A dog howling is not something rare to see, right? Quite the contrary, it is quite common to find a dog howling around! Having a dog as a best friend is very good, but all this joy can also come with some inconveniences, such as several hairs scattered around the house and the infamous symphony of howls, very common in certain breeds of dogs, such as the Siberian Husky. The question that does notis: why do dogs howl so much? Check it out below!

Why does the dog howl: what is the explanation for this behavior?

It seems that dogs inherited this behavior from their ancestors. Some research conducted on wolves points out that howling is a form of communication in the pack, just as barking is for dogs. Breeds of hunting dogs or those that have been crossed with wolves, such as Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute, are even more likely to develop the habit. But, make no mistake, other typesof dogs can also howl quite often!

The instinct to howl is a way for dogs to communicate with other dogs at a distance. This is because when the dog is howling, its vocal power reaches a much higher pitch. In this way, it can be heard from afar by other dogs. The practice serves to attract attention and locate other animals. In short: dogs howl to communicate, both with other dogs and with other dogs.as with humans.

Dog howling or barking - understand the difference

It may seem easy, but some people still confuse a more intense bark with a supposed howl. The biggest difference is that when the dog is howling, the vocalization reaches a much higher and continuous volume. It is common for the sound to convey a feeling of sadness or anguish, which, most of the time, is just an impression. After all, we already understand that behavior is just a way of getting around.report.

To better understand the habit that dogs have of howling, a good tip is to realize what are the triggers that lead your dog to do this. Does he howl when you leave the house? When there is another animal around? By observing these factors you will be able to understand the practice more easily.

Dogs howl to communicate with other dogs and with people

Different meanings of howling: what can a howling dog indicate?

Now that you've understood that dogs howl to communicate, the question remains: what do they mean by howling? What can these sounds indicate? Check out some possible meanings for your furry friend's howl:

• Presence of a female dog in heat: when a female is in heat, male dogs can smell the air. Literally, okay? When this happens, it's quite common to hear not just one, but several howls nearby. This is nothing less than the dogs' reproductive instinct kicking in.
• Alert other dogs: the intention may be to warn other animals of possible prey, to protect the young or even an attempt to reunite the pack after the hunt.
• Getting the owner's attention: your dog may also be trying to send you a message! If an intruder or anyone strange to the dog enters your home, for example, the dog may use the ability to howl as a way to warn you about the threat to the territory. He may also be trying to ask you for something, such as food and affection.
• Loneliness: a dog howling can often give the impression of suffering. But in fact, this sound may just mean that your pet is struggling with a moment of boredom. It is quite common to see dogs that are left alone for a long time howl to vent frustration or anguish at not having anyone around. So stimulate your pet physically and mentally!
• Separation anxiety: you know when you leave the house and you can hear your dog howling horrendously outside? Then it could mean that your pooch is suffering from separation anxiety. Other signs associated with this condition are: excessive paw licking, stopping eating and destroying personal belongings of the owner.
• Happiness and excitement: on the other hand, it's also possible that puppies howl because they're too happy. Now that's the kind of sound every guardian wants to hear, right?!

Dog howling: truth or myth? Get to know some legends related to canine behavior!

• When the dog howls, does it mean someone is going to die?

No, people, forget that idea. You've already realized that the habit is entirely linked to the animal's instinct. This talk that a dog's howl is a sign of bad omen or something like that is yet another legend of popular wisdom.

• Does the dog's howl have anything to do with the moon?

Once again, no. This mistake is mainly due to the classic image of a wolf howling at the moon. The explanation for this is quite simple: wolves are nocturnal animals, so they communicate mainly at night. The position or phase of the moon has no influence on this practice! In the case of dogs, it is not much different. Dogs have fewer distractions at night, which is why they have less time to communicate with each other.which makes it an ideal time for a chat with friends, if you know what we mean.

However, it's worth noting that some dogs can develop a weird relationship with the moon. It's not impossible for dogs to be afraid of objects like balloons, lighthouses, and other round, shiny things. So, make sure that's not the case with your pet! It's possible that your pet has developed an attachment to the moon.

Dog howling: is it possible to control and reduce the habit?

Although the behavior is natural and even healthy, the noise can end up bothering the residents of the house and the neighbors. To prevent your dog from howling excessively, some steps can be taken. Always observe your routine and try to understand what is the main factor responsible for the practice. If the dog is feeling a lack of attention, for example, you can try to spend more time on it.For every trigger, there is a different solution! Therefore, attention and dedication are the secret to success.