Every dog parent knows that their little fluffy kids tend to howl like wolves from time to time. It’s happened to everyone. You’re just lying around, relaxing, and you suddenly hear a howl. But where did it even come from?
Just like barks, whimpers, and tail wiggles, howling is just a form of communication for them. Because dogs’ ancestors are wolves, the furry cuties inherited this instinct and are still using it. Wolves howl to locate pack members when they are out hunting. It is also used to signal impending dangers.
Dogs think of their humans as part of their pack. So, when dogs howl, they are just trying to communicate with a fellow pack member. But your dog might also howl when they are communicating with other dogs.
Some of the most common reasons dogs howl are for greeting other dogs, trying to get your attention, out of boredom, mimicking loud noises like sirens, and marking their territory. Sometimes dogs howl when they hear other dogs doing it. But howling is not limited to communication. Dogs also howl when they are in pain, confused, or when they are experiencing separation anxiety.
You might have noticed that they howl more at night. That’s because they might be lonely and seeking companionship, or they are asking for something. They will also be more sensitive to sound, and they will howl in response to them.
Excessive howling is a sign that something’s wrong with your dog. Maybe they are lonely, anxious, or scared. You need to address these core issues if you want the howling to stop.