How to stop your dog howling

If your dog’s howling habits are getting out of hand, you’re not alone. Many pet parents worry about how to manage it, especially if it’s disrupting sleep or concerning the neighbours.

This guide is here to help. We’ll cover why dogs howl, when howling is normal vs a sign of a problem, and practical steps you can take to stop a dog from howling and bring some calm back to your home. Whether you’re dealing with a puppy howling at bedtime or a dog that seems to howl all the time, there are lots of positive, kind techniques that often work.

In this article: 

1. Why do dogs howl?
2. Are dogs happy when they howl?
3. How to stop your dog howling
4. What age do puppies start howling?
5. How to calm a howling puppy
6. What if my dog or puppy won’t stop howling?
7. Conclusion

Why do dogs howl?

Ever wondered why dogs howl? Much like their wolf ancestors, dogs howl for a number of different reasons, but, essentially, howling is one of the main forms of communication for dogs.

From attracting attention to making their presence known, dogs use vocal communication to alert other dogs and humans. They are also known to do so in response to certain sounds, like high-pitched tones, musical instruments, or sirens.

‘Contagious howling’ can also be seen in dogs - for example, you may notice that your dog howls when you howl, or in response to other dogs howling or barking in your neighbourhood. Behaviourists believe this is a form of social bonding and communication, much like wolves howling together in the wild.

What dog breeds are known for howling?

Some breeds are genetically more prone to howling, especially those closer to wolves like Huskies, Malamutes, and Shiba Inus. Beagles and other hounds are also more likely to howl as part of their natural hunting instincts.

Research shows older dogs of ancient breeds may howl more and show stress-related signals, while modern breeds are more likely to bark.

However, howling behaviours can’t always be predicted. Some dogs don’t howl despite being more genetically prone, and other non-howling breeds can be very vocal.

Are dogs happy when they howl?

It depends on the circumstances. In some instances, a dog can become over-excited and howl loudly. This type of elated howling doesn’t tend to last very long and is often accompanied by cheerful wiggles and a few barks for good measure.

However, howling can also indicate that your dog is agitated by something - be that an illness, boredom, or pain of some sort. Dogs usually howl more when they’ve been contained for long periods of time or when they haven’t received much attention. Your dog may have separation anxiety if their howling is accompanied by pacing, or destructive behaviour and accidents indoors.

If you suspect that your pooch may be in pain or struggling with anxiety, we recommend contacting your vet.

How to stop your dog howling

Whether they’re over-excited or want to get your attention, there are a number of ways to try and stop your dog from howling.

Reward your dog when they’re being quiet

By rewarding your dog with a treat of some sort during quiet time will help them associate being quiet with good behaviour. Howling = no treats. Have a small supply of toys or treats on hand for when you want to reward your pup for being quiet - and try not to treat them unless they’ve been silent for 5 seconds or so. If your dog starts howling while waiting to be treated, ignore them until they stop.

Learn to ignore their howls

If your dog is howling for attention, you need to make sure your dog understands that howling isn’t going to get them what they want. Obviously, don’t punish them for howling - but do exercise ignoring your dog's howls. Ignoring their howls instead of shouting at them will help prevent reinforcing the behaviour - as some dogs might find being told off rewarding. Simply turn away and pretend not to notice.

Train your dog to keep quiet

Much like training your dog to do ‘paw’ or woof on command, you can also teach them to stop howling. Try encouraging your dog to make a noise every time you clap and say “speak!”. Once they’ve gotten the hang of it, praise your dog and give them a treat - this will encourage your dog to associate making noise with this cue, and therefore not howl without it.

What if my dog howls at night?

Usually, a dog howling at night wants attention - and this could be for a whole host of reasons, the most common being that they’re lonely or hungry. Though it can be very disruptive to your sleep cycle, it’s really important to listen to what your pup is trying to tell you - as they might be in pain or be in some sort of discomfort.

To help make your pup feel more at ease during the evening, why not try playing some white noise or classical music at bedtime? These types of sounds and symphonies help reduce anxiety and can really assist in settling your pooch down for rest. It works for babies, and it can work for your dog too. 

We’d also suggest an evening walk or play in the garden before putting them to bed - as this will help release any pent-up energy from the day.

Why do dogs howl in their sleep?

If you’ve noticed your dog howling while asleep, it’s probably just linked to their dreams. Like humans, dogs go through REM sleep, where involuntary vocalisations, twitching, and movements can occur. Occasional howling in sleep is normal, but frequent or distressed howling could point to discomfort or anxiety. 

What age do puppies start howling?

Puppy howling is very common, and it can start when puppies are just a few months old. For more context, here’s a rough timeline of vocal development in young dogs:

Grunts and whines tend to start when your puppy reaches 2 to 3 weeks - once their ears and eyes have fully opened. At around the 7 week mark, you may start to notice small and short barks or little yips, which will then eventually turn into barking and howling at around 16 weeks.

It often happens during the first stages of crate training or when they’re newly separated from their littermates. This is a normal part of their adjustment to independence, and most pups eventually grow out of this behaviour in time.

However, as with older dogs, howling in puppies can occasionally be a sign of discomfort or sickness, so it’s important to look out for any other symptoms of anxiety or signs of illness and let your vet know if you’re concerned. 

How to calm a howling puppy

Here are a few pointers on how to manage a howling puppy:

Don’t give them too much attention

We all know that puppies love the drama - so it’s important to remember that, though the howling can sound distressing, it’s usually just your pooch pushing the boundaries. So, instead of showering them with cuddles to perk them up, try popping something that smells like you in their sleeping area (like a t-shirt or a blanket) to give them some reassurance.

Tire out your puppy

Naturally, if your puppy is tired out it’s unlikely to have much energy for howling and barking. By introducing gentle exercises and playtime before hitting the hay, you’ll help them wind down for a calm, quiet bedtime.

Establish a routine

Keeping bedtime the same throughout their development period will help your puppy feel settled and calm. Try and make sure they go to bed at the same time every night and limit any changes to sounds or lighting. Mixing things up can encourage howling or whining.

What if my dog or puppy won’t stop howling?

If you’ve tried everything and you still can’t get your dog to stop howling and you’re unsure why, you may want to consider getting in touch with a vet or qualified behaviourist.

Your vet can rule out any underlying health problems that may be causing your dog to howl all the time, while a behaviourist will be able to identify other root causes and develop a bespoke training plan for your pooch.

Conclusion

The reasons why dogs howl can vary from joy and bonding to stress, loneliness, or instinct. Occasional howling is natural, but if your dog howls excessively at night or when left alone, it may signal anxiety or illness.

By rewarding calm behaviour, staying consistent with training, and addressing potential health or anxiety issues, you can reduce unwanted howling and create a happier home for you and your pet.

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