Howling is a behavior domesticated dogs inherited from their wild wolf ancestors. And according to experts, dogs howl to communicate with other dogs.
However, anyone who enjoys plenty of interactions with canines will know that these animals don’t just howl at each other. They also howl at music, ringing sounds, and of course, sirens.
So, why do dogs howl at sirens? Is there something about this noise that triggers such a response? And if so, what is this “something”?
Before we can understand this unusual behavior, we must first understand why dogs howl.
For a more detailed discussion on the reasons behind canine howling, check out our article, “Why Do Dogs Howl?” But if you want the quick version, read on!
Why Do Dogs Howl? A Quick Recap
Unlike us humans, dogs can’t speak. Therefore, they have to rely on body language and various vocalizations to “talk” to others of their kind.
Howling is just one of the many ways dogs convey what they’re thinking and feeling. For instance, they howl to:
- Call pack members back home so the family can be reunited
- Alert others to their presence
- Warn others about potential danger
- Announce their ownership of territory
- Express positive emotions
- Express their love for their owner
- Gain attention
- Inform others that they’re unwell
What’s interesting is that dogs also howl in response to sounds, such as the chiming of bells, the plinking of piano keys, and the singing of a violin. And of course, dogs are well-known for howling along to sirens, such as those produced by ambulances, police cars, or firetrucks.
Now that we know why dogs howl, we’re better equipped to understand why dogs howl at sirens.
The Reasons Dogs Howl at Sirens
Below, we discuss the main reasons dogs howl at sirens.
1. They’re convinced another dog is howling
To us humans, the high-pitched whine of a siren doesn’t resemble howling. To a dog, however, it may sound enough like a howl that it can trick them into thinking it’s another dog trying to reach out to them.
As previously discussed, howling is a form of communication among dogs, and one of the reasons dogs engage in this behavior is to alert others to their presence. Thus, if your pooch hears a siren, they may end up thinking, “Another dog is telling me they’re passing by the neighborhood!” So they howl back to say, “I’m here! I live in this neighborhood! Hello!”
Another dog may howl for a less friendly reason, as if they’re saying, “You’re coming awfully close to our territory, so you better stay away!”
2. They’re protecting their pack
In wolf packs, individuals play different roles. For example, some are scouts that explore their surroundings to check for signs of danger. The moment they come across something suspicious, they howl to let their pack back at home know about it. In response, the pack leader howls to tell those scouts to return home as well as warn others about a possible threat.
Dogs howl for the same reason. When they see, smell, or hear something strange, they may perceive it as potentially dangerous, so they howl to alert their pack to the threat. Thus, if your dog howls at a siren, then they may be telling you and your loved ones, “I hear this strange sound. I’m not sure what it is, but it could be dangerous, so let’s be extra careful!”
Alternatively, howling could be a dog’s attempt to scare away this threat, as if they’re saying, “I don’t know what you are, but you better not come any closer! I have teeth!” This behavior is easily reinforced. For example, if an emergency vehicle passes by your area, your pooch may think that their howling is what drove it away. As a consequence, this experience will teach them that every time a siren sounds, they should howl to scare it off.
Remember, dogs are our loyal companions; they’ll do everything they can to protect us. Obviously, sirens aren’t a threat to people, but because our canine friends don’t know that, they’ll keep howling at these noises to ensure our safety.
Myth: Dogs Howl at Sirens Because the Sound Hurts Their Ears
Dogs hear higher sound frequencies than humans, which means they can perceive sounds that we can’t. This explains why ultrasonic signals, including those produced by training whistles, are audible to canines but not to people.
This has led many people to think that dogs howl at sirens because the high-pitched noise hurts their ears. Thankfully, this isn’t true in most cases.
According to veterinarians and scientists, if sirens truly hurt dogs’ ears, then they’d exhibit signs of pain and fear (e.g. wincing, running, hiding, cowering, tucking their tail, or licking their lips) whenever they hear them. Indeed, some dogs even go outside so that they can hear a siren better – something they wouldn’t do if the noise causes them suffering.
Instead, experts claim that dogs howl at sirens for reasons we’ve already discussed: because 1) they’re convinced the sound is the howling of another canine, or 2) they perceive the sound as a potential threat that they have to protect themselves and their pack from.
Nevertheless, you shouldn’t expose your dog to sirens and other loud and/or high-pitched sounds for extended periods, as this could lead to ear damage. And if such noises do cause your dog to display signs of distress, the best course of action is to seek help from a veterinarian, who can examine your pet and determine if they have underlying issues that need resolution.
Also, keep in mind that a dog’s age and breed will affect their hearing ability, so a noise that doesn’t bother one dog may annoy or even hurt another.
With that in mind…
A word of caution
As stated above, dogs have much better hearing than humans. This means what’s loud to a human is even louder for a dog. If a noise is painful to you, it’s going to be worse for a dog.
It depends on the kind of noise. While a siren may not trouble your dog, other types of loud sounds, such as the explosion of fireworks or the crack of gunfire, can. Avoid exposing your pooch to such sounds!
Do All Dogs Howl at Sirens?
No, not all dogs howl at sirens. True, howling is natural for dogs. However, it isn’t a trait that defines a dog. So if your pooch stays quiet despite the blaring of a siren, you have no reason to worry; nothing is wrong with your pet.
So why don’t all dogs howl at sirens? Let’s find out!
Not all dogs are the same
Like people, all dogs are unique, with distinct personalities, communication styles, and ways of dealing with specific situations. This means that one dog’s reaction to a stimulus may not be exactly the same as another’s.
For example, a siren may encourage your pooch to howl. Maybe they think another dog is trying to communicate with them, which is exciting and worthy of a response!
Another dog, however, may not be convinced the siren is howling. Or even if they are, maybe they don’t see the point of communicating with dogs outside of their pack.
Some breeds are more prone to howling than others
Some dog breeds – specifically those more closely related to wolves – howl more than others. Breeds bred for hunting and pack activities are also prolific howlers.
Strangely enough, it also seems some breeds are more likely to howl at sirens compared to others. Below are a few examples of such breeds:
- Alaskan Malamutes
- American Eskimos
- Basset Hounds
- Beagles
- Coonhounds
- Dachshunds
- Foxhounds
- Siberian Huskies
In contrast, the following breeds are known for their silence and therefore tend to not howl at sirens:
- Bulldogs
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
This doesn’t mean that these and other breeds will never howl at sirens or similar sounds, however. Remember, all dogs howl, and many of them sing along to a wide variety of noises!
How to Stop Your Dog from Howling at Sirens
If you find sirens irritating, then it’s doubly annoying when your dog howls at them. So how do you get your pooch to quit howling whenever they hear a siren? The same way you get them to do anything: through training.
Every time your dog howls along to a siren, give them a stern command such as “Stop!” or “Quiet!” You can even pair such commands with a loud noise, such as the sound of coins rattling in a can. These methods will startle them, distracting them from what they’re doing and thus putting an immediate end to their howling.
Once your pooch has calmed down, reward them by giving them a treat, praise, or hug. Over time, your dog will understand that howling is unacceptable behavior and that staying quiet whenever there’s a siren will get them rewarded. This is positive reinforcement, which is an extremely effective way to train dogs.
Keep in mind that training a dog to stop howling at sirens will take time and patience. After all, you’re telling a dog to go against their natural inclination to howl. Don’t give up if your first training sessions fail; keep at it until your pet learns to stop howling on command!
Also, avoid punishing your dog if they fail to do what you’re asking of them. Shouting at or hitting your dog will only upset them and make them fear you. It’ll also make them prone to anxiety, a mental health issue that can encourage destructive and aggressive behaviors.
Conclusion
Howling is a trait domesticated dogs inherited from wolves. Thus, like wolves, dogs howl to communicate with others.
This explains why dogs howl at sirens. Some dogs mistake the sound a siren makes for the howling of another dog, so they howl in response to communicate with them. Others perceive the siren as a threat, so they howl to scare it away or alert their pack members to it.
Some dogs are more likely to howl at sirens than others. If you don’t like it whenever your dog engages in this behavior, know that you can always use positive reinforcement to train them to stay silent despite the blaring of a siren.