why do dogs howl?

Question

and how to stop it

Answer 1

Dogs communicate in a number of ways, howling is just one. It is basically a rally call when they find themselves alone, they want their pack, that's you, to come back to them. Mine does it when he wakes from a deep sleep and finds that I have left the room. I usually just step back into the hall and stare at him with the 'knock it off' look that owners can so easily put on their faces and he stammers like a bad recording and stops.
When he is outside and starts doing a call to get other dogs to answer, I don't go out immediately, because it is their form of communication. When I do go out I use the word 'enough' in a hard, strong voice, not loud. It's a good word because you can draw it out. It usually stops him until the next time. You will never stop it altogether but you can at least get momentary peace and some control.

Answer 2

Howling is a form of communication in dogs. It is a way for dogs to signal their presence to other dogs that are often located far away. It is common in wolves and coyotes, both relatives of today's domestic dog.

Domestic dogs that howl, especially those that howl excessively are usually doing this because they are bored and lonely. Getting extra toys, and giving your dog more attention and exercise will help to stimulate your dog and reduce excessive howling. If you make your dog sleep outside all night, it's no wonder the dog howls a lot. Bring the dog inside!

Sometimes dogs will howl when they hear sirens or other loud higher pitched sounds like clarinets and flutes. These sounds may even come from a television set. Dogs do this as an instinctive response to hearing what they interpret to be another howl (dog in the distance). They are not doing this because it hurts their ears.

Answer 3

Howling is a means of communication. Some howl to sing like they are happy, some howl to alert you of things. Some howl when lonely, som howl when sad. Some breeds with sencitive hearing will howl in pain when hearing sirens. If I knew the breed, and the conditions when they howl. I would better be able to explain why the dog is howling. Once I know why, I can offer suggestions as to teaching the dog not to howl.

Answer 4

My dog howls when he tries to bark. He is a Beagle and I guess hounds aren't to good at barking. The other two will bark when they hear some strange sound and Snoopy tries to follow suit and ends up with a howl.

Answer 5

dogs howl because it is way of communicating. either it wants to play or eat its all talking. to stop it give it what it wants or pet it and tell him not to howl or if he is outside bring him inside.

Answer 6

dogs howl because its in their blood. wolfs, dingoes and fox's are all in the family of a dog because every dog breed comes from one of those and they all howl!! it just originates from the wild dogs and now what we call domestic pets. one way to stop this oronic behaviour is to get a spray bottle and every time h howls spray it at him but you can get these sitronella spray collars and everytime the collar hears a bark or a howl it sprays it at the dog and they hate it!!! HOPE I HELPED!!!

lots of luck,
Lara

Answer 7

It comes from their wolf heritage - it's there way of communicating with the pack, and claiming territory.

To stop it, just go outside at night, get down on all fours, and howl, "shut the f*ck up", in dog-ese!

Answer 8

Dogs howl because thats how they communicate and they bark!!

Answer 9

dogs howl because a noise is hurting there ears and they want it to stop so they make their own noise because they think that noise will stop.

Answer 10

They howl when they are sad or lonely.
It should be a phase and will stop naturally, if not more attention is needed.