Why Do Dogs Howl? Is This Normal?
My dog howls and makes loud, high-pitched noises whenever they hear a siren or another dog howling. It’s almost like they’re trying to mimic the sound. Is this normal? What should I do about it?
You may have heard your pup bark at the mailman or growl when you break out the vacuum cleaner, but it can be a little alarming to hear your dog let out a howl for the first time. Thankfully, this canine behavior is usually normal—but it’s worth identifying exactly why your dog is howling, because it could signal a behavioral or medical issue.
Why Do Dogs Howl?
Dog howling is a form of communication. Reasons why dogs may howl include:
- Expressing emotion—good or bad
- Seeking attention
- Responding to certain noises (such as a siren)
- Separation anxiety
- Mimicking sounds (for example: someone singing or another dog howling)
- Underlying health issues
“Each dog will have its own reason for howling—and, yes, they can be happy or sad when they howl,” says Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP. “They may also be worried, nervous, excited, or just looking for attention!”
Do All Dogs Howl?
You’ve probably seen viral videos of Huskies or Beagles dramatically howling—and seemingly throwing temper tantrums—but other breeds are capable of howling too (even if you’ve never heard them do it before).
In fact, all dogs can howl, although certain breeds may be more predisposed to it, according to Chelsea Murray, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CTDI, trainer and owner of Pawsitive Futures Trainer & Behavior in Atlanta, Georgia. “Some northern, primitive, and hound breeds are more likely to make this unique noise,” she says—like the Huskies and Beagles in those viral videos.
What Does Dog Howling Sound Like?
The way dogs howl can vary. “Some dogs howl louder or longer than other dogs, and the sound of the howl may be different, depending on the message the dog is wanting to convey,” Dr. Mitchell says.
If a dog is trying to mimic certain sounds—such as another dog barking, a baby crying, or singing—that can result in different howls as well. Regardless of circumstance or breed, “I think, overall, howls sound similar,” says Wailani Sung, DVM, DACVB, director of behavior and welfare programs at San Francisco SPCA. “They typically occur in the 400Hz to 2000Hz range.”
Do Dogs Howl to Communicate with Each Other?
While we know that howling dogs could be trying to communicate with humans, it’s less clear whether—or why—they howl to communicate with other dogs. Dr. Sung explains that this behavior may be inherited from wild ancestors like coyotes or wolves.
“Wolves howl, we think, for communication between pack members, especially individuals that have been separated from the pack,” she says. “Dogs do not have the same pack structure as wolves; however, some dogs may howl at neighbor dogs—we just don’t yet fully understand the function of that howling.”
Are Dogs Sad When They Howl?
Dogs may howl when they are sad—but how do we know if the howling is due to sadness or another emotion, like joy? By observing other stress signals, says Murray, which include:
- Digging
- Scratching
- Drooling
- Lack of appetite
- Destructive behavior (such as inappropriate chewing, accidents in the house, or counter surfing)
“As we evaluate the situations when our dogs are howling, we can conclude if this howling is one of joy—like a family musical sing-along—or if this howling is in conjunction with other stress signals, like scratching at the door when we leave, indicating more unpleasant emotions of sadness,” Murray says.
When to Be Concerned About Dog Howling
If your pup howls when you’re singing at the top of your lungs in the shower, they’re probably just joining in on the fun. However, howling can also stem from stress, pain, or an underlying medical issue.
Be concerned if your dog is howling and also:
- Engaging in destructive behavior
- Exhibiting any of the stress signals listed above
These could be signs of behavioral issues—like separation anxiety—and you should reach out to a certified trainer or behaviorist for help. “When the dog is howling around stressful circumstances—like being left alone, during storms, or when crated—some behavior modification training might be needed to make the dog feel more comfortable,” Murray says.
In cases of separation anxiety, Amy Tate, DVM, co-owner and managing partner of Riverview Animal Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, advises being mindful of how you respond to the howling: “Often, we humans reward it by responding to this attention-seeking behavior.” For example, if your dog wakes you up in the middle of the night howling and you immediately comfort them or feed them, they’ll learn to associate this behavior with positive outcomes.
Also be concerned if:
- Your dog’s howling behavior changes suddenly and/or drastically—such as a normally quiet dog who has started to howl
- The howl becomes more intense
- Howling begins at new times of day without an obvious trigger
This could indicate pain or injury—or an underlying medical issue such as cognitive dysfunction disorder (a degenerative brain condition commonly seen in senior dogs), congenital brain disorders, or seizure-like onset in younger dogs. In any of these cases, schedule a veterinary exam through furpetvo.com.
How to Get Your Dog to Stop Howling
To stop a dog from howling, you need to identify and address the underlying cause. First, rule out medical or behavioral issues (see above). If those have been ruled out, try the following strategies:
- Reward quiet behavior. Offer toys or treats when your dog stays silent. “The more we reinforce a behavior, the more it will happen,” Murray says.
- Turn howling into a cue-based trick. Train your dog to howl only on command—and to stay quiet on cue. Step-by-step instructions for teaching vocalization and quiet cues are available on furpetvo.com.
- Increase physical activity. Take your dog on long walks, go hiking, or play fetch in the backyard. A well-exercised dog is often calmer and less prone to attention-seeking howling.
- Boost mental enrichment. Use slow feeders, puzzle toys, lick mats, or treat-dispensing toys. Bored or attention-seeking howlers benefit greatly from keeping their minds engaged.
Just like humans grumble, laugh, scream, and talk, our canine companions have their own ways of communicating—and howling is one of them. Another powerful tool is body language. Learn how to decode dog body language with expert guidance from FurPetVo.
