Reasons why dogs howl

The howling of dog can make a faint hearted have a long sleepless night. It would seem as if dogs really do follow a leader. Once a dog barks, others will follow suit. One dog will howl and all the other dogs in the neighborhood will howl as well so that it would seem as if you are in the middle of a horror movie scene. Dogs are often featured in horror movies as the howling is commonly associated with sinister happenings. These folk tales have no scientific basis but it is understandable for a person to be nervous if the howling of the dog is heard especially on a silent and rainy moonless night.

Howling is a behavior commonly associated with wolves. These primitive dogs use howling as a form of communication. Instead of barking, dogs howl to call the attention of other pack members because howling has a better chance of being heard in the vast wilderness. The reverberating howl will notify other pack members of the whereabouts of the howling wolf. Modern day dogs no longer need to howl to find their pack mates given the fact that the human family is considered as the dog's pack. Pet dogs though are still heard howling.

Howling is an inherited trait used by the dog to communicate. Studies have noted that dogs living inside the house with the family and dogs that are receiving sufficient care and attentions from the loving owners are seldom heard howling. Experts believe that howling is one way of getting the human family's attention as the mournful sound is more commonly heard from dogs left alone all day. Dogs form strong attachment with the human family and when not provided with opportunities to bond, the dog will howl as a sign of separation anxiety.

The passing of ambulance and fire trucks can make the dog howl. The sound of the ambulance or fire truck can be viewed by the dog as the howl of another dog thus it would howl its response. This will be the same as a howl that is answered by other wolves. The dog may interpret the wailing siren of the fire truck and the ambulance as the howl of another dog.

Howling can be the dog's way of getting the owner's attention. Ailing dogs will be heard howling. The owner may be annoyed by the dog's howling but in this case, the pet is howling because of pain. Would you disregard the howling of the pet or would you take time to know the reason why the dog is howling?

Find out more about why dogs howl as well as information on dog first aid at Sarah's Dogs.