Why do dogs start howling

Another reason a dog may howl is because they have anxiety, specifically, separation anxiety. The best course of action for dealing with dogs with separation anxiety is to seek help from a veterinarian that specializes in behavior issues.

Visit the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists to find a behavior specialist near you. Howling was a form of location-detection for wolves. They would use howling to locate their pack members or tell other wolves to stay out of their territory.

If you wish to discourage dogs from howling due to certain noises, the most effective method is through a behavior-conditioning technique known as desensitization and counterconditioning.

To try desensitization, you will have to apply a lesser form of the noise. Eventually, a dog will lose interest in the noise, and the howling response should stop. You can also use counterconditioning by providing a reward when your dog is calm. Although all dogs can howl, there are some dog breeds that are prone to howling—the Husky , Beagle , Alaskan Malamute , Redbone Coonhound , Bloodhound , etc. And some dogs will go their whole lives without howling.

Typically, dogs that howl the most are working or sporting dog breeds. They enjoy having a job, and howling plays a role in that—hunting dogs, herding dogs, sled dogs, and so on. If your puppy starts howling, you need to address their needs.

Be patient with puppy howling. With time you will know the difference between these reasons for puppy howling and loneliness.

As the sound gets closer, she becomes more agitated and excited until, finally, as it nears you and passes by, your pooch lets loose a glorious howl with head thrown back like she is a wolf out in the desert. Even though you coax her to stop, she continues to howl until the siren has passed by and can no longer be heard. There are a number of key reasons why dogs howl. By learning what makes dogs howl, you can better understand the care you need to give to your beloved pup.

Once again, this is part of dog ancestry. For domesticated dogs, this may translate to howling at certain sounds, objects or other dogs. A common behavior you may have noticed with your dog is his howling at certain sounds like sirens. Another reason for dogs howling at sirens may be that your dog is protecting you from what he believes is a threat.

His howling is a way of communicating with you to let you know there is danger in the area. If, however, your dog is showing other symptoms of illness, it may be a sign of dog injury or sickness. In some cases, a dog sickness or injury may be expressed through howling. Dogs who are ill or injured likely will howl frequently or in a shrieking manner.

Additionally, your dog may experience other symptoms such as loss of appetite, labored breathing, weight loss or constant licking at his wounds. If you think your dog is howling due to medical causes, it is best to take him to a vet for a checkup. Dog howling could be a sign of a dog injury or dog sickness and consequently should be taken seriously. If your dog tends to howl every time you leave the house, it is most likely a sign that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety.

Unlike a joyful, excited howl, a dog with separation anxiety will persistently howl as soon as he senses you are leaving him alone. A dog's howl, similar to a wolf's, is a loud, drawn-out, mournful cry. It differs from a bark, which is typically brief and explosive. A dog may howl for some of the same reasons wolves do. However, as dogs have evolved and grown closer to humans, some of their reasons for howling may have also evolved.

Here are several reasons why your dog might howl:. You'll also probably notice that your dog likes to tilt his head to the sky to let out this vocalization. There are a variety of reasons why dogs will tilt their heads , but there is little information on why dogs might "howl at the moon.

Others speculate that it allows the sound waves to travel further, allowing more dogs or creatures know they are there. While howling is common among all dogs, some breeds are more likely to howl than others, says Dogster. Those more likely to howl include several hound breeds, including dachshunds , beagles , basset hounds and bloodhounds , as well as huskies , Alaskan malamutes and American Eskimo dogs.

Dogs may also howl more as they get older — this is especially true of senior dogs who become confused due to dementia or loss of vision or hearing, says Rover. Because dogs might howl for a number of reasons, training them to not howl varies. In cases of pain or direct result of a noise, the howling is probably infrequent enough that training is not necessary. But if your dog is great at inciting the rest of the neighborhood into a howling chorus at night, you may want to train them.

Because howling is a behavioral trait, it may take more time to teach them to stop howling. Never discipline a dog that howls because dogs rarely understand why they are in trouble. Instead, reward his good behavior — in this case, when he stops howling give him lots of love or the occasional treat. You can also redirect his attention to something more productive when he begins to howl. So, why do dogs howl? It turns out there are a plethora of reasons.

One thing seems certain, though: When your pup howls, it often simply means he wants your attention! Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet parent, pet blogger and novelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she usually writes under the supervision of a lapful of furbabies.

Select Your Region. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Youtube. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement.

About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool. Belgium - Belgique.