What makes a pet dog howl
The haunting and eerie howling of the dog would keep fearful people awake all night. Dogs have the inclination to play follow the leader. 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. Dogs are often featured in horror movies as the howling is commonly associated with sinister happenings. 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 of modern day dog's ancestors, the wolves. These primitive dogs use howling as a form of communication. Instead of barking, dogs howl to call the attention of other pack members because howling has a better chance of being heard in the vast wilderness. Howling therefore, is the method of communication used by wolves whenever separated from the pack. Pet dogs consider the human family as their pack and as these dogs are seldom separated from their pack, the need to howl is somehow eliminated. Pet dogs though are still heard howling.
Modern day dogs have descended from wolves and howling is believed to be a carry-over trait. Studies have noted that dogs living inside the house with the family and dogs that are receiving sufficient care and attentions from the loving owners are seldom heard howling. Experts believe that howling is one way of getting the human family's attention as the mournful sound is more commonly heard from dogs left alone all day. Being social animals the dog would always need interaction with the family and the howling is an indication that the dog is suffering from separation anxiety.
Dogs will be heard howling at passing ambulance and fire trucks. The sound of the ambulance or fire truck can be viewed by the dog as the howl of another dog thus it would howl its response. The howl of a wolf separated from the pack will be answered by other wolves. Mistaking the ambulance sound as a howl, the dog will also let out a howl as a response.
A dog that is not provided with food, water and comfortable shelter may howl to get the attention of the owners. The howling of the dog can be caused by a medical concern. The owner may be annoyed by the dog's howling but in this case, the pet is howling because of pain. Would you disregard the howling of the pet or would you take time to know the reason why the dog is howling?
Howling is a behavior of modern day dog's ancestors, the wolves. These primitive dogs use howling as a form of communication. Instead of barking, dogs howl to call the attention of other pack members because howling has a better chance of being heard in the vast wilderness. Howling therefore, is the method of communication used by wolves whenever separated from the pack. Pet dogs consider the human family as their pack and as these dogs are seldom separated from their pack, the need to howl is somehow eliminated. Pet dogs though are still heard howling.
Modern day dogs have descended from wolves and howling is believed to be a carry-over trait. Studies have noted that dogs living inside the house with the family and dogs that are receiving sufficient care and attentions from the loving owners are seldom heard howling. Experts believe that howling is one way of getting the human family's attention as the mournful sound is more commonly heard from dogs left alone all day. Being social animals the dog would always need interaction with the family and the howling is an indication that the dog is suffering from separation anxiety.
Dogs will be heard howling at passing ambulance and fire trucks. The sound of the ambulance or fire truck can be viewed by the dog as the howl of another dog thus it would howl its response. The howl of a wolf separated from the pack will be answered by other wolves. Mistaking the ambulance sound as a howl, the dog will also let out a howl as a response.
A dog that is not provided with food, water and comfortable shelter may howl to get the attention of the owners. The howling of the dog can be caused by a medical concern. The owner may be annoyed by the dog's howling but in this case, the pet is howling because of pain. Would you disregard the howling of the pet or would you take time to know the reason why the dog is howling?
About the Author:
Find out more about why dogs howl as well as information on dog first aid at Sarah's Dogs.
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