Why does my dog howl when I cry?

How to cope with a rescue dog howling at night

You’ve just rescued a dog – congratulations! It can be very enjoyable and rewarding but it’s not uncommon to have teething problems when first introducing your new pet to your home. Howling, or excessive vocalisation, is something that many owners encounter, which may be disruptive to both you and your neighbours. However, many have been able to successfully overcome it, and here’s how you can too.

Why do dogs howl?
Why is my dog howling at night?
How can I help my dog settle?
Can I get rid of this behaviour?
If you need more help, please seek a professional
In conclusion
You might also be interested in:

Why do dogs howl?

Howling is a natural canine behaviour and a form of communication. In general, there are many reasons why dogs do it. It can mean anything from a greeting, response to noise (particularly loud or high-pitched noises), or a sign of distress which may be both physical or emotional.

Why is my dog howling at night?

As mentioned, howling can be a sign of distress and anxiety. It is understandable that if you have just introduced your dog into your home that they may be experiencing this.

Separation anxiety can also be quite common in rescue dogs. This means that a dog struggles to be left alone, or separated from their owners – especially if you want your dog to sleep in a separate room to where you do. Your dog may also exhibit behaviours like pacing, trembling, being destructive, and toileting indoors.

Your dog might also howl if they want attention! They might be confused as to why you’ve left them alone to go to bed, or have previously learned that making lots of noise will mean they get a fuss made of them.

How can I help my dog settle?

If the howling is anxiety based, it can be great to make a few adjustments to make your dog feel more at home. Pheromone plug-ins can be a great way of helping dogs feel less anxious (these release Dog Appeasing Pheromone which are meant to have a calming effect). Make your dog a cosy bed or crate, where they will feel safe. It’s also good to establish a good routine around bedtime.

Dogs are social creatures, so make sure your dog has had plenty of interaction and stimulation throughout the day. Play with them and make sure they’ve had enough exercise.

Can I get rid of this behaviour?

With time, the majority of dogs can be trained to settle overnight. If you respond to your dog when they howl, it’s likely that they will learn that this behaviour will always get a response. It is really important not to punish your dog for howling – this is still a response to their behaviour. Instead, reward your dog for being quiet. The length of time you reward them for being quiet for is likely to start shorter, but over time you will be able to build this up.

If you need more help, please seek a professional

Sometimes, separation anxiety is a deep-rooted problem and you may need further assistance in dealing with your dog’s howling. It may be worth paying a visit to your veterinary practice to help rule out any underlying conditions.

You could also consider employing the help of an animal behaviourist if you need extra expertise. The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors have lots of information on how to find a behaviourist who can help you to change your dog’s response to distressing situations. (https://www.apbc.org.uk/).

Do not be afraid to go to a professional, it is their job to help you!

In conclusion

While howling is an unwanted behaviour, it is often a way of your dog signalling to you that they are unhappy – now you can take steps to change this. Remember that things won’t change overnight but the result will be rewarding for all.

1. Stress

The number one reason dogs whine is because of stress. Suppose you’re in a training class and suddenly Buddy begins pacing, cowering, licking his lips or panting, drops his tail and quits responding to your cues. Then the whining starts. He’s telling you that he’s under too much stress and you need to change your training place or method. He’s reached his stress threshold.

2. Appeasement

When you’re out walking your furbaby and you come upon someone who is walking their furbaby, what does your dog do? If he’s whining and folding his ears back, tucking his tail in, rolling over on his back, crouching, and refuses to make eye contact, he lacks confidence. His whine is telling you that he does not feel safe, and he’s looking to you for assurance. If your efforts at socializing him fail, you may need to get professional help from a trainer to get him beyond his fear.

3. Separation anxiety

4. Pain

Interestingly enough, dogs with chronic pain rarely whine or cry because of it. However, acute pain, such as the sharp pain that accompanies rising for an arthritic dog, can certainly cause him to voice his discomfort. If your dog doesn’t have a condition that causes pain, yet he is whining, a trip to the vet is the best way to find out what’s going on.

5. Attention

Every dog lover who ever raised a puppy knows that when you first leave a puppy alone, he will cry. A natural part of learning to be a pet (perhaps the only one in his household) instead of part of a litter, puppies quickly learn that crying will bring attention. Older dogs learn this trick, too, crying for attention whenever they feel ignored.

6. Age-related dementia

As our dogs age, like humans, they sometimes develop cognitive problems. Confusion is very stressful to a dog, and often they will cry when they feel lost or afraid. Disorientation and dementia causes anxiety, which produces crying, whining, or even howling. See your vet for medications that can help.

7. Excitement

If your Labrador Retriever comes unglued, whining and barking when someone new comes in the door, he is probably also wiggling from his nose to the tip of his tail, which is wagging as though it will fall off. His communication is “I can’t control myself!” He needs some help to learn more moderate ways of greeting strange dogs or people. Training him to go to his mat when the doorbell rings will help him be calmer.

8. An invitation

In the wild, dogs howl to organize their pack. Howling helps the scouts locate the rest of the pack and return to them. In domestic dogs, howling may serve a similar purpose. If you’ve been gone all day, his howling hopes to bring you back home.

9. Setting boundaries

Sometimes, dogs howl to set up boundaries. Letting potential predators or even just trespassers know they have entered a dog’s territory is cause for a good, long howl. Many dogs bark when someone comes to the door or drives up in the driveway, but others howl for the same reason. It’s a form of communication that warns trespassers away.

10. Discovery

Especially with hunting breeds, dogs may howl to alert you to the fact that they have found something. For most hunting dogs, this is instinctual, but it can also be trained into them. Bloodhounds “sound” (howl) when they have picked up a track that they are trying to follow.

11. Trigger responses

It seems that dogs love to howl in response to certain triggers. Sirens, certain music, even someone singing can start a pup howling, looking for all the world like he wants to simply join in. Science hasn’t been able to account for why dogs will howl from certain triggers. Perhaps they just want to contribute to the celebration!

12. Speaking words?

Some people are convinced that their dog’s vocalizations are attempts to speak words. In fact, when sounds are selectively reinforced, they can seem to replicate human speech. It does, indeed, sound like they are saying words. It is unlikely that your furbaby knows what it means when he says “I love you,” but people encourage it nonetheless.

We’re learning more all the time about the way dogs think. Maybe, in time, we’ll be able to truly understand what it is our furbuddies are trying to say through their howls, whines, and cries.

The World Through The Eyes of a Dog

10 Ways to Calm Your Dog Down During Fireworks

The Top 5 Most Common Dog Behaviour Problems

If you’re noticing problems with your pup, it’s helpful to know that many behavioural issues are common. And luckily, most can be solved at home with some dedicated training. Read on for the top five dog behaviour problems and their solutions.

Exercise Improves Dog Behaviour

Did you know that regular exercise improves your dog’s behavior? Exercise is tied to a host of changes in physical and mental health , which is true for both easy exercise and more complex training . So, what kind of benefits can come from giving your pooch the exercise they need?

Why Do Dogs Sniff Everything?

Want to know why your dog is always sniffing around? Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and that’s how they understand the world. While we humans use our eyes to see the world, dogs use their noses to distinguish things around them. With an extremely precise nose, dogs love to sniff around, to explore, and to enjoy all the stimulating scents in this world. Read along to understand more about your dog’s sniffing behavior!