Why Do Dogs Sometimes Howl?

Although the most common sound form that dogs have to communicate is barking, it is not the only one. They can also moan, whine and growl. And also the dogs sometimes howl. We tell you the reasons.

The howl as a wolf heritage

The causes for which a furry howls can be varied. And it is that the howl is one of the ways that these animals have to communicate and that they inherited from their ancestors, the wolves.

But before we move on to the reasons why dogs sometimes howl, let’s make it clear that it is by no means a bad omen.

With this myth or legend banished, let’s go on to explain the different reasons that dogs have for expressing themselves in this way through the centuries. This way you will understand your pet better and know how to act accordingly if necessary.

Loneliness and anxiety, reasons for howling dogs

A wolf howls, for example, when left alone in the den waiting for the pack to return from hunting. He does so with the aim of bringing his companions back.

If we transfer this fact to a domestic dog today, we can say that the dog will emit howls – and barks and cries – if it is alone in the house and anxiously awaits the return of its human family.

Howling – and other actions, such as smashing objects or eliminating anywhere – can become excessive if the furry one suffers from separation anxiety. In this case, it would be convenient for you to consult an animal behavior specialist.

There is also the extreme case of animals that spend much of their day, or their lives, tied or locked up. That a furry howl or cry in these circumstances is more than understandable.

Howls in chorus

It is known that our four-legged friends have a highly developed sense of hearing. So when we think they are howling for no apparent reason, they are actually responding to a very distant noise that you cannot perceive.

It is also very likely that your dog will also howl by imitation. There are certain sounds that in a certain way incite all the dogs in the neighborhood. This is particularly noticeable when in the silence of the night they begin to howl when hearing a siren.

And here they do not discriminate. The concert will take place whether it be ambulances, fire trucks, police cars or various alarms. But they can also cause your furry howls certain music or some sounds that you make and that the animal considers similar to those that it emits.

They also howl to get your attention

Hunting dogs often howl when they detect their prey. This is how they attract the attention of humans.

In the same way, your pet can use this sound resource to capture your interest and that you go to meet him to see what he wants or needs. It is that the furry ones inherited the howl from the wolves. But they learned manipulation from us.

So, most likely, your furry will claim your presence through this method so that you can play with him and pamper him for a while. But be sure to watch out for other signs.

If this sound emission persists or becomes more pitiful, it may mean that the animal is in pain for a certain reason. In these cases, take him to the vet as soon as possible to determine the cause.

Other reasons why dogs sometimes howl

Although barking is often the most common form dogs choose in the examples that follow, some also howl to:

• Delimit its territory.
• Alert intruders of their presence, for example.
• Inform their peers of certain situations.

But whatever the reason, accept that it is a very natural fact that your furry uses this form to communicate. So unless the howls get excessive, learn to live with them.