Have you ever wondered in what situations dogs howl and why do they even do it? How is it possible that they still hang on this wolfs’ behaviour when they were domesticated such a long time ago?
The fact that howling is innate behaviour that dogs have from their ancestors – wolfs – is probably a well-known thing. Among wolfs, it is a natural way of communication which is necessary for survival. But what is the reason domesticated dogs still do that?
Let’s have a look at it from the basics and summarize all the reasons wolfs and wild dogs have for howling and match them with today’s world experience.
The first reason everybody probably assumes is calling the pack together or in other words the organization of the pack and its guiding. Members who are far away answer by howling to let the pack know about their location and both sides repeat that until they guide each other to the meeting point. That might be the reason why your dog howls when it is ate home alone or someone looks after it in an unfamiliar environment or with unfamiliar people. It calls its family and expresses sadness when they are not around.
However, howling also has the function of warning other pack members against danger – other dogs, for example. Therefore, it is a kind of a defensive mechanism. It sends the message to its pack telling “watch out” as well as intimidates the intruder. That might be the reason why your dog companion howls when it can hear a stranger behind the door or there is a strange dog walks alongside the fence. Howling also strengthens the bond in the pack and shows others the territory has already been taken.
However, this acoustic expression may also have simpler reasons. A dog companion might express its anxiety or frustration that you leave it at home alone again, you don’t pay enough attention to it and it feels lonely. It is a symptom of the separation anxiety.
By howling, a dog might only react to loud noises, it is a response to intensive and unexpected stimuli from the environment. It is often a dog’s reaction to sirens, sometimes even to singing or music. It is a response to what it thinks is its own or another pack. Also, a dog will react if it hears other dog’s howling.
Your dog might also use howling as a way to bring your attention to its injury or to the fact something hurts it. Another reason for howling might simply be happiness, it is the same way of expression as when people sing. Some breeds, such as huskies or malamutes, howl more often, it might be due to their stronger feeling for packs.
What about your dog companion, does it howl often or you haven’t heard it yet? And did you know you can even teach a dog to howl? It is used for hunting dogs to report prey, for example.
It's no secret that dogs like to visit the vet about as much as we like to visit the dentist. For most dogs, it causes stress that lasts for several hours. Thanks to their instincts, they sense it before you even leave for the vet's clinic. How can you...
When we let nature work and we don't interfere with it, it can do wonders. Letting the wolves into Yellowstone National Park and leaving them to their our own fate shows us what a complex system nature is and how dozens of wild beasts can transform...
58-year-old Chris found a new life purpose in rescuing and caring for cats after his son died. It helps him cope with his grief, and it gives him something to do.
Many of us love essential oils, whether it's because of their smell or their curative effects. Every other home has an aroma lamp or diffuser. But did you know what effects these fragrances have on your cats, and that they can seriously harm them?...
You've surely seen the viral videos where cats jump away in fright and are in complete shock because of a cucumber. Would you like to know the reason for this? Are cats afraid of this harmless vegetable, or is there another reason?
This little dog is very dependent on its owner. It is boundlessly dedicated to its owner and will do anything to cheer him up. It's not surprising that it's also referred to as an antidepressant dog. After all, just looking at this dog will put...
Although their appearance and nature is somewhat similar to that of the Norwegian Forest cat and Maine Coon cats, Siberian cats are not as popular. Outside of Russia and the former Eastern Bloc, they are not well known and are not seen very often. In...
Dogs are an inseparable part of our lives. But how to do it when your dream is to travel around the world on a sailboat or any other adventure? Take your furry friend with you. What shouldn’t you forget when preparing for a long journey wherever it...
The second day of Hindi festival called Tihar is devoted to dogs. Their loyalty and devotion is celebrated, they are honoured as companions, guardians and friends. A holiday which is full of lights and colours doesn’t forget about stray dogs and it is...
Brown rats are very cleanly animals. You can see them licking themselves several times a day and thus keeping their fur in a perfect condition. They suffer if their environment is not suitable, even though they can survive it. Many people think they...
For us, devoted dog parents, changes in our lives often include our dog companions. Moreover, the stuff we do to keep our furry friends happy and healthy also commonly influence us as well. We owe them for better life and they deserve to get the same...
It is sometimes fine to disrupt dogs’ routine by an interesting activity and what might be better than to teach your dog some tricks. Dogs hate boredom, even the greatest lazybones welcome some distraction. Here you have a couple of tips for tricks you...
