If you’ve ever heard a dog howling at sirens and wondered why then you are not alone. I’ve had clients ask about this phenomenon in the past, and I’d like to share with you some of my observations and research on the topic of dogs howling at sirens.
So next time you hear your dog howling at sirens while they drive by, you can feel confident that they aren’t just bored or anxious. This article will teach you everything that you need to know about dogs howling at sirens!
What is Howling?
Howling is the act of making a prolonged, melodious vocalization. Some dogs howl to communicate with others in the pack, while other dogs howl when they hear sirens or loud noises. While the specific reason why dogs howl varies from dog to dog, it’s possible that some dogs may be communicating with one another when they do this.
Other theories suggest that howling is just a natural reaction to hearing certain sounds and may not have any meaning at all.
Why do dogs howl at sirens or when they hear other dogs howling?
It is commonly thought that dogs howl when they hear other dogs howling, but this is not the only reason. The sound of a siren, which mimics the sound of an animal in distress or being hurt, can also trigger howls from some dogs.
The question of why dogs howl has been something that people have been trying to answer for centuries. Scientists have studied the phenomenon and found out that some breeds are more prone to it than others. Welsh Corgis, Australian Shepherds, Fox Terriers and Border Collies have all been observed doing it at one time or another.
These breeds will sometimes respond with an excited bark as well as a howl. In addition to hearing other dogs’ barks, these breeds may be responding to what they think is another dog in trouble nearby.
However, the reasons behind their howling responses may not be due entirely to instinctual behaviour; many believe that genetics play a big part as well.
Are there any Health Reasons Why Your Dog Might be Howling?
One of the most common reasons dogs howl is because they are hurt or in pain. It’s a natural instinct for them to howl when they’re in distress, and it can also be a sign that they need medical attention. Painful symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, fever, or low energy levels.
If you notice any of these signs take your pet to the vet as soon as possible! If your dog has never howled before: There may be an underlying cause for this behaviour, so pay close attention to their other behaviours. As well as howling, some of these behaviours may include excessive panting or pacing.
There could also be outside factors that are making him uncomfortable such as too many people coming over or loud noises from construction work nearby.
What is Going on Inside a Dog’s Head When it Howls like that?
Dogs howl for many reasons. They can howl when they are scared or frightened, show their dominance over other dogs when they are in pain, and even just out of boredom. Dogs have a wide range of frequencies that they can hear and the frequency of most sirens is usually well within their hearing range.
When dogs hear the noise from a siren, it has been shown that it makes them feel uneasy or scared. In some cases, this triggers them to howl as a way of communicating their emotions with other nearby dogs. The sound causes them to feel uncomfortable and they react by making noise themselves to try and alleviate the feeling caused by the siren’s sound waves hitting them.
Ways to Keep Your Dog From Howling
Separate your dog from the source of the noise.
If you have a backyard, go outside with your dog and keep him there until the noise stops. If you have a front yard, take him to his favourite spot and stay there with him until it’s over. This can be difficult if the noise is coming from inside your house or apartment, but you’ll need to try as hard as possible to make sure that he doesn’t hear it while he’s trying to recover from it.
Distract your dog with something else.
Find an activity that will capture his attention for at least five minutes and do it together with him; this could be anything from playing fetch with a tennis ball to giving them their favourite treat or toy. It doesn’t matter what it is, so long as he has something else to focus on. You might even try putting on some music for both of you and dancing around like nobody’s watching (or better yet, sing along).
Keep a close eye on your dog after sirens go off in the area so that you know how they’re reacting and can help calm them down before they hurt themselves or others out of panic.
