Dogs make a number of noises to indicate a range of wants, needs, and moods, but a dog’s howl is unambiguous in its expression of one particular need or want. Typically, though, the reason for his shrieking is less obvious. So, what is the reason for a dog’s howl? We’ve got the inside scoop.
What Causes Dogs to Howl?
Howling has become a deeply entrenched characteristic for many people. The howl of a dog is comparable to that of a wolf in that it is a loud, drawn-out, sad wail. An example of this is a bark, which is often short and explosive.
Some of the same reasons that wolves howl can be attributed to howling in dogs.
However, as dogs have evolved and become more familiar with humans, it is possible that some of the causes for their howling have also evolved. A number of factors can cause your dog to howl, including:
To send a signal to the rest of the pack:
Dogster explains that, like wolves, dogs howl to aid members of the pack in finding their way back home.
Wild dogs who run in actual packs, as well as domestic dogs who see their human relatives and caregivers as members of their pack, demonstrate this tendency to form social groups.
This may explain why your dog cries after you or another member of your family has been gone from home for an extended period of time.
To ward off predators and make their area known, they do the following:
Dogs use howling to communicate with rival dogs and prospective predators that their territory is theirs and to warn them to stay away.
This could explain why a howling dog can set off a chain reaction of wailing dogs throughout the neighbourhood – they’re all trying to communicate with one another about who is in control of whose territory.
In response to background noise:
Your dog may howl in response to a nearby siren, a musical instrument, a sound on the television, or even your own singing in response to the stimulus.
While this could indicate that he is complaining because he does not like the noise, it could also indicate that he enjoys it and wishes to participate!
To communicate one’s emotional distress:
According to Rover, dogs may howl to convey fear, worry, or melancholy, as well as to signal their want for comfort. When their owners leave them alone, dogs suffering from separation anxiety frequently scream.
To express bodily discomfort:
In the same way, dogs who are in bodily agony or discomfort may scream to alert their owners that they require assistance.
Even if the cause of your dog’s howling is unclear, it’s a good idea to get him checked for signs of dog pain to rule out other possibilities.
IF HE CONTINUES TO HOWL AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF HIS DISTRESS, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN.
Furthermore, you’ll probably observe that your dog enjoys tilting his head to the sky in order to release this vocalization. It is known that dogs tilt their heads for a number of reasons, but there is little research available on why they might “howl at the moon.”
Many people believe that this is due to the fact that it straightens up the vocal cords and allows for more airflow from the chest, which allows them to produce this form of vocalization.
Alternatively, others believe that it allows the sound waves to travel further, allowing more canines or animals to be aware that they are present.
Dogs that are most likely to howl are as follows:
Even though howling is prevalent among all dogs, some breeds are more likely than others to howl at the same time, according to Dogster.
Several hound breeds, such as dachshunds, beagles, basset hounds, and bloodhounds, as well as huskies, Alaskan malamutes, and American Eskimo dogs, are more likely to howl than other dogs.
It is also possible for dogs to grow more vocal as they age, according to Rover. This is especially true for elderly dogs that become confused due to dementia or loss of vision or hearing.
How to Teach a Dog Not to Howl
Because dogs might howl for a variety of reasons, training them to stop howling takes a variety of approaches.
In circumstances of discomfort or as a direct reaction of a noise, the howling is likely to be infrequent enough that training isn’t required.
However, if your dog is particularly adept at rousing the rest of the neighbourhood into a howling chorus at night, you may wish to consider training him or her.
Because howling is a learned behaviour, it may take more time to train them to quit howling in the first place. If your dog screams, never punish him because dogs are incapable of understanding why they are in distress.
Instead, reward him for positive conduct — in this case, when he stops wailing, show him plenty of affection and give him a treat every now and then.
When your dog begins to howl, you can divert his focus to something more constructive by saying something encouraging.
So, what causes dogs to howl?
In fact, it turns out that there are numerous causes for this. One thing appears to be clear, however: when your dog howls, it is generally merely a request for your attention!