The sound of a howling dog piercing the silence of the night can send shivers down your spine. Though often associated with wolves, dogs are also prone to howling, especially certain breeds. You may have woken up to the eerie wails of your own dog howling in its sleep. This phenomenon has likely puzzled many dog owners who wonder what prompts these vocalizations.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind why dogs howl in their sleep. We’ll look at the instinctive roots of this behavior as well as what science tells us about the link between howling and dreaming in canines. You’ll also learn some tips on minimizing sleep howling if it becomes excessive. Let’s take a closer look at this peculiar nighttime serenade.
Do All Dogs Howl in Their Sleep?
While many dogs instinctively know how to howl from a young age, not all dogs inherently howl in their sleep. Howling is a natural form of canine communication that originates from wolves and is passed down genetically in dogs (Modern Vet). However, some breeds are more prone to howling than others based on their ancestry and instinctual traits. Herding breeds like huskies, beagles, basset hounds and coonhounds often retain stronger howling instincts. In contrast, breeds like pugs, shih tzus and bulldogs rarely howl since they were not bred to do so. Ultimately, a dog’s tendency to howl depends on its specific breed traits and individual personality. While numerous dogs do howl in their sleep due to dreaming, it is not an instinctual behavior seen in all canines.
Breeds Prone to Howling
Certain breeds are more prone to howling than others. Breeds that tend to vocalize with howls include:
Beagles – Known for their musical baying, Beagles also frequently howl, especially when left alone. Their tendency to howl comes from their history as a hunting breed.
Huskies – As high energy sled dogs bred to work in packs, Siberian Huskies often howl to communicate with each other. They are extremely vocal dogs. [1]
Bloodhounds – Bloodhounds are scent hounds that were bred to track by letting their handlers know when they picked up a scent. This resulted in frequent, loud howling. Their distinctive howl can carry for miles.
Other breeds prone to howling include Alaskan Malamutes, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Bluetick Coonhounds, Coonhounds, Dachshunds, Foxhounds, and Samoyeds. In general, hunting and sled dog breeds tend to be more prone to howling behaviors. [2]
Why Do Dogs Howl in Their Sleep?
There are several possible reasons why dogs howl in their sleep:
Dreaming – Dogs have dreams just like humans do. Their howling could be in response to whatever they are dreaming about. The sounds are involuntary and not under the dog’s control.
Anxiety – Dogs may howl due to feelings of anxiety, loneliness, or insecurity. Howling can be a self-soothing behavior for stressed dogs. Changes in routine or environment can trigger anxious howling.
Responding to noises – Dogs have very sensitive hearing and may howl in their sleep in response to noises they hear. This could include other dog howls or loud noises in or near the home.
Medical reasons – Issues like cognitive dysfunction syndrome or neurological problems can cause disorientation and howling in senior dogs. Dogs with dementia may vocalize more in their sleep.
Attention-seeking – Some dogs learn that howling gets them attention from their owner. They may howl in their sleep to try to wake up their owner for playtime or petting.
The majority of dogs who howl in their sleep are completely normal. But excessive or sudden onset of howling, especially in older dogs, merits a trip to the veterinarian to check for underlying issues.
How to Stop Excessive Howling
If your dog is howling excessively at night or during naps, there are some things you can try to help reduce this behavior:
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation during the day. Dogs that are bored or have pent up energy may howl more at night. Take your dog for long walks, play fetch, or try dog sports like agility to tire them out (ModernVet).
Use calming techniques before bedtime like massage, classical music, or anxiety wraps. These can help relax your dog and make them less likely to howl (K9Basics).
Block outside noises that may trigger howling by closing windows, using white noise machines, or playing ambient music. Eliminating stimuli can prevent reactive howling.
Reinforce quiet behavior with positive reinforcement training. Use treats and praise to reward your dog when they are calm and silent.
Avoid yelling or punishing your dog for howling, as this can increase their anxiety. It’s better to redirect them into another activity.
Make sure your dog is comfortable when sleeping. Provide a soft dog bed in a quiet location away from drafts.
When to See a Vet
While some howling is normal, excessive howling can sometimes indicate underlying medical issues. Howling accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or excessive panting warrants a trip to the veterinarian.
Some health conditions that may lead to increased vocalizations like howling include:
- Cognitive dysfunction – Similar to dementia in elderly humans, cognitive dysfunction can cause disorientation and anxiety in senior dogs.
- Pain – Dogs may howl excessively due to pain from injuries, arthritis, dental problems, or other conditions.
- Separation anxiety – Dogs with separation anxiety may howl and cry when left alone.
- Compulsive disorder – Obsessive howling may indicate a compulsive disorder.
- Loss of hearing – Deafness in older dogs can trigger increased howling as their sleep is disturbed.
If your dog suddenly starts howling excessively, it’s best to schedule a veterinary exam to identify or rule out any medical factors. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may include pain medication, supplements, behavior therapy, or other interventions. Addressing the root problem will not only improve your dog’s quality of life but should reduce the excessive vocalization as well.
Howling vs Other Vocalizations
Howling is just one of the many vocalizations dogs make to communicate. It’s important to understand the differences between howling and other common dog sounds.
Barking is one of the most common dog vocalizations. Barks can mean different things depending on their tone, but often are meant to alert their owner to something or express a need. For example, some dogs may bark when left alone as a cry for attention. Howling is more expressive of a dog’s natural instinct to communicate with other canines over long distances.
Whining or whimpering is a different vocalization that dogs make to express anxiety, fear, injury or a need for something like food or attention. It often sounds high-pitched and pitiful. Howling can sometimes sound similar, but tends to be longer and more melodic.
Growling is a lower pitch vocalization that dogs use to signal dominance or feeling threatened. The growl serves as a warning prior to snapping or biting in aggression. Howling does not communicate aggression like growling.
In summary, howling should not be confused with other common dog vocalizations like barking, whining or growling. While howling can sometimes sound similar to whining, the reason and context behind it is very different.
Sources:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/dog-sounds-meaning/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/canine-communication-deciphering-different-dog-sounds/
Fun Facts About Dog Howling
Dogs howl for a variety of reasons, and this unique vocalization has some fascinating facts behind it. Here are some interesting trivia tidbits about why dogs howl:
Wolves howl to communicate with their pack members over long distances, and dogs have retained this primitive form of communication from their wolf ancestors (https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/why-do-dogs-howl). Howling helps facilitate bonding within packs.
Some dogs howl in response to high-pitched sounds like sirens, music, or other dogs howling. The sound triggers their natural instinct to howl (VCA Animal Hospitals).
Howling releases endorphins and other feel-good hormones in dogs. The act of howling can be self-soothing or stress relieving for dogs.
Certain dog breeds like Huskies, Beagles, and Basset Hounds are more prone to frequent howling. Their howl is an inherited trait from ancient hunting and working dog breeds.
Most howling by domesticated dogs is aimed at communicating with their human owners rather than other dogs.
Some dogs howl along to music due to listening to high-pitched sounds. Studies show dogs have a sense of pitch and an appreciation for music.
Howling is not always an indicator of distress in dogs, despite the mournful sound. Howling can express excitement, loneliness, join in social unity, or simply be for enjoyment.
The Guinness World Record for the longest single howling session by a dog is 3 hours and 43 minutes, set by a Beagle named Ginger in January 2022.
Famous Howling Dogs
Some of the most legendary and beloved dogs in history have been known for their signature howl. One of the most famous is Hachiko, the Akita Inu who waited faithfully each day outside Shibuya Station in Tokyo for his owner to return from work. Hachiko continued this daily vigil for 10 years after his owner’s death, becoming a symbol of loyalty and devotion in Japan and around the world. His story was depicted in the 2009 film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, which featured Hachiko’s iconic and mournful howl as he waited patiently.
Other famous howling dogs include Buck, the St. Bernard-Scotch Collie mix featured in Jack London’s The Call of the Wild. Buck’s ancestral call of the wild and his instinctual howl helped make him an unforgettable literary figure. Toto from The Wizard of Oz also delighted fans with his occasional howl, despite being a Cairn Terrier mix that isn’t a typical howling breed. Even pop culture pups like Snoopy are known to throw their heads back in a melodic howl every now and then. From loyal companions to fictional canine celebrities, the howl remains a signature trait of some of history’s most iconic dogs.
Conclusion
In summary, while many dogs instinctually know how to howl, not all dogs inherently have this ability. Howling is an innate vocalization for breeds like Beagles, Bloodhounds, and Siberian Huskies. However, other breeds like Shih Tzus and pugs are less prone to howling, especially while sleeping.
Howling in dogs’ sleep can be triggered by dreams, noises, or separation anxiety. It’s a normal behavior for some dogs, but excessive howling can indicate an underlying issue. Consulting with your vet is recommended if the howling seems abnormal or excessive for your dog.
The key takeaway is that howling is common for some breeds and rare in others. Not all dogs will howl in their sleep, as it depends on factors like breed tendencies, age, environment, and health status. With proper training and care, howling can be minimized when it becomes problematic.
