subject: Reasons Why Dogs Howl [print this page] The haunting and eerie howling of the dog would keep fearful people awake all night. It will be noticed that dogs have the tendency to do what other dogs are doing. The barking of one dog will entice other dogs to bark too. One dog will howl and all the other dogs in the neighborhood will howl as well so that it would seem as if you are in the middle of a horror movie scene. The howling of the dog is associated with many eerie superstitious beliefs. These folk tales have no scientific basis but it is understandable for a person to be nervous if the howling of the dog is heard especially on a silent and rainy moonless night.
Howling is a behavior that was inherited by modern day dogs from the wolves. These primitive dogs use howling as a form of communication. The wilderness is a vast area and barking may be ineffectual in calling the attention of other wolves. Wolves that were separated from the pack can communicate with other wolves by howling. Dog owners would always want to have the pet around thus, modern day dogs don't need to howl as there will be no need to find the pack members. Pet dogs though are still heard howling.
Howling is one form of communication that was learned by the modern day dogs from their wolf ancestors. However, it was noted that dogs allowed to live inside the home with the family and dogs that are lavished with love and attention seldom howl. On the other hand, outside dogs that are often left alone for the major part of the day would howl to get the family's attention. Dogs are social animals and as such pets that are left alone all day or pets that are not given opportunities to interact with the family will howl because of separation anxiety.
The passing of ambulance and fire trucks can make the dog howl. Howling is associated with an ominous happening but it is believed to be the dog's response to a sound that was interpreted as another howl. The howl of a lone wolf will be answered with the howl of other wolves. Mistaking the ambulance sound as a howl, the dog will also let out a howl as a response.
A dog wanting to get the attention of the family will howl. The howling of the dog can be caused by a medical concern. The discomfort and the pain that overwhelms the pet can be the reason why it is howling. Are you one the kind of owner that would shout to stop the pet's howling or would you be a concerned owner and see what is wrong with the pet?
