Why Do Dogs Howl?

No matter where you live, you have certainly heard the unmistakable sound of dogs howling – RAOOOOOOOOUL! Plenty of movies portray talking dogs howling to communicate with each other. But what is the real reason that dogs howl? Are they trying to communicate with their owners or sending some signals to their companions? Or is it simply a genetic remnant of their wolf ancestry? While there is no certain reason for why dogs howl, however researchers have come up with some factors that make dogs howl. Here are some interesting reasons.

Community Organizing & Home Beacon

In the wild, feral dogs howl in order to bring scouts back after a hunt. They remain behind to howl and guide other dogs about the location of their base. Dogs howling acts as a vocal homing beacon, letting far-roaming scout dogs know where their original pack is. Pet dog howling at home can be a similar expression, especially if they are left alone all day. Dogs howl to beckon their loved ones back home.

Boundary Demarcation & Defense Mechanism

Dogs howl to signal other dogs that the area they are entering has been already occupied. Howling dogs alert their community about the encroachment and changing circumstances. In such a situation, it acts as a defense mechanism, warding off trespassers and ensuring the safety of the territory and other dogs in the pack. In a domestic setting, like your home, dogs howl for various reasons, including if they saw some stranger entering the house or a new car pulls up in the driveway.

Attract Attention

A howling dog may simply want attention. Domesticated dogs like having the attention of their owners. They howl to express their separation anxiety, particularly if left unattended for extended periods of time. Dogs that don’t have sufficient toys to play or entertain them in your absence get sad and depressed. If you pay attention to your dog when it howls, chances are it will learn to do it for gaining your attention time and again.

Illness & Pain

Howling can also indicate that your dog is sick or hurt. Dogs howl to vocalize pain. For example, our pet sitting team often notice dogs howling at various frequencies to signify some physical pain. If you notice your dog howling continuously for no apparent reason, it is advised to take it to a veterinarian so that you can figure out the unseen illness or injury.

Sound Response

Dogs also howl in response to certain sounds, including an ambulance or police siren. In such situation, the howling usually stops when the sound stops. Desensitization and counter conditioning are two common treatments for excessive howling related to fear, anxiety, phobias and aggression. While there isn’t any certain reason why specific sounds trigger the dog howling. Maybe they are trying to imitate such noises or just responding to them.

Other Reasons Why Dogs Howl

Loneliness is a major reason dogs howl. But, sometimes, when a certain music is played or you start signing at the piano, your dog may want to join you. After all, the dog is a part of your family and should be able to join the fun. Howling can also be a sign of happiness and joy. It may seem mysterious to you, but it’s your dog’s way of communicating with their environment.

If you want to gain more information about why your dog howls more than usual, consult your veterinarian.