How to stop a dog from howling: advice from dog handlers

Why is the dog howling in the yard? This question has been asked by people both before and now. There is scientific and popular opinion regarding this behavior of pets. Sometimes a howl speaks of something bad, approaching danger, adversity, and so on. And sometimes this is just an indicator of how much the pet loves its owner. Everything is described in more detail below.

Why does the dog howl?

The Scientific Explanation of Dog Howling

In most cases, from a scientific point of view, howling is explained by the instincts that pets inherited from their ancestors. Thus, experts say that with the help of howls, animals inform each other about the presence of a stranger on their territory or that there is prey nearby.

However, the howl can also indicate something else:

The pet is in pain. By making drawn-out sounds, the dog says that it does not feel well, is bothered by a wound, and so on.
The animal is bored or misses its owner. Howling is a way to show that your pet wants to run or play with its loved one.
The dog is afraid. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as fireworks or the sound of a siren.
The reason may be that the dog is simply hungry and communicates it that way.

Interesting! Besides everything, a howl can also indicate the animal’s joy, for example, that a person has returned home. Most people, over time, begin to distinguish the tones of howling and understand what exactly the dog is missing.

Instincts left over from ancestors

For what reasons can a dog howl?

As you can understand, the causes of dog howling can be very different. The pet can thus report that it is experiencing pain, physical discomfort, or a feeling of hunger. Sometimes this is how a pet expresses boundless joy or simply says that he is bored.

There are situations when dogs howl heart-rendingly if they or their owner is in danger. There have been many examples in history when people were saved during a night fire only because a dog woke them up in time.

Howls can also be amorous or purely sociable. So very often you can notice that if a dog howls or barks somewhere, the pets that are nearby begin to answer him. This is especially true for those who live in a country house or in a private house.

There are many signs that accompany dog howls. So, in particular, in the old days it was believed that in this way the animal announced its imminent death, both its own and its owner. Various types of signs are described in more detail below.

Why does a dog howl - the main reasons

The ability to howl to dogs was passed on from their predatory ancestors - wolves.

The howling of a dog, especially in the dark, frightens and irritates many people. Partly, this attitude towards such sounds is associated with folk superstitions that attribute the prediction of various troubles to dog howls:

on the moon - to a change in the weather for the worse;
on a dark, moonless night - to future troubles and even war;
looking at a specific person - to his illness or death;
massive howling of dogs in the area - to a dead person in a populated area;
the howling of a homeless dog - to bad news from afar;
Howling of a pet while simultaneously bending its head to the floor means the death of a family member.

Zoologists and dog handlers are skeptical about folk signs. In their opinion, such behavior of the dog is explained only by its own physical or mental state. In each specific case, there is a completely logical explanation:

Deterioration in health. The animal is trying to inform its owner about the disease. This is a kind of complaint, and at the slightest suspicion of an illness, the owner should take the pet to the veterinarian.
Discomfort. The animal may be cold, hungry, or some strong smell bothers it.
Instincts. Sometimes dogs howl to warn of danger threatening their owner or home.
Fear. The dog is frightened by sharp sounds, flashes of light, and fireworks. In this situation, the person screams, and the dog howls.
Yearning. This is the most common cause of howling in a dog, especially when sitting on a chain. Howling is a sublimation of loneliness, a manifestation of a lack of attention on the part of a person.
The basic Instinct. Sensing a female nearby, a male dog may begin to howl, demanding to be let go “on a date.” Punishing a pet for such behavior is stupid and even cruel. It is better to provide an opportunity to realize a natural desire by arranging a meeting with the opposite sex for your pet.
The desire to communicate with relatives. People communicate with loved ones at a distance using the telephone, and dogs use their voices for the same purposes. This is how they inform their relatives about their location from all over the area.
Territory protection. Hearing the steps of strangers, the dog howls notifies the owner of the danger.
Expression of dissatisfaction with the actions of the owner. Dogs do not like manipulations with their body: bathing, haircuts, sharpening their nails, etc. Starting to howl loudly and protractedly, they try to force the owner to abandon his intentions and leave them alone.

The logical explanation for howling while bending the head to the floor is the smell of a seriously ill person. Irreversible processes in the body of a dying person cause a specific smell that is detected only by the dog’s sensitive nose. The animal covers its nose from this dying aroma, expressing its dissatisfaction and longing for the imminent loss with a plaintive howl or whine.

The meaning of the sign depending on the details

Why is the dog howling? In the old days, people were much more superstitious than they are now. Therefore, there are a large number of very diverse interpretations and signs for dog howls. In many ways, it all depends on the situation: when and how the pet shows its anxiety. It is worth saying that these signs have never been scientifically confirmed, but sometimes they still work.

On the street or in the yard

A dog howling in the yard, no matter during the day, evening or night, is a bad sign. At least that's what was thought before. At one time, this was explained by the fact that the beast sensed an approaching evil spirit or danger. The worst thing was if a strange dog came into the yard and started singing.

In addition, there are other signs associated with dog howling in the yard:

When an animal begins to make drawn-out sounds and at the same time digs the ground, this indicates that a quick funeral is expected in the house. The trouble can affect both the owner and his family members.
If a young girl from the window saw several dogs howling at once, this indicates an imminent wedding.
Animals howling throughout the village indicate that difficult times are coming that will affect everyone.
If an animal rolls on the ground and howls at the same time, it indicates that the owner should prepare for changes in life.
When a pet sings at night, while pointing its muzzle towards the house, this means that troubles will soon befall the owners.
If the howls are addressed to a specific person, he should expect trouble.

If a dog howls in the yard, expect trouble

If the neighbor's dog howls

The howls of a neighbor's dog always indicated that trouble would soon come to someone else's house. Which one specifically was not specified, but it is worth noting that this does not always indicate death or serious illness. Perhaps the person is simply unlucky. This did not apply to other neighbors, including those living nearby.

Interestingly, many believed that if the howling continued for several days, then a fire would soon occur in this house. Moreover, this must certainly happen through the fault of the owner himself. Careless handling of fire, and in the modern world with gas equipment. In the latter case, it even makes a certain sense, since the animal can actually detect even a slight gas leak. A person should pay attention to this.

Attention! Dogs can detect even small amounts of gas in the air and may howl because of it.

In a house or apartment

A dog's howling by itself cannot bring trouble to the house. However, this way the dog can communicate about danger that people do not yet notice. Gas has already been discussed in the previous paragraph. As for the signs of howling in the house, they are as follows:

When a dog howls in a specific direction, in a certain room or on a wall, it means that misfortune awaits the person living behind it. The worst thing is when the animal does not shut up for several days.
A dog throwing its head up and howling at the same time reports a fire. Moreover, this sign, as a rule, indicates that a fire should occur in the near future or has already begun. This is because pets have a much more subtle sense of smell and can immediately detect fumes.
In cases where a dog lies on the floor and whines pitifully, it is generally accepted that the person in the house will soon become ill. However, the reason may also lie in the fact that the pet itself is experiencing pain or discomfort.
If a dog begins to show anxiety around a sick person, circling around his bed, whining and howling, this may indicate that his life is hanging by a thread. It happens that such situations helped to react in time and provide the necessary assistance.
It was believed that if a dog hides under the bed and howls there, it is necessary to contact the priest, since evil spirits have settled in the house.

An animal howls at a wall or a specific room - a person is in danger of trouble

Howl at the newlyweds

It was believed that if a dog starts barking or howling towards the newlyweds, this is a bad sign. This is how the dog shows that the marriage will be short-lived and unhappy. At the same time, there is a completely opposite omen regarding an animal with white fur. In this case, the dog howls because the family will soon have a new addition.

Important! You shouldn't take such signs too seriously. If you take the issue too seriously, it can only lead to additional problems and troubles.

What does it mean if a dog whines?

An equally important question is: why did the dog suddenly start lying and whining for a long time? You can, of course, again turn to folk signs and superstitions, but first of all it is recommended to assess the condition of the animal itself.

Prolonged and plaintive whining most often indicates that the dog is not feeling well. Perhaps something is bothering him inside or he got a splinter in his paw while walking. In most cases, it is recommended to take your pet to a doctor.

Sometimes the reason can be purely psychological. Perhaps the animal misses its beloved owner, who has been gone for a long time, or is experiencing a stressful situation. It is worth remembering whether there were any incidents that negatively affected the animal’s psyche. Perhaps the family recently moved to a new place or the dog was severely scolded for misbehavior.

If your dog is whining, he may have health problems.

Bottom line

For dogs, barking, howling and other vocalizations are a natural form of communication. They can be onerous, but the owner's role is to understand and accept the dog's natural needs and instincts. Don't deal with them with specific punishments, as they can either reinforce the unwanted behavior or mask the cause, causing frustration and exacerbating the problem. Avoid inventions such as collars that shock your dog when he makes sounds. They can cause a number of unpleasant consequences - from health to behavior.

When this type of behavior becomes bothersome, we can consult a behaviorist and determine their basis - observing the dog is the basis . We must pay attention to the circumstances in which vocalization occurs and when it stops, and be careful not to reflexively reinforce it, for example by “comforting” the dog. It's also good to remember that vocalizations often indicate pain. Any sudden change in a dog’s behavior should cause us concern, because this may indicate serious health problems!

Interpretation of signs taking into account the time of day

For signs, it is also important what time of day the dog started howling. Sometimes the same situations can be interpreted differently if it happened in the morning or at night. It is worth noting that if dog songs do not stop day or night, it is generally believed that great misfortune awaits the owners.

For the night time, howling has an exclusively negative meaning. If a dog sits down near the gate and begins to sing protractedly, it means trouble. There was also an opinion that in such situations an evil and unclean force wanders near the house, which is why the animal behaves this way.

The problem is that there is no exact data on what exactly to expect. It can bring trouble from any direction and in any form. A fire may occur, a crop failure may occur, a relative may die, and so on. If we consider the situation as a whole, it is recommended to simply be on guard.

In the daytime, howling is associated with quarrels in the house, squabbles, manifestations of aggression and assault. Not too nice. In this case, it is recommended to try to restrain your own emotions and not succumb to provocations.

Although, on the other hand, in some cases, dog songs during the day or morning can signal an imminent wedding, pregnancy, and generally positive things. How should a person react to such situations? Everything depends on him.

What should an owner do if his dog howls?

Since there are quite a lot of signs and they are mostly negative, many ways have been invented to neutralize the approaching misfortune. Several variants:

If an animal barks at a passerby and at the same time follows him all the time, howling heart-rendingly, it is recommended to give alms to the poor. You also need to go through 3 intersections and 3 bridges if possible. This way you can ward off the curse imposed on yourself.
In the case when the animal clearly points to the door, it is recommended to fill a bucket of clean water and then pour it on the threshold. They also usually say “It’s time or not time, let death leave my yard.” You can't swear at a dog. On the contrary, you need to praise her and give her a treat.
When a dog howls in a kennel or sitting on a chain, you need to go to church, pray and light a candle for health. It doesn't hurt to give mercy to those in need either.
The dog howls at the sky at night, which makes a person unable to sleep, as soon as he turns over the pillow with the phrase “on his head.” It is believed that this will help drive away bad energy and bring in positive energy.
In addition, it is often recommended to carry out simple manipulations for neutralization. You should approach the dog, remove the shoe and turn it over with the sole up. Then you should stand on the shoe with your foot and stand there for a while. In this way you can scare away a malicious spirit.
In the case when the dog behaves restlessly for several days, it is necessary to go to the gate at night and say: “Trouble should not go to this gate. The dog barks, the wind blows.” However, if the animal’s behavior has not changed in any way after this, it is believed that problems cannot be avoided.

You can go to church to remove the damage

Why does a dog howl in the yard, on a chain and at home, at night?

It is believed that dogs' ability to howl is related to their ancestors - wolves. But wolves transmit information among themselves through howls, being at a fairly large distance from each other. In this way they notify the flock of their location and find their brothers. This is where dogs have the ability to howl like a wolf. You've probably noticed that when one dog howls, all the dogs in the area immediately begin to howl. So why does a dog howl, and how to deal with it? We will try our best to help you solve this problem.

Let's look at the most common causes of a dog's howling

If you hear a loud, prolonged howl, it means that your shaggy friend is informing his brothers about himself and his location.
A pet can howl to inform its owner about some danger, for example, about a flood, a fire, or an earthquake. Dogs are very sensitive to all seismic changes, and they also have a very developed sense of smell. They can smell the smell of smoke and thus inform their owner and fellow animals of impending danger.
Quite often, the cause of dog howling is boredom. A pet, when left alone, howls from loneliness, as it misses its owner very much. So, left at home by himself, he first whines pitifully, and then begins to howl loudly and for a long time.
Sometimes your dog may whine if something is bothering him or he is in pain. In this case, you should contact your veterinarian to rule out any suspicion of illness in the animal.
If your dog constantly howls during the day in your presence, it means he is not getting enough attention. Most likely, your friend is hungry and asks for food or wants some kind of treat. In the same way, he can express his desire to play or go for a walk. This behavior is especially observed in hunting dogs.
There are also cases when a dog expresses his joy with the help of a howl - he howls quietly when you just come home.
Howl to the music. A dog's hearing is much more sensitive than a human's. When you play loud music, your dog starts howling. Harsh and loud sounds negatively affect her eardrums. Here, by howling, the animal expresses its dissatisfaction and asks you, as the owner, to eliminate the cause of the noise.
In spring, dogs, especially huskies, react quite sensitively to the changing phases of the moon. During a full moon, not only people cannot sleep, but dogs also experience some discomfort. That is why, when worried, they can “howl at the moon.”

There is a popular saying: if a dog howls with its nose down to the ground, expect the death of close relatives. But all these are just superstitions and possible coincidences that should not be paid attention to.

Let's stop the dog from howling. To do this, find the cause of the howling and eliminate it. We will tell you how further in our article.

If your dog wants to attract your attention with his howling or asks for some favorite treat, you need to be patient and not react to the dog in any way. Immediately after the dog has calmed down, give him his favorite treat and praise him by patting him on the head. Thus, over time, the pet will develop the opposite habit - not howl.
If your dog howls while chained, you need to let him run. It is also recommended to pay more attention to it. Experienced dog handlers advise owners to tell him the command “Sing” when the dog howls, and when he calms down, say “Stop” or “Quiet” and give him a little treat.
If your dog howls to music or other high-pitched or loud noises, the cause of the noise will need to be addressed.
If your shaggy friend begins to howl systematically, you should show him to the veterinarian to rule out the presence of some kind of disease or pain syndrome.
When a dog howls in your absence, it will take more than one day to re-educate. Dog handlers and veterinarians recommend buying an Anti-Lay collar as one of the options. While the dog begins to howl, the owner should be nearby, but not in its field of vision. By pressing the remote control button, water will flow from the spray bottle onto the collar. The dog will become silent for a while and will be a little shocked. It is recommended to repeat the procedure. After the dog calms down, the owner should come out and give him a treat. But under no circumstances buy a collar with an electric impulse, as it has a negative impact on the psyche and health of your pet.
If your dog suddenly begins to howl quite often, take him to the vet to make sure he is not in pain.
If you don’t have time to train your pet, an experienced dog handler can wean it off howling or tell you more about the reasons for howling.

What to do with a howling dog

If you throw away all superstitions and think logically, then your pet’s behavior is not just an accident or an omen of trouble. When your pet begins to behave unusually, you should be careful. First of all, it is recommended to check the condition of the house. As already mentioned, animals smell burning and gas. It's best to be cautious and double-check everything.

If everything is fine with the house, then the reason should be looked for in the pet itself. Most likely, something is bothering him. You can try to feed, caress and just play with the animal. In other cases, it is best to contact a veterinarian.

It should be understood that the dog cannot speak, and informs the owner about its condition in any way available to him.

Attention! What you definitely shouldn’t do is ignore the animal’s behavior and condition, swear at it, scream or hit it. It is necessary to understand everything thoroughly.

If your dog is howling, it is recommended to take him to the doctor.

The dog barks and howls. Methods to resolve the problem.

We have discussed some reasons above. Some of them require a special approach.

Systematic desensitization and counterconditioning

In cases where signs of unwanted behavior are related to the animal's emotional state, desensitization and counterconditioning can be used to help cope with the stimuli.

This technique is used when the problem lies in the emotional state of the animal in response to certain things. In such cases, it is not enough to simply learn the command; for example, shut up and I'll give you a toy. It will be more effective to try to change the motivation along with the emotional state that causes destructive behavior.

Systematic desensitization and counterconditioning is a method of getting rid of fear, anxiety, phobias, aggression - any behavior that is based on an emotional state. Often, using two methods at once is more productive in solving issues of behavior of representatives of the animal world. To familiarize yourself with these methods, please read the article.

If you agree that these methods are appropriate for behavior problems, then try to find professional help from dog handlers. but before you start working with a specific specialist, make sure that he has the necessary experience in working with desensitization and counterconditioning

Learning good manners

If your pet seeks attention or asks for something, such as food or a toy, teach him two things that will make your life easier.

First, the dog must understand that his serenades or loud barking do not work (even if it was the other way around before). He must understand that he will get what he wants much faster if he behaves quietly.

When a dog realizes that howling makes him invisible to his owner, and in a calm state he receives your attention and everything he wants, then he quickly learns to restrain his vocal impulses.

Ignore loud, unwanted behavior

Try to avoid random incentive meetings with the watchdog when he demonstrates a loud voice. Ignore her any noise. Don't look at him, don't touch him, don't talk to him. Don't scold the dog. They, like children, often require attention, even if it is negative. Punishing your dog will only make the problem behavior worse. Just imagine that your dog has become invisible. If it is difficult to ignore, simply cross your arms over your chest and move into another room.

Praise your dog for being calm and quiet

It is very easy to completely forget about your furry friend when he is silent. Often we pay attention to our students only when they do something wrong. If you want your dog to stop barking for attention, you need to reward him for calm behavior. From time to time, treat your pet with a treat and pay attention to him for his good peaceful behavior.

So, you should make a new rule and follow it: your pet will not get anything (treats, toys, walks, attention) until he is silent for at least five seconds. If your friend starts howling and barking so that you pay attention to him, ignore him! Follow the 5 second rule and only then give the reward to your pet.

You can also teach your dog to remain silent on command. First, learn the “Voice!” command so that the dog will bark or howl at your request (a doorbell is usually an excellent provocateur). Praise her when she shows her voice, but don't give her a treat or toy! Then give the command “Quiet!” or “Shh!” At this point your pet will stop barking for a second or two, quickly say “Okay, good girl!” and give the most delicious treat. Repeat this trick over and over again, gradually increasing the time of silence before praising. First, the animal will receive a treat during a second of silence. Once she has mastered this step, increase the time to three seconds. Next, having completed this task, go to 5 seconds, then ten, twenty, and so on.

Ask for help

Since the problem of voice manifestation can be quite difficult to resolve, do not hesitate to seek professional help. Many dog trainers and animal behavior specialists conduct private lessons.

Spend time with your pet

Sometimes our friends speak up because they are bored and lonely, especially if they are left alone for many hours. Dogs, like people, are very social creatures. They need constant communication with members of their pack. If your dog howls frequently when left alone, you need to spend more time together. Play games, go for walks in different places. Sign up for training courses and at the same time correct your behavior. When you need to leave your dog alone for an extended period of time, make sure you leave enough toys and activities for him to keep him occupied while you're away.

Do dogs have otherworldly powers?

Previously, they really believed in this, so it was preferable to have animals with light fur. Black dogs were considered assistants to sorcerers and witches. In addition, all the signs described earlier indicate that people believed that dogs really had unusual abilities.

However, this is nothing more than mere exaggeration and superstition. Dogs have well-developed hearing, sense of smell and a kind of sense of smell. This is the only reason why they react to some things much faster than people. In addition, the dog can actually sense that some kind of disease is developing in the person.

Important! It is worth listening to your dog, but not taking numerous signs too seriously. Reasonable caution, a little more attention to your pet - this is what can really help.

Dog howling is a natural phenomenon and is unlikely to be associated with otherworldly forces or omens. You just have to be attentive and caring towards your dog. In addition, do not forget that some breeds do not tolerate loneliness and separation from their beloved owner very well. It's worth spending more time on them.