7 Reasons Why Dogs Howl: Unveiling the Canine Whimper

Understanding our furry companions better, let's delve into some lesserknown reasons behind a dog's barking behaviors.

1. Mental Health Status

Many neurological issues and mental health conditions can lead to dogs whining and yelping. Some owners may not realize that dogs can experience a range of mental health problems akin to humans, such as depression, obsessivecompulsive disorder, stress, anxiety (including separation anxiety), and dementia associated with aging. In dogs, dementia is often referred to as canine cognitive dysfunction.

2. Medical Conditions or Chronic Diseases

A significant number of diseases can cause dogs to bark and howl, including dental issues, injuries, orthopedic pain, digestive disorders, infectious diseases, parasites, urinary tract infections, ear infections, and noninfectious diseases. If your dog is continually crying and complaining, it might indicate a health issue. Without a visit to a specialized veterinary clinic, these issues can be challenging to pinpoint.

3. Extreme Temperatures

Dogs are not as adept at adapting to environmental temperatures as humans. Depending on their breed and size, they can be highly sensitive to both heat and cold. Monitor your dog's comfort in extreme weather and try to keep them indoors as much as possible. Adjust the indoor temperature accordingly and ensure their sleeping area remains dry.

4. Submissive Behavior

When dogs feel threatened by another animal or human, they often exhibit aggressive or submissive behaviors, which can include whining and barking. This is a normal canine behavior, and dogs may also show other signs of submission, like avoiding eye contact, lying down, tilting their ears back, tucking their tails, or crouching. It's crucial to avoid physical or verbal punishment, as this can exacerbate such behaviors and diminish a dog's confidence. If your dog attempts to "apologize," acknowledge its apology to soothe it and prevent further issues, such as a lack of security.

5. Lack of Security

Dogs that have suffered physical or psychological trauma, been attacked by other animals or humans, or been reprimanded by their owners often lack confidence and security, which can lead to barking behaviors. You should never hit or scold a puppy as a form of "training" or "discipline," even for perceived bad behavior. It's always better and more effective to reward good behavior rather than punish bad behavior.

6. Solitude

Dogs are highly social animals, and in the wild, they do everything together, including sleeping. It's normal for dogs to fear being alone at night. This fear might stem from puppyhood, as they adapt to living away from their mothers and siblings, expressing their distress through whining or barking. New puppies, novice dog owners, or even adult dogs that have just moved in should ideally sleep in the same room for a few weeks. Gradually train them to sleep alone if possible.

7. Excitement

Highly energetic and active dogs may bark and howl due to overexcitement. They have so much energy that they find it hard to contain themselves, and if they don't have other outlets, they might choose to express their excitement through barking. This is a common behavior, often seen when greeting a favorite person or animal. It's perfectly normal. You can reduce or eliminate excitementinduced barking by providing new toys or treats for your pet.