” ... dog barks contain information that people can understand.
They found even people who have never owned a dog can recognise the emotional ‘meaning’ of barks produced in various situations, such as when playing, left alone and confronted by a stranger. “
It took a study to figure this out?!?!??? OMG that is basic dog ownership 101.
I can even ‘speak’ to our Sheltie imitating her own barks/growls/snarls/etc.
I can even tell who’s come home [which family member] by the bark.
I don't doubt that a bit. I also know that our dogs can distinguish when it's one of our cars from as far as a block away.