Why it happens
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Answering a siren
An ambulance or fire engine siren rises and falls much like another dog's howl. The dog answers as if keeping the conversation going and stops once the siren fades. If it is not hiding or trembling at the time, the sound is not hurting it.
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Music and singing
An accordion, a violin, high singing or a phone ringtone invites some dogs to join in. That duet is communication, not distress.
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Other dogs nearby
When one dog starts howling in the evening in a village or among allotments, others soon join in. Howling tells the rest where the dog is and marks its territory with sound.
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Breed
Huskies, malamutes and other northern sled dogs use their voices far more than other dogs. Hounds, beagles and Lithuanian hounds among them, were bred to give voice when they find game on a hunt, so they are loud at home too.
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Asking for attention
If someone comes over, talks to the dog or hands it a titbit every time it howls, it quickly learns that howling works. That is how an odd howl turns into a habit.
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Being left alone
Howling in an empty home is the dog calling for its people. If it also scratches at the door, destroys things or wets the floor, it is separation anxiety, covered in more detail on the page "Dog cannot be left alone".
What helps
- Let it howl briefly A short howl at a siren or music is normal and harmless, and it stops by itself. Do not scold: to the dog, your raised voice may sound like joining the chorus, or it may make it anxious.
- Reward the quiet If the howling bothers the neighbours, calmly call the dog over, ask it to sit and praise it or give it a treat while it is quiet. The dog learns that silence earns more than noise.
- Do not come while it howls If the dog howls for attention, do not go to it at that moment; come and praise it once it falls silent. But if it may be frightened or in pain, check what is going on first.
- Enough exercise and things to do Huskies and hounds need long walks, running and sniffing. A tired dog that has had a good sniff, and has a chew or a puzzle feeder at home, looks for fewer chances to sing.
- Build up time alone gradually If the dog howls when you leave, start with very short absences, leave and come back calmly and give it a puzzle feeder. Make the time longer only while the dog stays calm.
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When to see a trainer or behaviourist
If the dog howls every time it is left alone and gradual practice does not help, see a qualified trainer or behaviourist who uses reward-based methods only. In the meantime, try not to leave the dog alone for longer than it can calmly manage.
When it is a question for a vet
See a vet if the dog has started howling suddenly and for no clear reason, especially an older dog at night, if it seems confused, wanders around the house or no longer recognises familiar places, if it whimpers or howls when moving, lying down or being touched, or if it is also off its food or listless.