Why do dogs howl?

The howling of a dog can be intimidating. Especially if it is suddenly heard in the middle of the night. We still remember the old signs that say: the dog howls in misfortune. But in practice, everything is much more prosaic. We list the main causes of “bad” behavior and suggest methods to combat them.

Why a dog howls: reasons

• Instincts

No matter how tame the dog was, its ancestor was and remains the wolf. Howling is a way for wolves to communicate. The closer the dog is to the wolf, the more likely it is to decide to “howl at the moon.” For example, huskies are often “addicted” to howling. So dogs are looking for communication with their relatives, and perhaps they respond to the click of a fellow from the street, which the human ear simply did not catch.

What to do?

Diversify leisure time, do not let the dog get bored, divert its attention and reinforce training. Let your pet play with the dogs on the playground longer, communicate and play with him more often, practice the “Voice!” commands. and “Quiet!”. The next time your dog howls, distract him or give him a command. Don’t forget to reward with a treat!

• Longing for the owner, boredom, discontent

These are the most common reasons why dogs howl.

Does the dog howl at night? That’s right, the owners are sleeping, and she’s bored. 

– Neighbors complain about howling, but you never heard it? The dog howls when you are at work. Because it’s sad. 

Does the dog howl when the owner leaves for work? She tries to keep him. 

Is the dog howling in the yard? Well, what else could she do?

In 95% of cases, howling is an attempt to cope with boredom, longing, or to show dissatisfaction with the current situation.

What to do?

Try to provide the pet with the most interesting leisure time. The dog should not be bored, should not feel abandoned by the owner, should not be afraid of loneliness. The best helpers in this are toys that the pet can play on its own, without your participation. This is for example:

– textile toys like Kong Wild Knots or Aromadog (which, by the way, have a slight sedative effect),

– toys with various sound effects: squeakers, crunches (like bones and crispy Kong sticks),

– as the most reliable way to captivate a dog for a long time,

– toys that imitate objects that dogs simply love to gnaw (Dogwood sticks or Deerhorn deer antlers),

– for dogs with very strong jaws, and many others.

So that the dog does not lose interest in games, it should have several different toys and they need to be alternated periodically.

• Fear, intense stress

A pet can howl because it is very worried. Fire engine sirens, fireworks, thunder outside the window, house renovations – all these and many other irritants can cause the dog to start howling. This is how she expresses her fear, and in no case should she be punished for this.

What to do?

It remains to either wait, or, if possible, eliminate irritants. With severe and periodic stress, the dog should be given special sedatives. Your veterinarian will recommend them.

• Bad state of health

Howling can be caused by various ailments. Diseases are not always accompanied by other symptoms, and you may not be aware of them.

What to do?

If you think your pet is howling for no reason, visit a veterinarian as a preventive measure. This will be helpful anyway.

• Joy

Each dog is an individual. One joyfully licks the owner from head to toe, the other wags its tail with restraint, and the third may begin to howl. Your case?

What to do?

The problem is solved only by education. Practice the commands “Quiet!” and “No!”.

• Musicality

Some dogs dream of becoming opera divas or rock singers. They just love to sing. Any music that reaches their ears can be an occasion to howl properly. So what? Talent, as they say, you can’t hide!

What to do?

Rejoice! Unless, of course, the dog howls too much and does not disturb the neighbors. A singing pet is a matter of pride. With him you can create a real group, or you can just laugh at him from the heart!

But if howling is an inconvenience, the problem is solved by education. Reinforce the “Quiet!” command, listen to music with headphones, and during your music lessons, ask your family to take the dog for a walk – be creative.

Does your dog howl? How do you deal with the problem? Share your experience!