My dog is typically quite quiet. He occasionally barks when he sees another animal on the TV, but that’s about it. Except, that is, on a night when there is a full moon. On those nights, he reveals his inner wolf and will howl and howl. Howling is a way for dogs to communicate quickly and easily and the reasons for this can be varied. We explore why dogs howl and what can be done if the howling is causing problems.
Why dogs howl at night
I was particularly interested in this phenomenon because a) I didn’t know what was going on with my dog and b) it meant me getting up in the middle of the night. It appears that a dog howling at night is fairly common for a variety of reasons. Dogs hear better at night because there is less disruptive noise from cars and people allowing sounds to travel further. It may be that they can hear a neighbor’s dog barking and they are just trying to communicate a response. Or, the moon may have brought out some other nocturnal animals, which your dog can sense and he is alerting you to their presence. Additionally, it can be that the bright light at what is normally a dark time is puzzling to your pup. In our house it was the latter and simply making sure that the blinds were completely closed where our dog sleeps was a way to stop the howling.
Why dogs howl in the car
In some households, a dog’s howling only starts when he gets in the car. This could be your dog’s way of saying he is uncomfortable and anxious. A good solution is to give him a secure position in the vehicle that he knows is his special place. Installing a pet barrier and trunk divider with a comfortable cargo mat or additional cushion can give that cosy nest feel. Get your dog used to being in the car. Coax him to jump in voluntarily and reward with lots of positive attention or even a treat when he does. At first you don’t need to go on a drive. Just make sure that he is very familiar with the car. Once you’ve succeeded with this, start going on very short trips. Even a 10-minute journey can help your dog get familiar with the car experience. Short, but frequent journeys can reassure a dog that being in the car is nothing to be anxious about. This is especially true if the destination is somewhere he will enjoy such as the dog park. If none of the above suggestions work, it may be helpful to talk to your veterinarian about other options. Your vet may prescribe a sedative or medication appropriate for your particular dog’s needs and in line with your dog’s medical history.
Why dogs howl in the home
Dogs are very sociable creatures, so some start to howl when they are left on their own at home due to separation anxiety. This is likely to be a particular issue for puppies acquired during the pandemic who have only known life with everybody at home, but will also prove difficult for older dogs who have got used to having extra attention. Read more here to see how you can help your pup deal with the transition.
Information given in this article is not a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional. Please consult a veterinarian for advice specific to your dog.
