Why do dogs howl? Sirens, music, singing, and when it's a sign of distress

Howling is long-distance communication. Wolves use it to find each other and to keep strangers away, and dogs have kept the call, if not always the reasons for it. The ASPCA says dogs howl to get attention, to make contact with others and to announce that they're there. Some dogs also howl at high-pitched sounds like sirens and musical instruments.¹ Most howling is harmless. Howling that only happens when your dog is alone, or that's new, is worth a closer look.

What howling is for

For wolves, howling is a long-distance call with two jobs: keeping the pack in touch and together, and warning off wolves they don't know. Much less is known about dogs. They have several kinds of howl, but researchers don't yet know what each kind means to a dog.

Why some dogs howl more than others

Breed plays a part. Ancient breeds, such as the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute and the Shiba Inu, are genetically closest to wolves. In one study, older dogs from those breeds answered recorded wolf howls for longer than other dogs did.² A pet dog has no pack to call to, so your dog's howl may not mean what a wolf's would.

Why do dogs howl at sirens?

Sirens are among the high-pitched sounds some dogs howl at. Another dog howling nearby can start them off too.

You'll often read that a siren sounds like a distant howl to a dog, so your dog answers. It fits what howling is for. We found no study that tests it, or any showing that dogs howl at a sound because it hurts. If you want to know how your dog's hearing compares to yours, we cover what dogs hear, and what loud sound does to their ears in a separate post.

Howling at a siren usually stops when the siren does. If the triggers come often, a certified behaviorist or an experienced trainer can help your dog learn that the sound predicts something good.

Why do dogs howl at music, or when you sing?

Like a siren, a high-pitched instrument can start some dogs howling. Howling along doesn't tell you which music, if any, your dog finds calming; we cover the genres researchers have tried on dogs in another post.

No study we found looks at dogs howling when their owners sing, so whether your dog enjoys the duet is anyone's guess. If you sing together, watch for yawning and lip licking, which can be signs of stress.

When howling is a sign of distress

Your dog only howls when you're out. Look for what comes with it: pacing, damage around the house, accidents indoors or low spirits. Film a few departures to show your vet. If being alone looks like the problem, our posts on why no single number of hours fits every dog and separation anxiety toys, and what toys can't fix go further.

Howling at night, especially in an older dog. An older dog may whine or howl at night when they're anxious, need to go out more, want more food or are in pain. Don't put it down to age. Talk to your vet. For other things that wake a dog at night, see why your dog may be barking at nothing.

The howling is new, or your dog howls more than before. Dogs sometimes howl when they're hurt or sick, so see your vet to rule out pain, illness or injury before you try anything else.

How to respond to howling

1. Ignore attention howling completely. If your dog howls at you for food, toys or attention, look away as soon as it starts. Don't touch them, talk to them or scold them. Dogs often find any attention rewarding, so scolding might make the howling worse.
2. Make quiet pay. Give treats and attention at random moments when your dog is quiet. Hold back anything they want (food, toys, a trip outside, petting) until they've been quiet for at least five seconds.
3. Teach "Quiet". Get a howl or a bark going (knocking on a wall or door usually works) and praise it, with no treat. Then say "Quiet." The moment your dog stops for a second or two, say "Good" and give a treat. Stretch the silence slowly, from one second to twenty and beyond.
4. Spend more time together. Some dogs howl because they're lonely, especially dogs left alone or kept outside for many hours. Bring your dog in more, play and walk together, and try a training class that rewards good behavior. When you're out for more than a few minutes, leave them toys and chews.
5. Don't wait to get help. A Certified Professional Dog Trainer can help with attention howling, often through group or private classes. Howling with other signs when you're out may be separation anxiety, so talk to your vet.

Can music help a dog who howls when you leave?

We don't know. No study we found played music to dogs who howl when they're left alone, so the steps above and your vet come first.

We sell a music player for dogs, the Barkwoo Music Box. It's the only calming-music player made to be worn on your dog's collar, so it stays with your dog while you're out. Clip it to any standard collar as you head out; one button press starts the preloaded playlist. You can hear the playlist for dogs home without you or read the music research we rely on.

References

1. ASPCA. Howling. aspca.org ↩︎
2. Lehoczki, F., Andics, A., Kershenbaum, A., Kubinyi, E., Passilongo, D., Root-Gutteridge, H., Range, F., Sánchez, V.P., Schmidt, L., Townsend, S.W., Watson, S.K. & Faragó, T. (2023). Genetic distance from wolves affects family dogs' reactions towards howls. Communications Biology, 6, 129. doi:10.1038/s42003-023-04450-9 ↩︎