Why is My Dog Howling?

Although their character and physical appearance have been modified over the centuries thanks to domestication by man, the lovable dogs we know today are descended from wolves. Both animals still share many primitive features such as the desire to live in packs or to howl.

Therefore, one of the reasons why a dog howls is for communicating with its pack or with other dogs, just as wolves might do. It is a warning sound which tells other dogs that they are in another pack's area, announcing their presence and telling them to take caution. Equally, it can be a basic way to capture the attention of its own pack, including its owner(s).

When a dog howls it may want your attention, as it might do when it barks, especially if every time it makes this noise you comfort it. The dog knows that if it howls its owner will give it attention, so some dogs use it as a form of manipulation when barking or crying doesn't work. Excessive howling in these instances, therefore, might be either neediness or because they are distressed.

How many times have you heard a dog howling when its owners aren't home? Excessive barking or howling when left alone is a very common way for some animals to communicate. This is how a dog tells us it feels anxious being alone and separated from its owner.

Separation anxiety is a major problem for many pets, suffering extreme nervousness when its owners leave them alone to go to work or tend to their everyday business. This can cause destructive behaviour such as chewing furniture and household objects, or can make the animal spend all day barking and howling trying to contact its absent owner. This is not only stressful for the dog, but might make you unpopular in the neighborhood.

Leaving your dog suitable toys to entertain itself when you're gone and taking it out to play at least a couple of times a day is essential to minimize anxiety and give your pet the quality of life it deserves. Do not forget that dogs need physical activity to burn energy and encourage both physical and mental health.

Have you noticed that when a siren, or any other such loud noise, sounds, your dog can get quite agitated or vocal? This can be particularly difficult with high-pitched sounds to which the dog might be sensitive. This is because of a dog's acute sense of hearing which can even pick up on frequencies inaudible to humans.

When faced with these particular sounds, the animal identifies them as a similar call to a howl, so the pet might respond to or imitate these sounds as a sign of showing presence or a desire to communicate with its furry brethren. Researchers are not clear why this happens, but many believe it is due to the way in which the animal interprets these auditory frequencies.

This is perhaps when you should pay the most attention. If your dog has had a knock, or suffers a fall or injury, then begins to howl continuously, it is very likely that it is wounded or injured. In this case, it is important to take the animal to a vet for an immediate examination.

Similarly, if you notice that your dog is weak or lethargic, has stopped eating or is behaving in a strange or unusual way, howling might be the sign of an internal medical condition which needs attention. It is always advisable to take the dog to a vet to rule out any such conditions if you see your dog performing abnormal or incessant howling.

As it is difficult to tell whether you dog is howling from too much or too little attention, you will have to be very perceptive to its needs and emotions to solve any problematic howling behavior.

If you have other concerns for your dog's well being, you might want to check out these articles on How to Train Your Dog: 5 Tips or How to Teach Your Dog Not to Urinate at Home.

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