Last Updated on March 31, 2024 by themubbi63
You might have often wondered why dogs howl? Is it some kind of primitive instinct? Are they trying to communicate something to you by howling? Are they just upset or in pain? Is it normal or should you be concerned? Well, there’s actually a variety of reasons that your dog might be howling. After all, they’re descended from wolves and wolves are pretty vocal animals. They communicate via howling. So does your dog.
6 Times Popular Times When Dog Howls:
Why do dogs howl together?
Dogs howl together as a form of communication and social bonding. It can signal their presence to other dogs, establish territory, or coordinate group activities.
Why do dogs howl at sirens?
Dogs may howl at sirens due to their instinctual response to loud, high-pitched sounds. They may perceive sirens as similar to howling or may join in due to the excitement generated by the noise.
Why do dogs howl at night?
Dogs may howl at night as a response to stimuli such as other animals, unfamiliar noises, or simply to communicate with other dogs. It can also be a way for them to express loneliness or seek companionship.
Why do dogs howl together?
Dogs howl together as a form of social behavior. It strengthens bonds within the pack and reinforces their sense of unity and cooperation.
Why do dogs howl when alone?
Dogs may howl when alone as a response to separation anxiety, seeking attention, or attempting to communicate distress. Howling can serve as a means to express their feelings of isolation or to call for companionship.
Why do dogs howl during the day?
Dogs may howl during the day for various reasons, such as responding to external stimuli, communicating with other dogs or animals, expressing boredom, or simply as a natural part of their behaviour.
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Top Reasons Why Your Dog Howls
I Am Here
Howling isn’t always a sign that something is wrong. Some breeds, the more ancient kinds like Siberian Huskies or Tibetan Mastiffs which are more closely related to wolves, are more prone to howling than newer breeds of dogs like Golden Retrievers. That’s just how they instinctively vocalize.
A lot of the time, your dog might be howling at the sound of another dog. It’s their way of asserting their presence. Whether the dog is at home and can hear the approach of another canine or is on a walk and approaching a residence where another dog stays, it’s just the dog’s way of announcing that it’s there.
This might not always be negative. Sometimes the two dogs are just communicating with each other in a way that doesn’t alarm their owners. But it might be unnerving to hear for the first time.
It Wants Attention
Dogs are pretty attention seeking. They usually want you to play with them and fawn on them. If you’re preoccupied with other things and have no time to lavish on your dog, it might get restless and start howling. They’re perfectly aware that this piercing sound will distract you and get you to pay attention. Dogs are extremely clever and they can be quite manipulative in their own way.
However, the trick is to not react. If you do pay them attention at this moment, it’ll become learned behavior and they’ll continue doing it. If you approach the dog, you’re just reinforcing bad behavior. You should instead ignore the dog and not make eye contact. Don’t scold them because even negative attention is attention. Rather, wait until they quiet down to pay them attention.
It’s In Pain
Most dogs whimper when they’re in pain but howling might also be a sign that something is wrong. It might be trying to communicate to you that it’s sick or in pain. If so, it’s best to examine your dog and see if it’s showing any other signs of hurt, such as limping, refusing food, excessively licking some part of its body. It might be best to schedule an appointment with the vet in such a case.
If your normally quiet dog who doesn’t usually howl starts indulging in this behavior, then you should absolutely be alert. It’s like the crying of a child when they get hurt. Dogs can’t speak to us in our language so we have to become well-versed in the ways that they can communicate with us.
It’s Responding To a Noise
Dogs sometimes howl when they try to respond to high-pitched noises like music or sirens. For your dog, these sounds might just feel similar to howls so it’s trying to join the chorus (just like his wolf ancestors would have done once upon a time).
If you’ve switched on some music and your dog is howling to certain instruments, your dog might just be singing along. It’s likely to stop when the triggering sound stops, for example, as soon as you switch off the music. Or as soon as the siren is out of hearing range.
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This generally isn’t a problem unless it happens too often. There’s no indication that dogs are disturbed or agitated by these sounds. They’re just joining in because their instincts tell them this is similar to howling.
Separation Anxiety
Finally, one of the most concerning cases is separation anxiety. If you have to leave your dog alone for a number of hours while you’re at work and your neighbors report that it keeps howling during that time, there’s reason to be worried. Your dog is feeling upset and anxious. It howls because it misses you.
Dogs are extremely social creatures. They depend upon you for every little thing and you’re the center of their universe. Your leaving them alone for hours on end might feel like the end of the world to the dog. In such cases, howling might be accompanied by destructive behavior, constant pacing and a lack of appetite.
Separation anxiety in dogs is a very real problem that needs to be dealt with. Sometimes, giving them an adequate number of chew toys and keeping them occupied by music or television works. But some dogs might need therapy or counselling. Try to spend as much time with your dog while you’re at home as you can. Take them for walks and play with them so they feel more secure.
Conclusion
Dogs howl for a variety of reasons, just like humans use words to communicate. Understanding these reasons can help you decipher your dog’s message and respond appropriately. Whether it’s a social greeting, a call for attention, or a sign of anxiety, a little detective work can help you build a stronger bond with your furry friend.
FAQs
Should I worry if my dog howls at sirens?
Not necessarily! It’s an instinctual response to high-pitched sounds. If it’s constant, consult a vet to rule out anxiety.
How can I stop my dog from howling excessively?
First, address the underlying cause. If it’s boredom, provide more exercise and mental stimulation. If it’s separation anxiety, gradually increase alone time and create a positive association with your departure. Never reward howling with attention. Instead, wait for a quiet moment to praise and reward them. In some cases, consult a professional dog trainer for personalized guidance.
Is howling more common in certain breeds?
Yes! Breeds like Huskies, Malamutes, and Shiba Inus are more prone to howling due to their close ancestry to wolves. These breeds use howling more naturally for communication.