Each of our dogs has their own quirks that make them even more lovable, but the howling at sirens is certainly interesting. Do they know something we don't?
Dogs are social animals, and howling is one of the many ways they talk to their fellow pups. From a distance, a siren sounds a bit like a dog’s howl. So your dog’s ancestral instincts kick in!
You might even notice your neighbors’ dogs howling along too– this is the dog equivalent of a text chain blowing up.
Dogs, as we know, have incredibly sensitive hearing. They can hear high pitched sounds up to 45 Hertz, compared to humans who can only hear 23 Hertz. So a dog hearing a piercing siren might be saying, “Yikes, that really Hertz!” (you are so welcome, everybody.)
Veterinarians, however, aren’t quite convinced. After all: dogs don’t tend to run & hide or tuck their tails when a siren screeches. They might even run *towards* the siren, which suggests that they’re maybe not so scared or annoyed.
You’re your dog’s pack leader. So when some big, crazy unexpected event happens—like, say, a screechy siren– your dog springs into duty to alert the Alpha.
Funny enough, as the siren passes into the distance, your dog might even think their howling made the siren go away! Your dog is quite possibly patting herself on the back for their heroic and helpful howl.
Their reason for barking at sirens is actually cute, right? They're trying to have their own private conversation with an emergency vehicle. It also shows how even though we've domesticated many dog breeds, they still have many primal and ancestral traits. So, the next time your dog howls at the siren, you may find yourself smiling at him instead of scolding him or scratching your head in confusion! Let us know if your dog howls like that!
Article Source: Barkpost
