, some dogs may start making huffing noises when you try to get them in the bath or sit still for a nail trimming. Generally speaking, in these cases, the huffing is a precursor to more aggressive behavior, such as louder barking, whining, and even lashing out.
Why does my dog huff at me when playing?
If your dog huffs when they’re playing, this is a good thing! It means they’re having a good time with you, and this is their way of communicating that.
In addition to huffing and puffing when playing, dogs often huff when they are getting ready and anticipating doing something fun. A good example of this is right before you take your dog for a walk. If your dog loves walks (as most dogs do) and sees you preparing their leash and harness and getting on your shoes and coat, they may start jumping around and making huffing sounds.
This means they’re getting excited to do the activity you’re about to do, and they’re very happy. It’s nothing to be alarmed about.
Why does my dog huff when I pet him?
Usually when your dog huffs when you pet them, this simply means that they are content. They are relaxed and feeling loose and comfortable. In this way, think of huffing as a sigh or even a light moan. These are often sounds that humans give out when they are getting a professional massage, for example. The effect is very similar. It’s an exhalation of air that denotes stress relief, calm, and contentedness.
With that said, if you notice that your dog is huffing when you pet them in just one certain area, and if the huff sounds more aggressive or uncomfortable than usual, this man may be a sign that they’re having some pain or discomfort in that area of their body. In this case, you might want to book an appointment with your veterinarian to do some further digging.
Why does my dog huff when I talk to him?
It largely depends on what you are saying and your body language while you are saying it. After all, talking to your dog when you’re mad at them for ripping up a toilet paper roll will sound very different than talking to your dog when you’re excited to see them after work.
If you’re talking to your dog in an excited way and getting them riled up (right before doing on a walk or outside to play, for example), your dog is probably huffing because they are excited and happy. On the other hand, if you’re talking to your dog and telling them something serious like “let’s get ready to go to the vet” or “it’s time to take your medicine” (and if they don’t like doing these activities as most dogs do not!), then your dog is probably huffing out of stress and anxiety.
Finally, if you’re talking to your dog and scolding them for doing something you don’t like (like peeing on the floor or snapping at someone), they may be huffing out of pseudo-aggression. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your dog is aggressive by nature all the time. It may simply mean that they are competing with you for “alpha dog” and are not happy that they are getting yelled at for their behavior.
Why does my dog huff when he lays down?
This is usually a very cute sign of relief, calm, and exhaustion. It’s similar to the way in which humans may give out a sigh when we sit down or lay down — especially after doing something exhausting or after a long day of work.
Take note here, however. If your dog is huffing when they lay down and also looks like they’re having trouble getting situated with part of their body, the huff could be pain-related. If you suspect something like this, you want to do some more investigating. See if they tend to coddle any particular part of their body (like a leg) or if they’re having any other trouble moving around. If you notice several signs of pain or discomfort, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
What to do about my dog huffing at me?
This depends on the situation in which they are huffing and in what manner.
If, for example, you only see and notice your dog huffing when they lay down, when they’re excited to go out for a walk (or do something fun), or when you pet them gently (and the huffs are positive ones), then you really shouldn’t try to stop this behavior. They are simply showing their joy and contentment.
On the other hand, if you notice your dog huffing in conjunction with other troubling symptoms, it may be time to contact your vet and investigate the issue further.