Why do Dogs Howl?

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Back to results
Enter Your Information All fields are required

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

*Please note: Questions submitted and the answers will appear on our website as a benefit to all pet owners. Please make sure not to include any personal information in the box where you enter your question.

Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Thank you! Your question has been submitted.

You will receive an answer from Dr. Lindsay and our vet/tech team as soon as possible, usually the same day.

All answers are provided for informational or educational purposes only, and are intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your pet's veterinarian.

It may be necessary to consult your pet's veterinarian regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your pet's symptoms or medical condition.

Close
Ask the Vet
Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Lindsay Butzer
Oops! Your question has not been submitted.

An error has occurred, please reload the page and try again.

Close
Ask the Vet
Got questions? Ask Our Vet Team:

While efforts are made to answer all questions as quickly as possible, if an immediate answer is required or if your pet is in need of urgent or emergency care, contact your pet's veterinarian immediately.

Do these answer your question?
Showing of | See All
Have another question, or can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
We're Sorry!

There is no answer related to your question

Can’t find your answer?
Submit your question
Category

Why do dogs howl

Howling is one of the many forms of vocal communication in dogs. Whether it has been in person or on TV, it's likely you've heard the howl of a wolf or dog. Sometimes the sound is mesmerizing, and other times it can be downright annoying, but why do dogs do it? What makes them resort to howling instead of other forms of communication, like barking, whining, and body language?

1. Attract attention
Dogs love getting attention, especially from their owners. That's one of the reasons dog lovers adore these furry balls of joy so much. Dog owners also know that when their dog wants attention, it will do what it thinks will get him or her attention. Some dogs learn that howling will get them attention. So if your dog wants attention, food, or toys, they might start howling until they get what they want.
This behavior can be curbed if you teach your dog that being quiet will get them what they want. Ignore your dog's attention-seeking howling, and reward your dog for being quiet. It might require you to let them "howl it out", but your dog will eventually realize that howling is not the way to get what it wants.

2. In response to high-pitched sounds
Has your pup ever started howling as an ambulance drove by? They might also howl along with crying babies or music. Stimuli like these are one of the main reasons dogs will howl. They might just like mimicking the sound or they might enjoy the bonding experience of a "community howl".

3. Separation Anxiety
Dogs are pack animals and very social creatures. If your dog is howling when you leave the house, it's likely to express their anxiety caused by being "left behind". This is more likely to happen if they are left alone or kept outside for several hours at a time. Because they're social animals, they need to spend some quality time with their human families. If your dog is howling because of separation anxiety, it's usually accompanied by other separation anxiety symptoms, such as pacing, destructive chewing, inappropriate elimination, and depression.

4. Injury/Illness
Howling can also be used as an expression of injury or illness. Just like humans cry or wail when injured, dogs might howl in a similar situation to vocalize their pain. If your dog is sick or is injured, they might be trying to tell you through howling.