No matter the breed, age, or temperament, all dogs howl. Some howl a little. Some howl a lot. Some howl louder. Some howl longer. But they all howl.
Why do dogs howl?
Like many canine behaviors, howling has ancestral roots. In the wild, safety-conscious wolves in the woods bellowed to announce their location to other members of their pack family. Brave wolves howled to warn other wild animals to stay away from their territory. Your dog may not howl to pinpoint their whereabouts or keep intruders at bay, but now, as in generations past, dogs howl as a form of communication. Since dogs are part of their human families, it is important to understand what dogs are trying to communicate when they howl, so you can respond appropriately.
What are dogs saying when they howl?
Some basic messages a howling dog may communicate include:
“I am alert and responsive to my environment.”
Many dogs howl when stimulated by certain high pitched sounds like sirens and music, or in response to another dog’s vocalizations. Howling acknowledges that they hear the sound and express their readiness to respond or desire to join in the action. If your dog’s howling is triggered by auditory stimulation, chances are he stops when the sound stops (when you turn off the music, he stops singing along). This type of howling isn’t usually troublesome unless the triggers occur often and become a nuisance for you or your neighbors.
“I’m over here! Come this way.”
In the wild, part of the canine pack stays home while other members scout the area for food. Howling is a form of communication that helps members of the pack find each other. Dogs that remain behind vocalize to signal the location of home base and guide scouting members back to safety. After being left home alone, a dog may howl when they hear you drive up to your house or when they spot you climbing the steps in an attempt to guide you safely back to them.
“Stay away from here.”
Some dogs howl to keep intruders outside their territory. Howling signals to incoming dogs that a particular area is already claimed and visitors aren’t welcome. Howling is a good defense mechanism that wards off potential predators. As dogs protect thier homes, they may howl when a visitor approaches their territory.
“Here I am.”
On the flip side, an approaching dog may howl to alert residing dogs that they are coming. This vocal announcement prevents an incoming dog from startling current inhabitants of an area. Howling alerts surrounding dogs that their environment is about to change.
“I want some attention!”
Some dogs howl to communicate their need for attention. Nothing quite gets the attention of a dog owner like a piercing howl, so the ploy works. This verbal canine manipulation can become bothersome, so humans must learn not to reward vocal demands. Try to avoid eye contact and resist the urge to approach a howling dog. Don’t pet him or talk to him but don’t scold him either. Some dogs, like some children, will do anything for attention, even negative attention, so reprimanding your dog may make the situation worse. When he quiets down, give him the attention he craves. This is difficult to do, especially if you are concerned about disturbing the neighbors, but persistence pays off. To help your dog stop howling for attention, try to reward only quiet behavior. Give him hugs or treats randomly when he is quiet and withhold anything he “asks for” by howling.
“I’m really nervous!”
You are the world to your dog.. They focus on your activities, and make a big deal of your arrivals and departures. They are sometimes so centered on you that they become very anxious when you are not with them. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, he may howl when left alone. Howling due to separation anxiety only occurs when the dog is separated from his owner, so as soon as you come home, the howling stops. Dogs with separation anxiety may exhibit other behaviors such inappropriate eliminations, constant pacing, destruction of furniture and flooring, or self-mutilation. Often dogs with separation anxiety respond well to distractions such as chew toys, music or television, but other dogs need behavior medications and counseling sessions that teach both dog and owner how to handle the situation (see article Separation Anxiety in Dogs).
“I’m hurt.”
Some howls cannot be ignored. If your normally quiet dog begins howling, he may be injured. People cry when they are hurt, and dogs do too. Dogs will howl to vocalize pain. Bring your dog to your veterinarian to rule out illness or injury.
“Look what I found!”
Howling can actually be a cheer. Dogs in the wild howl when they corner prey, and domestic hunting dogs are often trained to mimic their ancestors. Your dog may not be a hunter, but he may get excited when he finds a new treasure in his backyard. Whatever the prize, howling lets you know your dog is proud of a new discovery.
Howling is your dog’s way of communicating with you and the world. They howl to get attention, make contact with other dogs, and announce their presence. Howling is instinctual and can be natural or triggered by an underlying problem. Some dogs respond to high-pitched sounds like emergency sirens or musical instruments by howling. Excessive howling can be a sign that your dog is in trouble.
There could be a variety of reasons that your dog is howling. Howling can be a symptom of separation anxiety. Your neighbors may complain of excessive howling while you’re away or at work. If your dog is left alone or away from their owner, they may also pace constantly, have destructive behavior, soil the house, or have depression.
Acting out because of separation anxiety should not be punished harshly. Instead, identify the problem and make arrangements for your dog to feel safe and secure in their home. If your dog has separation anxiety, they are constantly in distress while they are alone. This could be triggered by one person leaving them or spending too much time outside away from the family.
There may be a medical reason behind your dog's howl. If your dog suddenly starts howling frequently, that may be them telling you they’re hurt or sick. Look for signs or causes of your dog's distress. If you can't find anything you should schedule a visit to the vet to rule out illness or injury.
Howling in response to sounds. If your dog howls when they hear a high-pitch sound from an emergency vehicle, they are telling everyone that they hear the sound and are ready to respond. It’s their instinctual way to say that they’re aware of their surroundings.
Desensitization and counterconditioning. If the howling is based on how your dog feels about a situation you’ll need to change their motivation and feelings. This isn’t easy to do, but can be accomplished through consistency and perseverance.
Desensitization and counterconditioning are common treatments for fears, anxiety, phobias, and aggression. The goal is to get your dog to change their mind or feelings about a certain trigger. If you are having trouble with the treatment, a licensed Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) can assist you.
If your dog howls, whines or barks to get your attention. Some dogs will pick up on the fact that they can get your attention by howling. They may be trying to alert you to perceived danger, or just get you to fill their food bowl. Either way, they are trying to communicate with you. It may seem cute at first, but when it persists you may need to train them to redirect their intentions.
Persistent howling can be annoying to you and your neighbors. Try to ignore your dog’s attention-seeking howl and make them feel invisible. This technique tells your dog that their howling doesn't work. Another training tactic is to reward quiet behavior. When your dog is being well-behaved and not responding to outside sounds or triggers give them a treat or special toy. It’s difficult to notice your dog doing nothing, but rewarding this behavior shows them the right way to get your attention.
It may also be helpful to teach your dog to make sound when you ask them to. For instance, you can train your dog to bark or howl when you say, "Speak!" and to quiet down when you say "Quiet!" Offer your dog praise when they obey your commands, slowly adjusting your standards to push them to stay quiet for longer stretches of time before you give them a treat.
Spend time with your dog. Excessive howling may indicate that your dog is lonely. Dogs are man's best friend because they are social, just like us! If your dog is left alone for many hours, they may get anxious and sad. When you return home, give your dog plenty of love and attention. Take them on walks, work on tricks or training, and let them spend more quality time with you indoors. Playing with them strengthens your bond and alleviates their stress.
Finding help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) if you can't get your dog’s howling under control. If you think your dog is reacting to strangers, other dogs, or family members in a negative way, it may be time to contact a specialist. They can assist you in finding the right treatment for your dog's howling.