Before we get into the reasons your dog might be making this sound, let’s quickly define what this sound is.
Chuffing in dogs is the sound made when a dog exhales a puff of air. For some dogs, it just comes out as a short breath. For others, it’s a half-huff, half-bark sort of noise. Sometimes, it’s a sound mixed with drooling, and their lips flap as they quickly exhale air from their mouth. Or it may be short and fast, sounding like an exasperated huff.
No matter the exact sound, dogs chuff for the same reasons. To determine why your dog is making this noise, you’ll need to examine the context, the environment, and what you and your dog are doing at the time. Finally, you need to know your dog’s individual personality to know what they’re saying.
Reasons Dogs Make a Chuffing Sound
Here are the top reasons dogs make chuffing sounds:
Stress
Think about how you act when you’re feeling stressed. While the exact actions are different for everyone, most of us have some sort of ‘tic’ or ‘fidget’ we do when we’re feeling stressed out. Some people bite their nails or twirl their hair. It’s likely you make noise, too, like a sigh or a huff.
Dogs can have very similar responses, and many of them make a chuffing noise when they feel stressed. For example, when they meet another dog, they might make this noise because they’re unsure about the situation.
They’re having fun
Sometimes dogs chuff when they are happy and having fun with what they are doing. The sound indicates that they are happy and content.
This sound is very common when you are playing with a dog. If you’ve ever noticed them lean back on their back legs with their front legs stretched in front of them and chuff, this is called a “play bow.” It looks a bit like the downward dog yoga pose.
Dogs can do this when playing with humans or with other dogs.
They’re getting aggressive
Certain dogs make a chuffing sound that is intermixed with barking. This can be a sign that their aggression is rising.
Generally speaking, the chuffing is a precursor to behaviour that would be considered more aggressive, like barking, whining, or even snapping or biting.
Why Does My Dog Make a Chuffing Sound When Playing?
If your dog makes this noise during play, it’s a good thing! It means your dog is enjoying their time with you, and they are communicating that.
Dogs also make this noise when they are anticipating something fun, like a walk, a car ride, or when they see you grab their leash. This means they are excited about what’s to come. Your dog is happy, and there’s nothing to be alarmed about.
Why Does My Dog Chuff When I Pet Him?
If your dog makes a chuffing sound while you’re petting them, it usually means they are content and happy. It’s kind of like a sigh or a low moan that says, “I’m relaxed and comfortable. I like this.” The exhalation of air denotes stress relief, much like a sigh a human might make during a massage.
Having said that, if you notice that your dog only makes the noise when you touch a certain spot, or it sounds more aggressive than normal, it may be a sign your dog is experiencing pain. Sometimes it’s just a scratch on their skin that’s sore when you touch it. If you can see the problem, no big deal. Just avoid touching the sore spot for a few days until it heals. If you can’t find the source of discomfort, it may be worth a visit to the vet.
Why Does My Dog Chuff When I Talk to Him?
This type of chuffing depends on your tone of voice and what you’re saying to your dog. If you are yelling at your dog for unrolling the toilet paper, it’s not quite the same as when you say, “Let’s go for a walk.”
If you are speaking to your dog in a happy, excited tone of voice, the chuffing sound is likely because they are excited too. If you’re talking in a serious tone, the noise is probably exhibiting stress. If you are scolding your dog for an accident or barking, the chuffing noise may be aggressive. We don’t mean aggressive in the sense that your dog is about to bite you, just that they aren’t happy about being yelled at.
Final Thoughts
What dogs mean when they make a chuffing noise depends on the context of the noise. Sometimes it means they are relaxed or excited. Other times it is a method of stress relief or a sign that they are feeling threatened and aggressive towards a situation. If you feel that your dog is chuffing because they are in pain or your dog is suddenly making the noise out of nowhere, it may be time to see your vet for further investigation.
