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Are you minding your business when all of a sudden, your dog starts howling as an ambulance rushes by? It seems that anytime there are sirens, your dog starts singing. Why do some dogs do this and not others? In this article, we will delve deep into the science behind why some dogs howl at sirens, and the answers will surprise you.
Why Do Dogs Howl at Sirens?
Ancestral behavioral instincts
To understand why dogs howl at sirens, we need to first understand why they howl in general. Dogs are descendants of wolves, and wolves howl to communicate over long distances. Wolves use howling to express their location to their pack and to deter rival members from encroaching on their territory. Wolves may be separated from their pack for various reasons such as hunting, and howling helps reveal their whereabouts.
While howling can help disclose location or fend off rival wolf packs, it can also be a sense of affection between two pack members that resemble strong connections.
Similar to wolves, it is believed that dogs howl to communicate. But what are they trying to communicate when they hear a siren? Scientists aren’t completely sure, but they have a couple of theories. Dogs may be trying to communicate to you that the unfamiliar sound is a threat and grab your attention.
Dogs may use their howl as a way to declare their presence and discourage a rival pack – or sirens in this case – from entering their territory, which could be your home. Seemingly, your dog tries to protect you from these sounds due to their ancestral traits.
They Are a Vocal Breed
Some dog breeds are known to be more vocal than others. This includes breeds like Alaskan Malamutes, Basset Hounds, Beagles, and Bloodhounds. The tendency to howl can also be influenced by the dog’s personality. For a comprehensive list of vocal dog breeds, refer to this list.
They are imitating the sound
Dogs are capable of mimicking various sounds, and their howling may be an attempt to imitate the high-pitched sound of sirens. At times, dogs may mimic people that howl at them, supporting the theory of imitation.
Anxiety
Sirens are loud and unpleasant. Your dog may be anxious because it is a loud and unfamiliar sound, and howling can be a coping mechanism.
Why Do Some Dogs Not Howl at Sirens?
There are many reasons why your dog my not even howl in the first place when sirens are coming by.
They are a Quiet Breed
There are many quiet dog breeds, such as Greyhounds, Chow Chows, Shibas, Great Danes, and many more. If you suspect that your dog may be a quiet breed, you can refer to this list, which includes most of the quiet dog breeds.
Whether your dog howls or not may depend on their personality and whether they are vocal or only make noise when they want to.
They Haven't Learned How to Howl Yet
Dogs may go through their entire lifetimes without learning how to howl. It all depends on their abilities and their ability to learn at a young age.
Environmental Factors
Many external factors can affect a dog’s ability to howl, such as training or not being around other howling dogs. If you have a dog that was raised alone and isn’t around many dogs, they may not howl.
Some owners or pet facilities may discourage howling behaviors by ignoring them or using negative reinforcement. A dog might also be too shy to vocalize due to past abuse.
Hearing Problems
Since howling is triggered by sound, a senior dog or a dog with hearing issues may not hear the sirens and therefore not howl.
They are ill or anxious
Sirens are often loud and unpleasant to the human ear. This also holds true for dogs. Although it is unlikely that dogs will suffer hearing damage from sirens since the exposure is short-term, it is still distressing for some of them. They can become anxious and scared due to the loud noise, which can inhibit their ability to vocalize.
If your dog is unwell, they may lack the energy to howl. Their lethargy should be a cause for concern if it is a significant deviation from their normal behavior, and you should contact a veterinarian.
Conclusion
Dogs may howl at sirens as a way to communicate based on instinct, to mimic the sound, or due to breed differences. If your dog doesn’t howl when sirens are heard, it could be because of their breed, past experiences, illness, hearing impairment, or because they simply never learned to howl.
FAQs
Do sirens hurt my Dogs Ears?
What Dog Breeds are More Likely to Howl?
Some dog breeds are more vocal than others. For instance, Bloodhounds, Huskies, Beagles, and Basset Hounds are known for being quite vocal. On the other hand, breeds such as Greyhounds, Collies, Great Danes, Borzois, and Bulldogs are less likely to be as vocal.
How do I Stop My Dog From Howling?
You might feel frustrated when your dog howls, and you may be wondering if it’s possible to stop this behavior. Desensitization and positive reinforcement are effective methods to prevent them from howling.
Ignoring the behavior and rewarding quiet behavior will reinforce dogs to stay quiet and not engage in howling.
Sources
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