Why Do Dogs Howl? Is This Normal?

Dog howling is a form of canine communication.  

Dogs may howl:  

• To express an emotion, good or bad 
• To get attention 
• To respond to certain noises, like other dogs’ howls or those that sound similar, such as a siren 
• Because of separation anxiety 
• To mimic—for example, if someone is singing, your dog might howl 
• In response to an underlying health issue  

“Each dog will have its own reason for howling—and, yes, they can be happy or sad when they howl,” says Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP.  

You’ve probably seen the viral videos of Huskies or Beagles dramatically howling. While those breeds might be more predisposed to howling, other breeds are capable of it too. 

“Some Northern, primitive, and hound breeds are more likely to make this unique noise,” says Chelsea Murray, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, CTDI, trainer and owner of Pawsitive Futures Training & Behavior in Atlanta.​​  

There’s really no one way that howls sound, though they might resemble a long wail.  

“Some dogs howl louder or longer than other dogs, and the sound of the howl may be different, depending on the message the dog is wanting to convey,” Dr. Mitchell says. 

If the dog is trying to mimic certain sounds, such as another dog howling or someone singing, that can result in different howl sounds too.  

While we know that howling dogs could be trying to communicate with humans, it’s unclear if—or why—they howl to communicate with other dogs.  

“Wolves howl, we think, for communication between pack members, especially individuals that have been separated from the pack,” says Wailani Sung, DVM, DACVB, director of behavior and welfare programs at the San Francisco SPCA.  

“Dogs do not have the same pack structure as wolves,” she notes. “However, some dogs may howl at neighbor dogs, but we don’t necessarily know the function of that howling.” 

Dogs may howl when they are sad.  

But how do we know if the howling is due to sadness or another emotion, like joy?  

Murray suggests that your dog’s howl might not be a happy one if paired with these stress symbols:  

• Drooling 
• Lack of appetite 
• Destructive behavior, such as chewing, scratching, or digging 

If your pup howls when you’re singing at the top of your lungs in the shower, they’re probably just joining in on the fun. However, howling can also be caused by:  

• Stress 
• Pain 
• An underlying medical issue 
• Separation anxiety 
• Canine cognitive dysfunction  

If your dog is howling and engaging in destructive behavior or exhibiting any signs of stress or a medical problem, call your veterinarian. 

After a trip to the vet to rule out a medical issue, you’ll want to focus on rewards-based training to help your dog feel calmer.  

• Reward your dog with toys or treats when they are quiet.  

• Turn howling into a dog trick, so that your dog only offers this behavior on cue. Here’s how.  
• Increase your dog’s physical activity by taking them on a long walk, going on a hike, or playing fetch in the backyard. A well-exercised dog is likely to be more relaxed. 

• Provide more mental enrichment with slow feeders, puzzle toys, lick mats, or other fun toys. Bored and attention-seeking howlers can especially benefit from keeping their brains busy. 

Yes and no. Howling because of joy or excitement can be good for dogs, but it may also be a sign of stress, negative emotions, attention-seeking, or medical problems.  

It depends. If your dog just howls every now and then and seems happy and healthy, no response is needed. However, you should talk to your dog’s vet if the howling is associated with symptoms of illness or other behavioral problems. 

Dog howling is a form of communication. They might howl at certain noises, like a siren, because it sounds similar to another dog’s howl, or they might be trying to express that they’re dissatisfied with the noise.