Why Is My Dog Howling? (And How To Get Them To Stop?)
Seeking attention, guarding their toys, protecting what's "theirs" - you've got a whole bunch of reasons why you've got a howling dog at home. Here's how to figure out what they're telling you - and when it might signal an emergency.
Whether you’ve just adopted them or had them for years, dealing with a howling dog can lead to a fountain of Internet memes if you’re filming a canine chorus…or be a major pain in the butt at worst. (Especially if you’ve got neighborhood quiet times to stick to!)
But is your buddy (or buddies) just doing it out of boredom, channeling their inner wolves, auditioning for the nextseason of The Voice…or actually trying to communicate something?
Howling is an instinctual behavior for dogs. Much like barking, growling, or whining, it’s just another way dogs communicate. (Just like your dog’s wild ancestors might have in their packs.)
For example, howling helps wolves and wild dogs send a message over long distances. Like signalling where they are or calling all the pack members to gather round.
🐺 In many ways, your buddy hasn’t changed that much from their wild ancestors. (Yes, no matter how much of a pampered furball they are.)
But if you’re dealing with a canine cacophony on the regular, you wouldn’t be the first to wonder: Why is my dog howling? Is it just for attention – or is something amiss?
Why is my dog howling? (And when it is cause for concern?)
Primarily, a howling dog is trying to communicate something – either to you, other dogs, or just about anyone who’ll listen. So when they’re at it, they might be expressing:
Excitement
Anxiety
Confusion
Acknowledging the presence of other dogs
Bonding with your other dogs (especially if you’ve got a bunch at home)
Establishing who’s boss – your multi-dog household does need a hierarchy, after all!
🐶 Are some dogs more likely to howl than others?
If you’ve got multiple dogs at home, one with a more “dominant” personality might howl a bit more than the others to show them who’s boss.
Puppies might howl more since they’re still growing, essentially helpless, and need a ton of attention. Since their senses are developing, they might also pick up on high-pitched sounds we can’t hear. But which put them on alert mode – and trigger some howling and vocalizing.
💡How about senior dogs? Turns out, if your older buddy is from an “ancient breed” – or one more genetically related to wolves – they might actually howl more than younger dogs!1
Likewise, some working dog breeds, like Huskies and Malamutes. These dogs were bred to run long distances tugging along sleds. (Either for races or as part of transport.) Meaning, they might be more likely to howl to communicate over long distances.
The same applies for former hunting dog breeds, like Beagles and “hound” dogs. They might “bay” – or howl at a lower frequency – to alert hunters they’ve spotted prey and are about to chase it down.
So to go back to the question – why is my dog howling? – it could be due to…
Sounds
Which include high-pitched frequencies that you might not hear – but your dog definitely does! Like, for example, the humming of your indoor appliances, household items, or even instruments like pianos or harmonicas.
Otherwise, loud noises – like ambulance sirens or the honking of passing cars – can also trigger some anxiety-related barking and howling. (Even more so if your dog has noise anxiety.)
All these noises might make your dog howl to alert you, other dogs, and everyone else about a “threat” in the environment.
In some cases, your dog might even howl as a response to your voice! If you sing out loud or similar, your buddy might join in – thinking you’re communicating with them in their “language.”
💡 Your dog’s sense of hearing is at least a billion times more sensitive than ours. So keep an ear out if you notice them howling more often when they hear specific sounds – like, for example, when the garbage truck rattles by.
Does your dog howl most when you leave home – or close the toilet door on them for longer than a few seconds? It could be separation anxiety. And while this might seem cute, left unattended, it might turn up as destructive behaviors like:
Chewed up slippers
Peeing all over your house
Barking, whining, and howling all day – and ending up a nuisance in your neighborhood
And even escape attempts – likely to find you! (Where they might even injure themselves trying to escape or end up getting lost outdoors.)
If you suspect your buddy might have separation anxiety, it’s possible they’re howling to express their discomfort – maybe even calling out to you in the hope you’ll come back home.
How you can help your buddy overcome any separation anxiety
Set up an enriching home environment for your buddy when you’re away. Ideally, including toys, treats, a blanket or sweater with your scent, and even some dog TV, if your buddy isn’t in the habit of leaping at the screen!
Make gradual departures a part of your regular training. Start by leaving the room for (very) short amounts of time – and interact with your dog normally when you return. So they slowly learn that it’s no big deal when you do leave and return.
Do spend a ton of quality time with your dog when you return – and don’t skip out on this step! The resulting love and trust it’ll build in your buddy is 100% worth it.
Your vet can best advise you if your dog could benefit from anti-anxiety medication or work with a professional dog trainer to overcome their anxiety.
Ideally, you aren’t leaving your dog home alone for longer than a few hours. (Especially if they’re a puppy that needs more frequent toilet breaks!) Ensuring they have some company, whether in the form of another pet or pet sitter, can work wonders.
“When leaving home, if I say goodbye to my dogs, they want to come with me.
So I just leave without saying anything – and they’re OK with it!“
– Marina Selinger, UX designer at Tractive & certified dog trainer
Much like us, dogs can get up to quite a bit of mischief out of plain boredom – or because they’re lonely and want attention. Meaning, they need at least some amount of physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. (Especially if you have to leave yours home alone on the regular.)
Howling helps your dog release any pent-up energy and frustration – kind of like how we fidget or pace around when bored or restless.
Besides, if you’re only paying attention to your dog to scold them for howling, they don’t really mind if it’s “negative” attention!
Certain high-energy dog breeds, like Huskies and Border Collies, tend to be more vocal than others. (It’s what they were bred for, in the first place.) So you might experience more boredom-related howling as a result – especially if they don’t have a “job” to keep them busy!
🐶 Which is where you’ll find it helps to:
Get your dog at least a walk before you leave. Try and schedule it around the time you take them out for their morning toilet break – just a few blocks before you head to work.
Interactive toys like puzzle feeders can help keep your buddy occupied indoors when you’re not around.
Dog TV is another option, with some 8-10 hour long videos on YouTube. Just be mindful you pick one that doesn’t drive your dog to leap at your TV screen!
Make sure someone checks up on your dog periodically – both to give them some company and let them out for another toilet break, if necessary. A dog walker/sitter or even a nearby dog day care can help them get the attention and activity they need.
Pain
Sadly, another reason you might find your dog howling is if they’re in pain. Watch out for sudden howling and vocalizing out of nowhere – it could be that they’ve been injured or are experiencing a medical issue.
If you’ve got a senior dog suddenly howling and vocalizing, it could indicate age-related health issues, like:
Arthritis, especially if they aren’t able to get around as easily as before
Or even cognitive decline, or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) – similar to dementia in humans. If your senior dog seems to primarily howl at night, it could be because they’re feeling confused or disoriented – so they’re howling to signal their discomfort.
If you notice other, concerning symptoms, like lethargy or a loss of appetite, get in touch with your vet immediately.
💡One of the first signs of cognitive decline in dogs? A change in their sleep patterns.
Which, to be fair, can be pretty hard to track. It’s not like you can hover over your buddy every waking minute, jotting down every snore and twitch. (Especially when you need your own sleep.)
✅ With its built-in motion detector, your Tractive GPS doubles as an Activity and Sleep Tracker for pets – logging in your dog’s movements throughout the day. (Including when they’re asleep.)
Which, with time, can help you figure out:
What’s a normal amount of sleep your dog gets
What kind of quality sleep your dog gets – inlcuding any wakeups or disturbances
If there’s a weird dip or spike in your dog’s sleep minutes, which could indicate a health issue.
So you can bring this actionable data to your vet – and have a more productive conversation rather than relying on your memory alone.
With their heightened senses, your dog’s howling might be triggered by something in your environment – which is out of sight, smell, or hearing range of us humans.
This might include:
Changes in atmospheric pressure, which could signal an approaching storm
Animals outdoors – even miles away – invading their territory
Other natural phenomena, including even earthquakes
All of which might trigger some howling as an instinctive reaction to warn others or seek safety.
Uh-oh, you might be on the path to becoming a dog grandparent! If you’ve got a female dog older than 6 months at home, howling more than normal – it could be a sign they’re in heat.
Female dogs tend to go in heat in regular cycles across the year – and during this time, they might howl and vocalize more to draw the attention of any nearby male dogs.
Which, if you’re living in a neighborhood full of un-neutered dogs, can be bad news – since every male dog in your vicinity is likely to pick up on her scent.
This might lead to some unwanted “intruders” in your backyard – but also your female dog growing more restless and antsy as a result. (Including pawing and attempting to step over your backyard fence!)
⚠️ The reproductive instinct is one of the primary reasons dogs run away from home – sometimes covering several miles to find a mate.
So check your backyard fencing extra, inform your neighbors, and check with your vet whether spaying and/or neutering your dog is an option at this point. (Since these can all help tremendously in curbing any wandering and mating behaviors.)
Else, in an emergency – like if your dog’s jumped the fence to find themselves the paw-fect mate…
Most dogs are territorial by nature – so howling is their way of showing others who’s boss or to stay away from what’s “theirs.” This could include their toys, indoor and outdoor spaces, home, or family.
So, for example, if your buddy might howl as a way of signalling “Back off!” to:
The Amazon or Uber Eats delivery folks approach your doorstep
Strangers walking past your yard on the sidewalk
Other animals in your yard, including squirrels, birds, and definitely other dogs!
(Aka, anyone they feel is an “intruder.”)
You’ll see this territorial howling a bit more often in dogs bred to guard people, property, or livestock – including the Shepherd family, Great Pyrenees, and Border Collies. Some amount of this is 100% normal and not really cause for concern – though it can be a bother if your dog gets triggered by just about anyone passing by outdoors!
💡Socializing your dog early to different people, places, and pets can help them gradually overcome this “territorial” instinct to guard what’s theirs – since they learn how to behave around others. (And vice versa.)
Besides, you’re also better off paying your dog plenty of attention and giving them a ton of cuddles and praise when they DO behave. I.e., when they share their toys, don’t leap for the door when it’s rung, or get along with other dogs in “their” spaces. Aka, reinforce their good behaviors positively.
An older dog that might wander off due to getting disoriented – and not be able to find their way back home,
Not fully-trained, so still more likely to fall prey to their “flight” instinct,
Anxious and prone to spooking when you’re not around – including escape attempts,
Territorial and with a high prey-drive, driven to chase down any “intruders” in their space
Maybe your dog ticks off some of these boxes – or more or fewer.
⚠️ But at the end of the day, even the best-trained dogs can fall prey to their instinct to run away in different situations.
Which is where you’re best off investing in:
Regular training – including with the pros, if necessary
It might seem tedious, but in an emergency, your dog’s basic obedience training can be a lifesaver. Commands like “Come back!” and “Stay,” are especially helpful for an energetic, vocal dog that’s in the habit of leaping at the sound of a doorbell or off chasing whatever sight, sound, or smell they catch.
Plus, besides regular obedience training, here are a few extra tips to wean your buddy off any howling or barking:
Distract them with a toy and a “Stay” command, so they’re occupied while you answer the door.
Give your dog a “job” to do – like putting away their toys or transporting items from one spot to another in your house. With time, you can graduate to more complex tasks, like waking up your kids, closing doors, or finding lost items.
Reward your dog plenty when they’re quiet and well-behaved. All too often, we might only give our dogs “attention” when they’re misbehaving – which you do want to avoid. So keep some treats at hand for when your buddy responds to commands like “Quiet,” or “Stay.”
Revisit your obedience training every so often to keep your dog’s memory fresh.
Don’t hesitate to get started with teaching your dog new tricks and commands – yes, even if they’re a puppy or a senior dog. The mental activity can prevent any boredom-related howling or mischief.
If your buddy’s howling stems from anxiety or fear, your vet, a professional behavioral specialist or training school can help you address these underlying issues.
But like we’ve covered, even the best-trained dogs can fall prey to anxiety, fear, or any instinct that drives them to jump the fence, bolt down the block, or just run away to burn off some extra energy.
Which is why you should also find…
A secure fence – if possible
Escape-proofing your home and backyard goes a long way. A secure physical fence can help your buddy learn their boundaries – so they can run around, play, and burn off any extra energy from some safe, supervised outdoor time.
Make sure your fencing is high enough that your dog can’t jump over it.
You might also need to reinforce the bottom of your fence with chicken wire or coyote rollers to prevent your buddy from digging under it.
Do your best to avoid using electric fences or anything that uses a static shock to prevent an escape. Both vets and animal rights groups discourage the use of aversive techniques like these, since they’re more likely to worsen your dog’s anxiety or fearful behaviors.
⚠️ Got a weirdly-shaped yard that’s impossible to fence, weird HOA rules, or don’t have the budget to set up a physical fence? (Let’s admit it, they’re expensive, cumbersome, and need a ton of time and energy to set up and maintain over time.)
🏡 From your Tractive mobile app, you can set a “safe zone” around your home and backyard – so your tracker starts to monitor it right away as your dog wanders through it.
Now the minute your dog spots an “intruder” the block over or just outside the “safe zone” – you’ll get an escape alert if they venture outside of it. So you can intervene right away and get them back to safety, just in time.
And the best part? You can even monitor your safe zones remotely – like if you’re on vacation out of town.
⚠️ Don’t underestimate your buddy’s ability to scale even the highest fence – especially if they’re on the athletic side! (And if you’ve got something in the way to give them a bit of a hike up.)
Which is why you’re best off finding…
A way to ensure your dog is easy to identify
Depending on where you live, a dog collar with an ID tag may actually be a legal requirement – especially one containing your contact details, your dog’s name, and any other vital info. This is an important emergency measure that can be tremendously helpful in:
Identifying your dog if they get lost – and you as their owner
Preventing your dog from being mistaken as a stray – and taken to a local pound or shelter
Eventually reuniting you with your dog
💡But since ID tags can fall off, get smudged, or lost, you’re also best off with getting your dog a microchip.
These grain-sized, implantable devices have reunited countless lost dogs with their parents and are another crucial safety measure.
A vet can implant a microchip between your dog’s shoulder blades in just a few minutes – and now it functions like a permanent ID tag for your dog. (Once you add your contact details to the microchip database.)
So now if someone finds your dog, they can take your buddy to a vet or shelter to get their microchip scanned – and identify you as the owner.
Make sure to keep your microchip details updated in the database, especially if you move around town, cities, or even countries.
⚠️ Just remember: relying only on a microchip or an ID tag means you’re essentially leaving your dog’s safety in the hands of strangers.
Neither microchips nor ID tags come with built-in GPS tracking or any real-time location functions.
They can only help someone identify your dog – not actually track them down.
Which, if your dog runs into a pet thief, is actually no guarantee they’ll actually return your dog to you!
That’s why, besides ensuring your dog has some kind of ID, you should also invest in…
A way to actually find your dog – without relying on strangers
You’ve trained them regularly, set up a fence, gotten them microchipped…and there’s still no end to the dangers your dog might run into outdoors by themselves.
Including getting:
Injured by passing cars, animals, or people
Stolen, especially if they’re a rare breed or not spayed/neutered yet
Get to the bottom of your dog’s howling & fix it for good
Dogs howl for a whole bunch of reasons – usually as an instinctive response and as a way to communicate with you, other dogs, and anyone else who’ll listen.
Some dog breeds (especially working dog breeds and those more closely genetically linked to wolves) might howl more and generally be more vocal than others, since that’s how they were historically trained.
For the most part, howling is a completely normal and harmless behavior – though you do want to get to the bottom of things if it’s getting excessive. (And causing a problem with your neighbors!)
Especially if it’s due to:
Sounds and other changes in your environment, including ones you can’t hear or sense, like atmospheric pressure – which can signal an approaching storm. Else, loud noises from passing cars or fireworks can trigger some panicked howling and barking.
Anxiety, especially if your dog isn’t used to being left by themselves for too long.
Boredom, loneliness, and attention-seeking – all of which can trigger a runaway attempt.
Pain, including from injuries or other health issues.
Reproductive instincts, including being in heat.
Territorial instincts, including protecting what’s “theirs.”
In most cases, revisiting your dog’s basic obedience training, keeping them “distracted” from the trigger, preventing them from getting bored, and a ton of positive reinforcement can go a long way.
⚠️ But in some cases, the underlying cause behind your dog’s howling – i.e., fear, anxiety, or even their instincts – can lead to dangerous situations. Especially if your dog is distressed enough to run away.
✅ In these cases, you’re best off planning ahead and taking preventive measures like securing your fence and ensuring your dog has an ID tag and microchip to help a stranger identify them.
And in an emergency, just hit “LIVE” on your Tractive device – and track your buddy in real-time, every time.
Always know where your dog is
Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.
