Why does my dog howl when ambulances or fire trucks pass by with their sirens going?

Question

It seems like he tries to match the pitch and tone of the siren, too! What is going on here?

Answer 1

It's the high pitch of the siren, which they hear far sooner than you do

Answer 2

Probably several things. First, dogs ears are much more sensitive and keen than humans. Young children have better hearing than teenagers, whose hearing is better than the 30-somethings, etc. As loud sounds or high-pitched sounds cause pain, dogs will howl. Another thing: when tornadoe sirens, etc., go off with a wailing ululation, dogs will often raise their voices, and, as you say, match the pitch and tone. This causes less discomfort to their ears. Also, dogs are a rather superstitious people: I mean, they do howl at the moon!

Answer 3

Your dog does that because the high pitch bothers them..they sound like they are trying to match the pitch but they are trying to mask it..It is like you hearing something that bothers your ears and covering them up to keep from hearing it..

Answer 4

i will have to agree, its the high pitch sound. think of it like this. stand in a tunnel and then have a fire truck or any loud siren blare past you and you should feel allot of vibration in your ears not to mention a slight headache.

Answer 5

I think it is because it has a high pitch alot of dogs do it.

Answer 6

Dogs tend to be scared of loud noises because they have such great hearing that what may not seem loud to you is painful for their ears. They are also not used to the noises.

Answer 7

He's singing along. If the pitch bothered your dog, he'd whimper, whine, yelp, or paw at his ears.

Answer 8

because the high pitch actually hurts his ears my dogs do it to

Answer 9

the sound is to harsh on there ear's ,dogs have supper hearing.