Why Do Dogs Howl?

If you have a dog that howls, you might have found yourself wondering what on earth they are trying to achieve. Is this their werewolf character coming out? Or are there other reasons behind it?

Well, as research has it, there are a few reasons why your canine companion might be acting like a werewolf:

  • Your dog might just be trying to make contact with other four-legged friends out there.
  • Howling could also be a signal for distress.
  • Your furry-faced friend may be warning predators about their presence.
  • Howling may be a way of attracting attention, perhaps your dog is determined to steal some of your time!
  • On a more serious note, howling could be a sign of pain or distress, although you will most likely notice something is off with your dog if they are in discomfort or suffering.
  • Separation anxiety is also a potential cause for howling behavior, your dog might just be missing your company!
  • This behavior can also be in response to high pitched noises around him!

Not all causes of howling are negative or need immediate attention. If the cause stems from an injury or distress, then, by all means, take your canine companion for medical attention as soon as you can. Other reasons can be buffered in some way or another. For example, a response to high pitched noises like alarms can be buffered by putting your dog inside and playing a video on the TV to cancel the other sounds.

If the response to separation anxiety gets really bad, to the point that your neighbors are complaining, it might be time to bring in an animal behaviorist. Then on the other end of the spectrum, some dogs are just more prone to howling than others! It may be a good idea to do research about your breed before you consider adding them to your home.

Does your dog howl? If so, how do you handle the situation? Let us know in the comments!

Feature Image Source: Pixabay

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