Since dogs (unfortunately) can't speak to us, they use other sounds and methods to communicate. Your dog could be howling for a specific reason so it's important to pay attention to the context of the sound to figure out if it's something you could help your furbaby with:
Why do dogs howl? Researchers believe that dog howling is bound up in dog genetics. The ancient dog breeds are recognized for how closely their DNA matches that of the wolves from which they descended.
1. Community organizing and homing beacon
In the wild, wolves and feral dogs howl to bring scouts back to the pack after a hunt. Dogs who remain behind howl to provide the location of their base. Pet dogs howling can be a similar expression, particularly if you’ve been out of the house all day. Dogs howl to beckon their loved ones back home.
2. Boundary demarcation and defense mechanism
Dog howling signals to other dogs that the area they are entering has been claimed and occupied. It is a warning to outsiders that encroachment risks the threat of violence.
3. Attract attention or express anxiety
A howling dog may simply want attention. Some dog owners know that dogs can be as emotionally manipulative as any human. The sound of a dog howling attracts the attention of its owner.
Of course, there are two sides to this coin. If your dog knows that you leave for extended periods of time, he may howl as an expression of separation anxiety. Dogs that don’t have toys or sufficient things to entertain them in your absence get sad, lonely, and depressed.
4. Response to stimuli and bonding exercises
Common provocations include ambulance, police, or fire-engine sirens. Perhaps the pitch of sirens awoke some otherwise-dormant genetic memory.
Much of our research confirms that dog howling occurs when certain sounds are perceived. People who enjoy dogs howling even seem to encourage their dogs by howling themselves! It would seem that one reason dogs howl is the experience of community or of bonding.
5. Alerting you to injury or discovery
Dog howling can be an expression of injury. People weep when they get hurt; dogs howl in similar situations. Some dogs are also trained to howl when they make discoveries. Hunting dog breeds howl to signal the pursuit or apprehension of prey.
Does your dog like to sing?
Breeds known for howling include Alaskan Malamutes, American Eskimo Dogs, Beagles, Coonhounds, Dachshunds, Foxhounds, Hounds (Bloodhound, Basset), Huskies (Alaskan and Siberian), Native American Indian Dogs, and Tamaskan Dogs, among others.
While howling could get annoying to hear over time, it's still adorable to know that our dogs make an effort to let us know what's going on with them or their environment. Regardless of breed, color, size or shape, it's cool to know that our dogs all have a little wolf inside of them!
Article Source: Dogster
