Introduction
This article explores the reasons why dogs howl and whether it is cruel or harmful to try to make your dog howl for amusement. We’ll examine typical motivations dog owners have for getting their pets to howl, potential negative impacts like stress or discomfort, appropriate techniques to elicit natural howls, and inappropriate ways to force howling that should be avoided. Expert opinions on this controversial practice are provided to help readers make informed decisions about interacting with dogs in this manner. The goal is to comprehensively cover this topic and provide dog owners guidance on eliciting howls in a safe, positive way.
Why Dogs Howl
Dogs howl for a few key reasons related to communication, loneliness, and seeking attention. According to the AKC, dogs often howl to communicate across long distances, reconnect with their pack, or request help or company [1]. Howling allows dogs to reach farther than a bark and connect with other canines. Lonely and anxious dogs in particular tend to howl as a request for companionship or assistance with their situation [1]. The ASPCA notes that howling is a natural dog behavior used to attract attention from other dogs or people [2]. So when dogs howl, it often signals a desire for connection or response.
Owner Motivations
Some owners intentionally try to get their dogs to howl out of amusement, as a bonding activity, or out of curiosity about their dog’s vocal abilities. According to the AKC, some dogs quickly learn that howling is a great way to demand their owner’s attention. Owners may find their dog’s vocalizations entertaining or enjoy howling together as a shared activity. However, the AKC warns owners to avoid rewarding unnecessary howling with attention, since even negative attention can reinforce the behavior. Though owners’ intentions are usually lighthearted, it’s important to be mindful of the potential harms.
Potential Harms
While some howling can be normal, forcing dogs to howl excessively can potentially cause harm. One potential risk is increased stress and anxiety. Dogs have acute hearing, so creating loud noises can quickly become overwhelming and distressing. Excessive howling could overstimulate a dog and cause confusion if they don’t understand why they are being encouraged to vocalize.
According to veterinarian Dr. Jerry Klein, dogs do not always enjoy howling, and “attempts by humans to get their dogs to howl can actually cause anxiety.”1 Dr. Klein recommends being attentive to signs of distress like ears flat back, pupils dilated, panting, and yawning.
Howling when a dog wants to sleep or rest could also be frustrating and disrupt their routine. Owners should aim to respect their dog’s natural instincts and give them space when appropriate.
Appropriate Techniques
There are humane, positive ways to teach your dog to howl that take advantage of their natural instincts. One appropriate technique is to mimic triggers that would cause them to howl in the wild, like making howling noises yourself. Start with a high-pitched howl and see if your dog responds with their own howl. You can also use musical instruments like a harmonica to imitate a howling sound. Pairing the howling sounds with a command like “Sing” and using positive reinforcement with treats when your dog howls can help teach the behavior.
The key is working within your dog’s natural instincts in a positive way, without causing them distress. Have patience, keep training sessions short and fun, and your dog may pick up howling on their own terms.
Inappropriate Techniques
Some dog owners unfortunately use inappropriate, cruel methods to try to force their dogs to howl. These methods should always be avoided, as they can cause distress and long-term harm.
Harassing or intimidating dogs in order to make them howl is never acceptable. Tactics like yelling, poking, startling, or scaring dogs are forms of abuse that indicate a lack of understanding of canine psychology and proper training methods. As the experts at Notabully.org state, “Dogs do not respond well to negative reinforcement or punishment” (source). Forcing fearful reactions is always unacceptable.
Similarly, punishing a dog when they do not howl on command should never be done. Punishment, whether physical or verbal, erodes trust between dog and owner. As positive reinforcement experts, punishment should always be avoided. With patience and positive encouragement, a dog can be gently encouraged to howl without any need for punishment.
Finally, neglecting a dog’s needs in order to try to induce howling is also inappropriate. Things like leaving a dog alone for extended periods, denying food/water/attention, or creating other distress in hopes of hearing howls must never be done. These methods indicate improper priorities and a basic disregard for the dog’s welfare.
In summary, harassment, punishment, neglect and other cruel techniques should never be used to make a dog howl. There are always humane alternatives that create trust and meet a dog’s needs.
Signs of Distress
Howling can be a sign that a dog is in distress or experiencing anxiety. Some behaviors that may indicate a dog is uncomfortable or upset include:
Cowering: Dogs may cower with their tail tucked, ears back, and head lowered when frightened or anxious. This submissive body language suggests the dog is overwhelmed and trying to avoid confrontation.
Hiding: Dogs may hide under furniture or in a corner if something is causing them stress. Seeking isolation can be an attempt to retreat from the distressing stimulus.
Aggression: Stressed dogs may display defensive aggression like growling, snarling, or snapping. This happens when the dog feels threatened and is trying to protect itself. Howling from anxiety could escalate to reactive behavior.
Excessive howling paired with cowering, hiding, or aggression can indicate the dog is not just communicating, but is experiencing significant duress. Howling itself may not be problematic, but these associated behaviors suggest the dog’s welfare is at risk.
When to Avoid
Existing anxiety in dogs can worsen if owners intentionally trigger howling. According to ASPCA, some dogs howl due to separation anxiety, nervousness, or responding to loud noises. In these cases, causing additional stress through induced howling can exacerbate anxious behaviors. It’s best to avoid triggering howls in already anxious dogs.
Frequent and extended howling episodes can also lead to noise complaints from neighbors, especially in shared housing. Loud howling late at night or early morning hours may violate noise ordinances. Owners should be considerate of neighbors when working on howling behaviors with their dog.
Expert Opinions
Many experts advise against intentionally eliciting howling from dogs without good reason. According to the ASPCA, “Howling directed at you is usually a request for your attention or a response.” While occasional howling is normal dog behavior, the ASPCA suggests redirecting your dog’s attention or refraining from rewarding the vocalization if it becomes excessive or disruptive [1].
The AKC states that “dogs howl to attract attention, to make contact with others and to announce their presence” [2]. While howling can be a normal form of canine communication, the AKC advises against encouraging frequent howling unless it serves a specific purpose like signaling the end of a hunt. Excessive howling can indicate distress or a need for behavioral intervention.
Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Harris warns that attempts to evoke howling can be perceived as harassment by dogs and may undermine the human-animal bond: “Forcing dogs to howl…can erode trust and damage the relationship between pets and their owners” [3]. She recommends only eliciting howling during appropriate training contexts and stopping immediately if signs of distress appear.
Conclusion
In summary, dogs naturally howl for various reasons, but owners should avoid intentionally eliciting distress howls solely for their own amusement. While many dogs enjoy howling when prompted in a playful manner, forcing howling through intimidation or by causing anxiety is unethical. Owners should aim to build strong bonds with their dogs through positive reinforcement training and appropriate activities.
Dog owners should carefully observe their pet’s body language and signs of distress when interacting with them. If a dog exhibits anxious behaviors like cowering, hiding, or panting, immediately cease any actions that may be frightening them. Additionally, never punish or scold a dog for howling, as this can damage the human-canine bond.
With a compassionate, attentive approach, owners can enjoy rewarding relationships with their dogs built on trust and mutual understanding. Avoid exploiting natural canine behaviors for entertainment at the expense of your pet’s welfare.