Why Do Dogs Howl?
There are few dog actions that are more iconic for dogs than howling… okay, maybe chasing their tails. But have you ever stopped to ask, why do dogs howl?
Not every dog does it, and some breeds are more prone to howling than others. If you’ve owned dogs, you probably have experience with dogs howling.
Below, we look at why dogs howl and how to treat this behavior.
Why Do Dogs Howl?
There are several reasons for dogs to howl. Some make perfect sense while some may not at first look. When asking why do dogs howl, remember that you won’t have the same mindset as a dog.
Take a look below at the reasons for why dogs howl.
Howling Lets Other Dogs Know Where They Are
Howling may be a leftover from the dog’s ancestry. Many ancient breeds of dog have very close matches with wolves. Wolves are known for their howl. You might remember seeing the iconic image of a wolf howling at the moon in television on a t-shirt at the mall. This is because wolves really do howl, but it’s not necessarily at the moon.
Wolves hunt in packs and a howl is very useful to let others know where all pack members are. A scout wolf may go ahead of the pack then howl to draw the rest of the pack to its location. While your dog might not be hunting wild animals, they may be howling to let other dogs know where they are.
Believe it or not, your dog gets to know their neighbors. They see them when they are on their walks, they smell them in the air, and they know when other dogs are around. Dogs will make friends with other dogs. And this in turn makes your dog part of a “pack” of sorts. If your dog sees other animals or points of interest, they may let out a howl to let others know.
Howling Marks a Dog’s Territory
Just like how your dog may make friends with their neighborhood dogs, they may just as well make enemies. You’ve probably seen this behavior. Your dog is lounging near a sunlit window. They’re calmly minding their own business and watching the birds flitter about. Then in an instant they’re anxious, they’re jumping around and begging to go outside.
This is a dog who feels their territory is in danger. They feel the need to go outside and defend that territory. They let out a howl to let that other dog know that they don’t belong.
As silly as this might be, it is one of the more utilitarian reasons to have a dog. The ability to spot potential danger and alert their pack to this danger is what ensured the survival of their pack. It’s also one of the attributes that ensured man and dog became good friends.
Once wild dogs started living with and taking care of humans, those humans in turn took care of the dog. The reciprocal relationship still exists today, with many people keeping guard dogs.
Dogs Howl for Attention
Maybe you’re wondering why do dogs howl because you’ve got a dog that just won’t keep quiet. For some dogs, howling is part of a learned behavior. Some dogs have learned that howling makes their owner give them attention.
If you find your dog howling, resist the urge to give them reassurance or cuddles. This may be rewarding your dog for bad behavior. A better option is to ignore your dog’s bad behavior and give them a reward when they do what is expected.
Dogs Howl for Bonding
Sometimes dogs seem to howl at the sound of a police siren or ambulance. Sometimes a dog seems to howl at certain music or television shows. It’s not very certain why dogs howl at these things, but one thought is that these sounds awaken something deep and wild within the dog.
There are even videos online of people singing or playing music only to have their dog start howling along. The dog may feel that they are developing an even deeper bond with you, while you might simply think they’re being annoying. Whatever the reason, some dogs seem to howl to be part of the group.
Dogs Howl from Pain
Probably the most obvious reason some dogs howl is when they are in pain. A howl is how dogs sometimes vocalize their pain, and if they’ve been injured be ready for it.
A howling dog may not be in physical pain, but mental pain as well. Many dogs with separation anxiety will howl when they know separation is coming or while separated. If you are separated from your dog for many hours at a time, it’s best to leave them with activities. Be sure to give them treats or toys that will help stimulate their mind while giving their teeth something to do.
Last Thoughts on Why Do Dogs Howl
Some breeds are just more prone to howling than others. These breeds include:
- Alaskan Malamutes
- American Eskimo Dogs
- Beagles
- Dachshunds
- Hounds
- Huskies
While these breeds are more likely to howl, it doesn’t mean that they will howl. Each dog is an individual, so they each have a unique personality.
You should also consider that a howling dog might not have a great reason for howling. A howling dog might use it to express sadness, happiness, fear or many other emotions. It’s the same for people. When someone succeeds, they may choose to pump their fists in the air while others seem to internalize their response.
Whatever the reason for howling, it’s just important to make certain your dog is safe. Once you know they are not in danger or emotional distress, you can work on rewards to reduce the frequency of howling.
While we went through a number of common reasons to answer the question, “why do dogs howl?” there are still many other reasons for this behavior. Each dog is as unique as each person, so it’s important to consider how you feel about this behavior. If you want to make it a less frequent occurrence, you may consider a reward system for your howler.