Why Do Dogs Howl?
Most dogs are not generally howlers. But some dogs does this anyhow. it might be when there’s a squirrel in the yard or when they hears high pitched noises or even does it when they are sleeping (dream howling is what I like to call it).
So, why do dogs howl anyway? Why do some dogs howl all the time, while others continue to bark and whine? Next, we'll take a look at why dogs howl, why some dogs howl more than others, and what types of howls are cause for concern.
Howling is a form of voice communication for dogs, just like barking and whining. It is a natural instinct left over from their wolf ancestors that was used to communicate with the pack. Wolves howl to communicate with each other, and this behavior has carried over to our dogs. Here are some of the common reasons dogs howl:
While most of the above reasons are not very important, there are several types of howls that cause anxiety - howling during separation and howling as a way of expressing pain or discomfort. Below we take a closer look at the reasons why our dogs howl and what types of howling cause concern.
One of the most common reasons for howling is to draw attention to a change in circumstances. If your dog looks out the window and sees an intruder in the yard, he may howl, signaling an alarm. In this context, it is a defense mechanism - a way to make sure their family or flock is aware of changing circumstances, and a way to ward off approaching predators.
Some dogs will howl in response to certain sounds, including other dogs howling or high-pitched sounds like alarms. My dog Laika howls in response to a variety of things, including the harmonica or singing. Some dogs are more likely to howl in response to noise than others, while others prefer to bark.
Mermaids in particular are quite common, as you can see in the video below. If you want your dog to howl, you can try watching the video below. However, if he already has a howl at home, you can lower the volume.
Some dogs howl in response to pain or discomfort to indicate something is wrong. Howling can be caused by illness or injury, so if your dog starts howling more often (or unexpectedly) and you don't see a direct cause, it's time to make an appointment with your vet.
Does your dog howl freaks out at your neighbors when you're at work? If your dog howls when he is away from home, there is a cause for concern: he may have separation anxiety. Separation anxiety occurs when dogs feel uncomfortable and anxious when they are away from their owners.
Some dogs howl to get in touch with a lost pack or family members, which is why this is often seen in dogs with separation anxiety. This is often accompanied by other symptoms of separation anxiety, such as drooling, stimulation, destructive behavior, or inner isolation.
Tip: If your dog is howling and worrying when she leaves for work, check out this guide to managing separation anxiety. This can be a difficult problem and unfortunately gets worse over time if not addressed properly. If your dog shows signs of anxiety when she walks away, I recommend that you contact a trainer or behaviorist in her area.
Some dogs howl more than others and some just keep barking. Some are dog specific and some are breed specific. Just as some breeds are known for their barking, some breeds are prone to howling. Huskies, German Shepherds, and dogs (and many other dogs) tend to howl more than others.
Some dogs howl in response to certain sounds (usually high-pitched sounds). If you want your dog to howl, you can try howling yourself or watching videos of dogs howling or siren sounds.
What makes your dog howl? Do they howl at the sound or sirens or when someone knocks on the door? Does your dog howl the moment you start singing or is it just me? I always assumed this was Laika's special form: "Hey ma'am, you know you really don't know, right?"
So, why do dogs howl anyway? Why do some dogs howl all the time, while others continue to bark and whine? Next, we'll take a look at why dogs howl, why some dogs howl more than others, and what types of howls are cause for concern.
Why do dogs howl?
Howling is a form of voice communication for dogs, just like barking and whining. It is a natural instinct left over from their wolf ancestors that was used to communicate with the pack. Wolves howl to communicate with each other, and this behavior has carried over to our dogs. Here are some of the common reasons dogs howl:
- Establishing contact with others
- Distress alarm
- Predator warning
- To attract attention
- In response to high noises
- Pain or discomfort
- Fear of separation
When to fear howling
While most of the above reasons are not very important, there are several types of howls that cause anxiety - howling during separation and howling as a way of expressing pain or discomfort. Below we take a closer look at the reasons why our dogs howl and what types of howling cause concern.
Howl to sound an alarm / attract attention.
One of the most common reasons for howling is to draw attention to a change in circumstances. If your dog looks out the window and sees an intruder in the yard, he may howl, signaling an alarm. In this context, it is a defense mechanism - a way to make sure their family or flock is aware of changing circumstances, and a way to ward off approaching predators.
Howl in response to high-pitched sounds.
Some dogs will howl in response to certain sounds, including other dogs howling or high-pitched sounds like alarms. My dog Laika howls in response to a variety of things, including the harmonica or singing. Some dogs are more likely to howl in response to noise than others, while others prefer to bark.
Mermaids in particular are quite common, as you can see in the video below. If you want your dog to howl, you can try watching the video below. However, if he already has a howl at home, you can lower the volume.
Howls in response to pain or discomfort.
Some dogs howl in response to pain or discomfort to indicate something is wrong. Howling can be caused by illness or injury, so if your dog starts howling more often (or unexpectedly) and you don't see a direct cause, it's time to make an appointment with your vet.
Howling caused by separation anxiety
Does your dog howl freaks out at your neighbors when you're at work? If your dog howls when he is away from home, there is a cause for concern: he may have separation anxiety. Separation anxiety occurs when dogs feel uncomfortable and anxious when they are away from their owners.
Some dogs howl to get in touch with a lost pack or family members, which is why this is often seen in dogs with separation anxiety. This is often accompanied by other symptoms of separation anxiety, such as drooling, stimulation, destructive behavior, or inner isolation.
Tip: If your dog is howling and worrying when she leaves for work, check out this guide to managing separation anxiety. This can be a difficult problem and unfortunately gets worse over time if not addressed properly. If your dog shows signs of anxiety when she walks away, I recommend that you contact a trainer or behaviorist in her area.
Why do some dogs howl more than others?
Some dogs howl more than others and some just keep barking. Some are dog specific and some are breed specific. Just as some breeds are known for their barking, some breeds are prone to howling. Huskies, German Shepherds, and dogs (and many other dogs) tend to howl more than others.
Some dogs howl in response to certain sounds (usually high-pitched sounds). If you want your dog to howl, you can try howling yourself or watching videos of dogs howling or siren sounds.
What makes your dog howl?
What makes your dog howl? Do they howl at the sound or sirens or when someone knocks on the door? Does your dog howl the moment you start singing or is it just me? I always assumed this was Laika's special form: "Hey ma'am, you know you really don't know, right?"
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