All dogs howl. Sure, some don’t do it often, while others do it all the time. There are dogs that howl loudly and for long periods, and there are those that howl quietly and quickly. Whatever their age, breed, or temperament, however, if the animal is a dog, they can and will definitely howl.
But what’s the reason behind this sometimes adorable, sometimes annoying behavior? What message is a howling dog trying to convey to their family?
Keep reading, because we’ll be answering these questions and more in today’s article!
When the Inner Wolf Comes Out
Wolves howl. Like a lot.
Well, dogs descended from wolves, which is why both creatures share many traits. So if it’s normal for wolves to howl, howling is also natural doggy behavior.
However, some dog breeds are genetically more closely related to wolves than others. Examples include the Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Husky, Shiba Inu, and Akita, who have a greater tendency to howl than other breeds. Nevertheless, all dog breeds howl – including the calmer ones and those that barely resemble wolves.
A howl could mean different things depending on the situation. With that in mind, let’s look at the main reasons why dogs howl.
The 9 Reasons Dogs Howl
Dogs can’t speak like we humans do, so they “talk” to other dogs using body language. Of course, they also use a wide range of vocalizations for the same purpose.
Our canine friends not only howl but also whine, bark, and growl to get their message across to any dog that’s listening. But what is a dog trying to say when they howl?
Let’s find out!
1. They want the pack back together
Wolves howl for various reasons. In many cases, they do it to strengthen the unity within their pack.
Dogs do the same thing; when one’s pack – which includes their human owners and fellow pets – becomes separated, the dog howls to tell their family that they want everyone back together.
Therefore, one of the main reasons a dog howls is to tell their family members to return home so the pack can be reunited. This explains why a dog may howl if you leave the house or take away their favorite canine pal.
2. They’re alerting others to their presence
Dogs howl to tell other dogs, “I’m here!”
Are you taking your dog home after a long walk? Then expect them to howl as they approach your house or as soon as they enter the door.
If Rover is approaching his home, he may howl to alert his pack of his imminent arrival. This allows him to avoid startling the others. And by telling them that they aren’t being invaded by a stranger or predator, he can also make them feel safe. In addition, this behavior lets Rover inform his family that change is coming soon to their environment.
But even dogs who aren’t familiar with each other may begin a chorus of howling. When your pooch starts singing the song of their people, another dog living in a house at the opposite end of the street may echo their howl as if to say, “I hear you, and I’m howling back at you to let you know that I exist and that I live over here!”
3. They’re announcing their ownership of territory
Like wolves, dogs are territorial creatures; as such, they don’t appreciate it when other dogs enter an area they’ve claimed as their own.
When Fido howls, he could therefore be signaling to nearby dogs that they’re encroaching upon his territory. He’s warning these outsiders that if they don’t back off, he’s willing to fight them off.
This behavior could be accompanied by other defensive behaviors, such as growling and barking, which usually intensify the closer the interloper gets.
Howling could also be an attempt to ward off other animals and strange humans, which explains why Lassie would howl when an unfamiliar car parks in front of her humans’ house.
4. They miss their owner
As discussed earlier, dogs howl when they want their pack to become one, cohesive unit again. So if you go out of the house and leave your dog at home, they’ll feel like you’re breaking away from that family unit, which makes them unhappy. Thus, howling is their way of begging you to return to them and the family.
With training, a dog can become more confident that you won’t vanish forever just because you’ve left the house. However, some dogs, especially those suffering from separation anxiety, have a tougher time dealing with such partings. Their anxiety can then encourage destructive behaviors, such as freaking out (which may include frantic howling) any time you approach the front door, and chewing on the furniture whenever you’re outside.
If your dog has separation anxiety, we recommend having a veterinarian and/or animal behaviorist treat them. The former can prescribe anti-anxiety medication to calm your pooch down, while the latter can boost their confidence and help them unlearn unwanted behaviors.
5. They’re expressing positive emotions
When a dog is happy and excited, they howl to express such positive emotions. This is why some dogs howl when they’re with their buddies or when their owners arrive home. Think of it as a cheer!
Different breeds celebrate different things. For example, dogs bred to hunt – such as basset hounds, foxhounds, and beagles – find fulfillment and pride in locating prey. Thus, they howl when they’ve sighted or cornered their target to share the good news of their accomplishment with their human hunting partners. Other dogs express their joy after discovering something new and fascinating, such as a strange object in their humans’ backyard.
6. They’re doing their job
In wolf packs, individuals have specific roles. For example, some explore their surroundings to see if there’s any danger nearby; if they do find something notable, they’ll howl to let their pack back at home know about it. The pack leader then howls to alert other pack members of potential threats and to order the scouts to return home. In short, these animals howl to alert others of danger and provide a homing beacon to individuals far from home.
Domesticated dogs retain their pack mentality and therefore howl for similar reasons. If your doggo is howling in your backyard, maybe they’re warning you about an animal (or a human) that they perceive as dangerous lurking outside your property. If you’re outside, maybe your dog howls to warn you about these possible threats.
7. They’re responding to external stimuli
Sometimes, dogs howl as a response to an environmental trigger. For instance, the shrill siren of an approaching police car, ambulance, or fire engine could make a dog howl. Interestingly enough, these noises can even encourage a dog who has never heard a siren before to howl.
It remains unknown why dogs react to sirens this way. It’s possible they mistake these sounds for the howling of other canines (read our article, “Why Do Dogs Howl at Sirens?” for more information).
Dogs don’t respond to sirens only, however. Any sound can prompt howling, including a song on the radio or the sound of a musical instrument. This is why we have adorable phenomena such as dogs singing along to crooners and the plinking of piano keys!
8. They want attention
Like people, dogs have emotional and social needs. Maybe your dog wants to play with you. Maybe they miss your touch and they want you to pet them. Or maybe they feel neglected and wish to cuddle with you.
Of course, a dog may have other needs. For example, one may want to be fed, while another may need your help to fetch the ball they accidentally kicked under the couch.
Whatever your dog needs, one of the most effective ways to gain your attention is to howl.
Unless you want your neighbors complaining about noise pollution, we don’t suggest encouraging your dog to howl. Therefore, we recommend ignoring your pooch anytime time they howl for attention-seeking purposes. Don’t pet them, talk to them, scold them, or even make eye contact with them while they’re doing this. Only once your pooch has calmed down should you reward them (with treats, hugs, and/or praise), then give them the attention they’re craving.
Keep in mind, however, that you should take your dog’s howling seriously if they’re trying to inform you they’re not feeling well. This brings us to our next point…
9. They feel unwell
If you’ve ever witnessed a dog howling during a fireworks display, there’s a good chance they were expressing their fear of loud explosions.
This is because a dog who’s feeling unwell may howl. So if your pet is ill, injured, nervous, or anxious, don’t be surprised if they start making a racket.
It isn’t always easy to tell when howling is an indication your dog is in physical or emotional pain, however. Therefore, it’s a good idea to examine a howling dog for other signs of trouble, including strange behaviors and symptoms of health issues.
For example, if your pooch keeps howling, and you discover they’re also pacing and digging holes in the backyard, then they could be experiencing severe stress, anxiety, and fear. On the other hand, a howling dog who keeps scratching and licking themselves until their skin becomes bloody with wounds may be experiencing an allergic reaction.
Do you suspect your dog is ill? Then take them to the veterinarian for examination and treatment. Once they start feeling better, their howling will be greatly reduced.
If their issue is psychological and emotional, then you should make an effort to spend more time with your pooch. Play games with them, walk them daily, cuddle with them, and speak to them in soothing tones. All of this can make them feel like the beloved and indispensable family member that they deserve to be.
In addition, you should bring such a dog to a reputable vet (as they can treat issues such as anxiety) and a certified animal behaviorist or dog trainer (as they can discover the root cause of your pet’s problems and devise a way to help them heal from said problems).
Conclusion
Howling is a behavior that domesticated dogs inherited from their wolf ancestors; as such, it’s one of the chief ways they communicate with others.
Why a dog howls depends on what they’re feeling at any given moment and their present circumstances. One may howl to announce their territory to others and ward off invaders. Another may howl to express their need for attention. Yet another could be trying to get the pack back together.
Whatever a dog’s reason for howling, it’s our job as fur parents to make sure we meet our pet’s needs. Obviously, we should also do our best to teach our canine companions when howling is unacceptable.