Why Do Dogs Howl? How to Curb Excessive Howling

Howling is the act of producing a multi-pitched sound that can travel long distances. Loud and wailing in nature, howls are a common form of vocalization among dogs, wolves, and coyotes. Howling allows canines to communicate over distances of up to ten miles, an essential survival trait in the animal kingdom. Howls also warn other pack members of possible danger, and the vocalization can indicate if a pack member has located or trapped prey.

Dogs howl when hunting, and howling may also be a telltale sign that a domestic dog is suffering from an injury. In many cases, dogs howl for no reason other than they're simply acting on their natural impulses.

Lone howling and pack howling are the most common types of howling and vocalization among dogs and wolves. Dogs, coyotes, and wolves are all known for lone howling, which starts with a throat grumble, followed by low pitches and high pitches.

Pack howling occurs when one dog, wolf, or coyote begins to howl, and additional pack members will join them. Pack howling is common among wolves and coyotes when defending their territories, and some dogs instinctively react and join in when hearing other howls in the distance.

Dogs howl for multiple reasons that range from simple communicating to reacting to pain or illness. Howling is a natural and instinctual form of vocalization in all dogs, though certain breeds tend to howl more than others.

Dogs howl as a form of communication when they sense other dogs and want to make contact, and howling is also a common response to external stimuli, such as loud sirens and heavy thunder or wind. Dogs that emit high-pitched, squealing howls are often reacting to pain or illness. Separation anxiety and loneliness in dogs can also trigger a howling response when they're longing for their owners to return.

When a dog senses danger, its natural instinct is to growl, whimper, or howl. Dogs descend from wolves, which howl to communicate with their packs. While excessive howling can cause concern in dog owners, it's important to note that all dogs are predisposed to this communication form.

Howling, whining, and baying are common traits in dog breeds; however, hunting and sporting dogs howl more than others. The most common dog breeds known for excessive howling include the Siberian Husky, Basset Hound, Dachshund, Alaskan Malamute, Beagle, Bloodhound, Setter, and Retriever.

Hunting and sporting dogs may howl when they're trailing and trapping prey. As howling is part of every dog's lineage, even domestic hunters and sporting dogs have the urge to howl when capturing something they perceive as prey, whether it's a toy found in the backyard or a bird crossing their path.

While a certain amount of howling in dogs is completely natural and expected, pet owners may curb excessive howling, like unwarranted barking, by eliminating the trigger that's causing your dog to act out:

• Determine if there’s an underlying medical cause. Excessive howling can indicate a potential medical problem, so it's always important to consult with your pet's veterinarian before taking steps in your home environment.
• Spend more time with your dog. Your dog's excessive howling may be an attention-seeking behavior due to feeling lonely when you go to work or leave for extended periods. In this case, you may be able to remedy the howling by simply spending more time with your furry friend. Consider waking up earlier on workdays so you can head to the dog park or take a long walk before you have to leave for the day, or make a point of coming home on your lunch break (if possible) to give your pup a midday visit.
• Provide distractions for solo time. In a perfect world, pets and owners could stay together at all times, but there are times when your dog must stay home alone, which can trigger separation anxiety and lead to whining and howling. You can help minimize howling during these times by creating distractions, such as leaving the television or radio on when you leave. Alternatively, place a shirt or blanket with your scent on it in your dog's favorite resting spot so they can feel close to you while you're away.
• Reward your dog when they quiet down. If you've determined that your dog's howling is triggered by external elements, such as other neighborhood dogs, police car or fire truck sirens, or the arrival of deliveries or mail, rewarding them with a treat once they quiet down is a good training technique. If a treat is waiting for your pup during quiet times, it's more likely they'll repeat this behavior to continue earning treats.

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