How To Stop A Dog From Howling?

Dogs use their bodies and make sounds to express themselves. They wag their tails happily when they’re excited and content, then bark in response and acknowledge you when you talk to them.

One particular dog sound that’s confusing and even alarming is a howl. This is an unmistakable sound that can trigger plenty of questions.

Yes, howling in dogs is a deeply rooted behavior. Like a wolf’s howl, the dog’s is a drawn-out, loud, and almost sorrowful call, unlike a bark that is explosive and quick. And as dog parents, when your dog starts howling, you become concerned, and you want to find out what and why your dog is emitting this mournful cry.

Why Do Dogs Howl?

Howling is one of your dog’s verbal cues to tell you something, point out something, and try to communicate with you.

Note that certain breeds can call wolves their ancestors. These include the Akita, Alaskan Malamute, and Shiba Inu. And because of these roots, these breeds are more prone to howl.

But you may wonder why your all-American Golden Retriever or a pudgy Boxer howls.

Here are the most common reasons why dogs howl:

1. Howling Brings The Pack Back Together.

Howling is your dog’s primitive response to unite its pack, and this can be associated with your dog’s ancient roots, but then again, your domesticated dog’s new pack is you—its human family. So when you have left it alone or been away for a while, they start vocalizing through their howls saying that it’s time for everyone to get back together.

Recall that wild dogs use howling as a vocal homing lighthouse or an auditory beacon to guide the other members of their pack to where they are and that it’s time to get back. So your dog howling can mean it is beckoning you or other family members to come home.

Now, puppy howling is also another example. When the puppies feel alone and insecure, unable to feel their siblings or their mother, they howl to let their family members know their location. In case they get lost or separated from the pack, this will help their parents to find them and carry them back home.

2. Howling Sets The Boundaries And Territories

Again, this may be associated with the primitive behavior of wild dogs, where howling is a signal that dogs give to other animals that they are about to enter or cross their territory.

This sound warns that a particular space—in your case, your home or property—is already occupied and that intrusion can lead to violence. Well, at least your dog will do what it can to protect your home’s perimeter.

When your dog howls, especially if other dogs are around, it announces its presence and territory. At the same time, it becomes a defense mechanism against possible intruders or predators. 

You can observe your dog and confirm this possible reason when a stranger knocks on your door, especially when they are bringing along a dog, or when a new car pulls up in your driveway.

3. Howling Allows Your Dog To Communicate With Other Canines

Whether it is the primitive howling you’d imagine during a full moon or a melodic baying of your dog and the dogs of your neighborhood, consider it your dog’s way of talking to other dogs—long distance.

Have you ever wondered why your dog starts howling when it hears the howl of another canine somewhere? Regardless of how faint that howl is, your dog will respond with gusto. And before you know it, every dog in your block is part of the howling frenzy.

Don’t worry; they’re just talking.

In the urban world, instead of howls from the other side of the mountain, your dog constantly hears sirens and loud music, so if they hear that howl from somewhere else, it is an atavistic response to cry back.

4. Howling Attracts Your Attention

It does. There’s no better way to stop you in your tracks no matter what you are doing than with a howl, and your dog knows it is a practical approach.

When your dog howls, you rush from the second floor to the kitchen, only to find your dog wants to play with you. If you come running every time your dog howls, it will learn that it is the best way to get your attention.

But then again, your dog may also resort to howling if you tend to leave it for extended periods, and this time, it is a cry associated with separation anxiety. 

5. Howling Alerts You Of Injury Or Sickness

Another reason dogs howl is to let you know that they are not well, injured, or hurt. This is your dog’s way of expressing pain.

When your dog is sick and confined or crated, it will howl to let you and the entire household know it’s not well. It is a little challenging to identify if the howl is due to pain, but there are other telltale signs that you can watch for, like your dog being lethargic or exhibiting odd behaviors.

How To Stop A Dog From Howling?

It is tricky to fully understand why your dog howls because, admit it, it might be guilty of the occasional howl to get what it wants. Some households get disrupted by their dog’s constant howling, so what can you do?

These recommended solutions on how to stop a dog from howling are worth a try, so go ahead and try what works best for you and your dog:

Head To The Vet

The most concerning reason your dog howls is that they are ill. So head to the vet to get your pet a proper diagnosis immediately.

This is especially needed if your dog is exhibiting other signs of being physically sick.

Usually, if your dog grew up in your household, you’d know from the tone of its howl if something is not right. But it’s best not to take any chances and have a routine checkup done for your peace of mind.

Ignore The Howling

If you’ve figured out your dog is simply howling just to get your attention, it’s time to stop tolerating the behavior.

Attention-seeking howling is best addressed by completely ignoring it. This isn’t easy to do because your priority is to stop the howling immediately, but if your dog learns that this is the best way for it to get your attention, it’ll keep howling.

So when your dog starts howling just for you to notice it, don’t react with urgency. Instead, tell your dog to be quiet in a calm manner and continue doing what you are doing.

As tempting as it may be to scold or discipline your dog for howling, your efforts are likely to be counterproductive. Your dog won’t think it’s doing anything wrong because it has done it before and received the desired attention and response from you.

When your dog (finally) stops howling, take notice and reward your pet with praise and even a treat. Be consistent in doing this; every family member should be on board. Soon, your dog will associate not howling with being a good dog.

Distract Your Dog With Plenty Of Activities

Whether your pet is just a puppy or a full-grown dog, help them burn their energy by maintaining an active lifestyle. Play catch with them, bring them to the park, go for morning walks, and bring them on your weekend hikes.

Additionally, keep your dog’s mind well-stimulated by investing in problem-solving dog toys. A tired dog, distracted from all its activities and toys, is less likely to howl.

Deal With Separation Anxiety

If your routine involves you being out almost the entire day and your dog being home alone, you’ll need to adjust your daily habits. Usually, your dog would start howling after several hours of being alone in an empty house. You can also ask your neighbors about the usual time that the howling begins.

This will give you a better picture of what’s happening while you’re gone. Typically, you can address howling caused by isolation and even boredom by reducing the time that your dog is alone. Of course, this can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a flexible schedule or if no other family members can help you with dog care.

So, in this case, you can fight your dog’s boredom and loneliness by leaving toys that can stimulate them physically and mentally. You can also consider options like a local doggie daycare center, having one of your neighbors or friends dog sit, or hiring a dog walker to stop by your home to play with and walk your dog.

If these recommendations are not feasible, getting your dog a playmate is another solution. A second dog can stop the howling, and you won’t have to worry about your dog feeling alone and bored.

Spend More Time With Your Dog

The howling might also be your dog’s way of telling you that you’re not around much anymore. This is common for those pet owners who have been working from home for years and have had to return to the workplace.

For your dog, it doesn’t get better than being with you 24/7. And when your presence is suddenly reduced, your dog might not be happy with the changes, so it howls. So how do you make it stop?

Spend time with your dog whenever you can.

Set aside a few minutes for your dog, regardless of how busy or tired you are, or how full your schedule is. Or involve your dog in as many activities as possible, like taking it along on your morning walk, taking it out when you’re getting coffee, or going grocery shopping.

Get A Pro To Help

You know when you’ve reached the end of the leash when the howling is more persistent than ever. It may be time to seek help from certified professional dog trainers to help you get the howling under control.

A professional onboard can help you comprehend the situation and even look at it from a different angle. These specialists can work with you to find a solution to stop your dog’s howling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do I Do If I Can’t Determine Why My Dog Is Howling?

This is most of us. Even if your dog has been with you since birth, you still don’t speak dog language, so if your dog has started howling only recently, and it’s the only thing that’s changed, first talk to your vet to ensure that it is not an indicator of a medical issue.

Then work with a canine behaviorist or dog trainer for guidance if it is behavior-related.

What Breeds Tend To Howl A Lot?

Some breeds tend to vocalize more than others, so this might be an excellent factor to weigh in when getting a dog. Hounds, for instance, have earned a name for their soulful and loud howling, while Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies are two of the most vocal and talkative dog breeds.

Other dog breeds known as howlers are the American Eskimos, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Bloodhounds, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, and Yorkshire Terriers.

Do Dogs Howl More When They Get Older?

Yes, there are instances when dogs howl more frequently as they age, especially if they have vision problems, hearing problems, and dementia. These medical conditions make them disoriented, confused, and not fully aware of their surroundings, which can be scary, so they howl to make their presence known and learn how to get help.

Wrapping Up

Howling is a primitive sound that dogs make, and it is due to their ancestry or learned behavior. As challenging as it can be, it is up to you to try and interpret what your dog is trying to tell you, especially if the howling is already causing adverse effects on your life and relationships.

Yes, lots of luck, but the good news is you are not alone. You can closely observe your dog’s behavior and tap the expertise of your vet or a canine behaviorist so you can find the root cause of the howling and take the appropriate actions to stop it.

It’s hard, yes! But completely doable!