Why Do Dogs Howl?

Written by Crystal Moore | Last updated 15/11/24

All dogs can howl. Howling, alongside barking, is one way for your dog to communicate, both with you and with other dogs. Some dog breeds howl more than others, and there are some that don't howl at all. Using the Skipper's office dogs as an example, Theo, Lucky, and Bailey don't howl. Whereas Wendy and Wilson do howl. Howling is one form of communication, and it might make you wonder, why do dogs howl?

There are a variety of reasons that could prompt your dog to howl, and we will explore that in this blog.

Why do dogs howl?

Medical issues

There are some medical conditions, such as cognitive dysfunction, hearing loss and gastrointestinal issues like pancreatitis, that can increase a dog's howling behaviour. If a dog has a cognitive dysfunction, they may howl due to confusion, disorientation and anxiety, particularly during the night. Dogs that experience hearing loss may howl as they struggle to interpret or recognise sounds. Moreover, painful conditions like pancreatitis, arthritis and infections may lead to howling as a response to the pain and discomfort.

Separation anxiety

When your dog is left alone, you might find that they start to howl, either before you've left and/or after you've left the home. There are other behaviours that can be present alongside howling, such as destructive chewing, increased toileting, drooling and whining. Behaviours caused by separation anxiety are often involuntary, which indicates the dog's strong attachment to the person leaving. When a dog howls, it's most likely their way of expressing their fears and seeking reassurance.

Get attention

Howling can become a learned behaviour that dogs use to get attention from their owners. If you notice that your dog starts to howl in situations like when you're on the phone or otherwise occupied, this is most likely because you've unknowingly rewarded your dog in the past with what they were wanting, attention. Accidentally reinforcing an undesirable behaviour happens more often than dog owners realise. However, if you continue to reward your dog's howling, this behaviour can worsen over time. Fortunately, these unwanted behaviours can be trained out of dogs.

Communicate

In order to communicate, dogs tend to bark at other dogs, but they may also howl, especially across longer distances. You might notice this behaviour more when dogs are let out into gardens and begin howling or barking back and forth, essentially "talking" from garden to garden. The way dogs communicate typically stems from their ancestry. Wolves communicate by howling to one another in order to locate and signal each other over long distances. Therefore, you'll see that certain breeds are more likely to howl than others since they have closer ties to their ancestral routes.

Express emotions

Dogs express their emotions in various ways, which can be both obvious and subtle. Your dog may howl out of excitement when they greet you, or they may howl due to anxiety because they are left alone. You can also find that some dogs howl due to jealousy or boredom, especially if they lack exercise and mental stimulation. To better understand and identify how your dog is feeling, observe multiple cues, such as your dog's tail movement, body posture, and ear position.

Response to noise

Loud and high-pitched noises such as sirens, alarms, and musical instruments can trigger a dog to howl. It's believed that dogs may try to mimic the pitch or tone of these sounds, similar to how wolves respond to sounds within their environment. Furthermore, some dogs can be sensitive to certain frequencies, which they may respond to by howling.

Convey pain

When a dog encounters a sudden, intense pain or injury, they may instinctually react by howling, yelping or whining. An example of this type of reaction from your dog is if you accidentally step on their paw. Their sudden reaction tells you something happened or that something is wrong, prompting you to check if your dog's okay. However, if you find that your dog is frequently howling or whining, accompanied by a change in behaviour and body language, you must contact your vet immediately, as it could be a sign that your dog has an underlying medical issue. Moreover, certain conditions can cause your dog to howl at certain moments. For example, with conditions such as arthritis, a dog may start to howl or show other signs of discomfort when they are moving.

Breed-specific howling traits in dogs

Dog breeds prone to howling

• Siberian Husky

• Alaskan Malamute

• Bloodhound

• Beagle

• Basset Hound

• Dachshund

• American Eskimoo dogs

• Samoyed

• Cairn Terrier

• Miniature Schnauzer

• Border Collie

• Australian Shepherd

• Shiba Inu

• Akita

Ancestral howling traits from wolves

Howling is deeply rooted in the ancestry of many dog breeds, especially those with close ties to wolves. For wolves, howling is their primary method of communicating with other pack members, especially over long distances. The purpose of their howling is to signal, claim territory, and coordinate with other pack members. There are certain dog breeds, like Huskies and Malamutes, that have closer connections to wolves, which makes them more likely to howl when communicating or in response to certain sounds.

Environmental or situational howling triggers

New environment

When a dog is introduced into a new environment, such as a new home or unfamiliar outdoor setting, it may cause them to howl due to stress or anxiety. Their howling can be a way to express their unease and try to reconnect with familiar sounds or people. This behaviour tends to stop or lessen when the dog feels secure and comfortable in their new environment.

Changes in routine

Dogs thrive on a consistent routine, which means when there are sudden changes to parts of their routine, like their feeding times or walks, it can cause stress. As a response to the stress, it can cause them to howl to communicate their frustration and confusion. For example, if you have specific times when you give your dog a treat, like a long-lasting chew at 5 pm, your dog might remind you or wait expectantly when the time arrives. If this was to be forgotten, your dog might howl or find other ways to capture your attention.

Dogs howling nearby

As you know, dogs howl to communicate with both people and dogs. Dogs can start to howl as a way to communicate with nearby dogs. This behaviour is rooted in their pack instincts and is a way to establish social connections or signal their presence. Even dogs that do not howl can be inclined to howl if they hear another dog howling.

Tips to manage excessive howling in dogs

Identify the underlying cause

The first step to managing your dog's howling is by identifying the root cause of their howling. Pay close attention to when your dog howls. They might howl at certain sounds, activities, or at certain times of the day. Furthermore, observe your dog for any other signs, such as limping, excessive licking, or lack of appetite. If any physical signs accompany your dog's howling, it can be a sign that there's something wrong with them. If you suspect medical issues, you must seek professional help from a veterinarian. Moreover, if you find your dog howls when you leave, this can indicate your dog has separation anxiety. It's best to speak to a behaviouralist or another professional for help and advice.

Adjusting the environment

When your dog is put in an unfamiliar environment, like a new home, try to make the house feel as familiar as possible. You can do this by surrounding your dog with familiar blankets, toys, bedding and smells. If needed, you can also create a safe place in the new home that your dog can retreat to if they feel overwhelmed or anxious. Moreover, it's essential that you try to keep your dog's routine the same or, at least, similar to what it was previously. Doing this will help lessen their stress and anxiety, and eventually, your dog should settle and start to feel secure and comfortable in their new environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do dogs howl at night?

Dogs may howl at night due to loneliness, boredom, or anxiety, especially when separated from their owners. The quiet nighttime environment can also amplify other sounds that prompt their instinct to howl in response.

Why do dogs howl at sirens?

Sirens often trigger dogs to howl due to the high-pitched sound it produces. The sound of a siren resembles the calls of other dogs, which triggers dogs to howl.

When a dog howls, does it mean death?

Whilst some cultures associate a dog’s howling with an omen, there is no scientific evidence linking dog howling to death.

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