How to Stop Your Dog from Howling: The Ultimate Guide

From time to time, you get reminded that your dog is a cousin to wolves because their howls are similar. This howl is enough to disturb you and, maybe, your neighbours too. Now, you’ve been wondering how to stop your dog from howling, reminiscing about the days when your dog was still a whiny little pup.

Before you reach for earplugs, it helps to understand what’s really going on. Your dog isn’t being dramatic; there’s usually a reason behind the noise, and it might be easier to fix than you think.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the reasons behind your dog’s howling. You’ll also find pointers that teach you how to stop your dog from howling using easy tricks.

Why Your Dog is Howling

While sometimes, it might feel like your dog howls to annoy you, that’s not always the case. That noise is their way of trying to tell you something important, just like their whimpers or when they whine.  One of the most common reasons your dog howls must have crossed your mind at some point, but we’ll help you tell them apart.

For starters, your dog might love your attention so much that they’ll do anything to get it, including howling. An intelligent dog easily learns that a good howl gets your attention. However, they’ll do it repeatedly if you come running every time they start their theatrics. To stop your dog from howling for attention, you’ll need to teach them that being quiet gets better results.

Another reason you might wonder how to stop your dog from howling is loneliness. You go out for an errand, return to a howling dog, and wonder what happened in your absence. Well, it’s your absence itself. When you leave your dog by themselves for too long, they might start howling.

Other times, it might just be your dog trying to blend into the chaotic ambience of their environment. Who wants to miss out on a good karaoke show? Well, not your dog! Other dogs howling nearby or certain high-pitched sounds, like sirens or doorbells, can trigger your dog to sing along with howls.

Finally, let’s confirm your fears. Yes, sometimes, as you often suspect, your dog howls to tell you they suffer from poor health. If the howling starts suddenly or sounds different from usual, it could be a sign that something’s wrong. Older dogs, especially, might howl more if they’re feeling unwell, so this is where you call in your vet to help you stop your dog from howling.

Practical Tips on How to Stop Your Dog from Howling

Here are handy tips to stop your dog from howling:

1. Ignore Your Dog When They Howl for Attention

The trick to stop your dog from howling when they do it for your attention is simple. When you are sure your dog is fit, you only need to resist the urge to react. Instead, completely ignore them. You can turn away, leave the room, or busy yourself with other activities. You teach them that howling doesn’t get results when you do this.

However, the redefining moment is when you successfully stop your dog from howling. Immediately they stop, reward them with a small treat and calm praise. The timing here is equally crucial. To enable your dog to connect their silence with good attention, give them this reward within 3 seconds of them going silent.

However, rewarding your dog for silence is less critical than staying consistent with this approach. If other household members respond to the howling, it slows down your progress. Your dog may howl more intensely at first when ignored, but staying resolute will help you stop it. Stick with it, and within a few weeks, you should notice improvement.

For persistent cases, you can combine this approach with basic obedience training. Teaching a “quiet” command gives you another tool to stop your dog from howling. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that patience and consistency are key to successfully stopping your dog’s attention-seeking howls.

2. Train Your Dog to Feel Safe When You’re Away

To stop your dog from howling in your absence, you need to help your dog feel secure when you’re away. Start by making departures low-key. Avoid emotional goodbyes that might trigger anxiety. Instead, leave them with a special toy stuffed with treats to keep them occupied. Puzzle feeders or long-lasting chews work wonders to distract them from your absence.

So, to help your dog adapt to your absence, begin training them with very short absences. Step outside for just a minute, then return calmly. Gradually increase the time you’re away over several days. This is a great way to stop your dog from howling, as they learn, over time,  that you will always come back to them.

Similarly, you can stop your dog from howling by creating a comfortable space with their bed and familiar smells that simulate proper company. You can play the radio or a children’s show on low volume to provide comforting background noise. These simple steps will help your dog relax, reducing the need to howl for company.

3. Train Your Dog to Stay Calm Around Noises

When you want to stop your dog from howling at noises, the trick is to help them normalise the random sounds that startle them. Start by playing recorded sounds of sirens or doorbells at very low volume while your dog is relaxed. Keep it quiet enough that they barely notice it. When they remain calm, immediately reward them with treats and praise. This builds positive associations with the noises.

Then, slowly increase the volume over several days or weeks, always watching for signs of stress. The trick to stop your dog from howling when they react to these recordings is to go back to a quieter level and progress more gradually. Pairing the sounds with enjoyable activities like mealtimes or play sessions will also help to reinforce positive feelings.

It’ll also help to practice in different rooms and at varying times of day. The goal is to stop your dog from howling by teaching them that these everyday noises aren’t threatening. With patience and consistency, most dogs will eventually learn to ignore sound triggers that previously made them howl.

4. Take Your Dog to the Vet if They Howl Unusually

If your dog’s howling habits change suddenly or sound different from usual, it’s worth scheduling a vet visit. Uncharacteristic howling can sometimes indicate health issues like pain, hearing problems, or cognitive changes in older dogs. So, the wisdom is not to stop your dog from howling. Instead, you should try to diagnose and treat the underlying health issues.

When your dog’s howling habits change, look for other warning signs like loss of appetite, lethargy, or changes in behaviour accompanying the howling. Dogs may vocalise more when they’re uncomfortable or confused. Seniors, in particular, might howl due to canine dementia, which a vet can help manage.

Even when you’re not sure the health issue is severe, a check-up can rule out medical causes. Your vet can also suggest behaviour modification techniques if the howling isn’t health-related, as you feared, to help you stop your dog from howling regardless. It’s always better to be safe than to take risks when your pet’s communication patterns change unexpectedly.

Conclusion

Howling is natural dog behaviour, but with patience and the right approach, you can reduce excessive noise or even stop your dog from howling. You need to tailor how you respond based on the circumstances surrounding the howling. Also, remember that every dog learns at their own pace, so be consistent. Stick with these methods; those dramatic solos will soon become rare performances rather than daily occurrences!