Picture a wolf and your mind probably immediately drifts to an image of a lone beast howling at the moon. This pretty classic trope has paved the way for our very own doggos, too, with many of us suspecting that they engage in howling behaviour when the moon is at its fullest. But is this actually true? Do dogs howl at the moon or do they howl at something else?
It turns out our beliefs towards dogs, howling and the moon may just be a little mislead…
Before we answer “Do dogs howl at the moon?” where does this idea come from?
In short, the idea that dogs howl at the moon comes from our ideas around their ancestors, wolves.
Dogs and wolves do have lots in common. This makes complete sense, given they’re from the same genus and species. Where they differ only slightly in their scientific classification is their subspecies. Wolves are Canis lupus, while dogs are known as Canis lupus familiaris. You can probably see why dogs and wolves share a lot of similarities. In fact, their genetics are nearly 99 per cent identical. This also means that the two can be bred together.
Wolves like to live in packs in the wild, and dogs enjoy being in group environments, too. Both animals also share many of the same behaviours, such as hunting prey, and they express themselves in similar ways. This includes howling as a means of communication.
When they’re making their voices heard, wolves mostly howl. They’re not really barkers, unlike dogs. Dogs, on the other hand, engage in a mix of barking, yelping, howling, and other curious doggo sounds. So, because we believe that wolves howl at the moon, we imagine that dogs do, too.
Do dogs howl at the moon?
Uh, not really. Dogs do howl at night, but their motives aren’t really to do with the moon’s presence. They also howl during the day for a multitude of reasons, none of which are remotely related to the moon.
So why do dogs do it?
- Their hearing is generally better at night. During the day, there’s lots going on: people are moving about, birds are chirping, and your furbaby is likely right in the thick of it all. At night, though, when everyone’s asleep, there’s very little to get in the way of your dog’s howl. With fewer disturbances in their environment, dogs can get their voices to travel further, so they’re more likely to try and call out to other dogs by howling
- They’re responding. On that note, if a dog calls out to all the other puppers in the neighbourhood, your pooch might howl back in response. They may also pipe up at the noise of a siren simply because it sounds a bit like a dog howling
- They’re bored or lonely. Many dogs bark when they’re bored or craving company. It’s simply a way of getting their Owner’s attention. Some dogs may also howl or whine for similar reasons
- They’re suffering separation anxiety. Excessive howling can be a sign that a dog is suffering from anxiety whenever they’re separated from their Owner. This one can be a little harder to detect, as you’re obviously not around to hear your doggo’s incessant howls. But, your neighbours might make the issue very clear if it goes on all day, every day while you’re out or at work. Usually, howling from separation anxiety is accompanied by other symptoms like destructive behaviour, depressive mood, pacing, or overall distress
- They could be in pain. If the howling is sudden, it could be an indication that your dog is sick or in pain. If you’re concerned, you might want to take them to the vet for a check-up
And do wolves even howl at the moon?
Also not really. Wolves are certainly nocturnal creatures, meaning they mostly spring to action at nightfall. They also tend to howl at night or very early in the morning, when it’s still dark. Obviously, this is when the moon is out. So what all this means is that the moon isn’t really a trigger, but just happens to be around when wolves are most active.
Wolves usually howl to communicate with other wolves over long distances. Because they live in the wild where their environment is pretty expansive, this ability is rather crucial. The myth that wolves howl at the moon may also stem from the fact that they point their heads upwards (seemingly towards the moon) so that the noise can carry further.
When wolves are howling, they’re usually asserting their dominance over a particular territory, calling out to other wolves to find out where they are, or letting other wolves know that predators or prey are nearby. Sometimes, they howl in harmony with the rest of their pack, which is said to strengthen their group bond. Sounds a little like the positive effect that communal karaoke has on us humans…
If my dog is howling, what can I do about it?
- Figure out their triggers. Understanding what causes your dog to howl is the first step in curbing it. If it’s simply that they howl in response to noises, there are lots of easy fixes. If your dog gets anxious when you’re not around, there’s a little more work involved in tackling their triggers. Luckily, there are several ways you can deal with separation anxiety in dogs. Tactics like creating a safe space, desensitisation, and counterconditioning can help
- Keep them indoors at night. If your pupper responds to other howling dogs or the sound of a siren, simply putting them inside the house at night can stop them from keeping the whole neighbourhood awake
- If they are outdoors, make sure they’re comfy. If your pooch spends most of their time outdoors, ensure their space is safe and comfortable. This means giving them a nice, cosy bed to sleep in, a good supply of fresh water, and access to a bowl of quality dry dog food that they can graze on throughout the day
- Spend time with them. Doggos are social creatures, so spending time with your furbaby can help curb their loneliness-induced howling. You could play a few games with them, take them for a walk, or just give them a good old belly rub to let them know you love them
- Ignore it. One of the best ways to conquer attention-seeking behaviour is to do the opposite of what your pooch wants: not give them any attention. As soon as your pupper starts howling, avoid looking at them or paying them attention of any kind. By ignoring your dog, you’re basically telling them that their howling won’t be rewarded
- Reward good behaviour. If the ignoring works and your dog eventually stops, the next step is to reward their good behaviour. While they’re quiet, hand them one of their favourite dog treats or give them a pat. This lets them know which behaviour will get rewarded
- Ask a professional for help. If the howling becomes seemingly impossible to stop, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with calling in some professional help. An animal behaviourist or qualified dog trainer can help train your dog out of their howling behaviour so you (and your neighbours) can get a better night’s sleep
