Nothing compares to the sound of a siren and a chorus of neighborhood dogs howling in the middle of the night. It’s no secret that dogs enjoy howling, but why do they howl at sirens and what is it about sirens that causes some dogs to want to howl along with it? Especially considering that not all dogs exhibit this behavior, let’s look at some of the most prevalent explanations.
It’s in a dog’s genes to howl at sirens. This is because of their common ancestor—the wolf. The hollowing of wolves during the night is well known. Think of the iconic image of a wolf howling at a full moon. Wolves use a variety of “howls” and vocalizations to communicate. Even more intriguing is the fact that some of the howls made by wolves are inaudible to human ears. Although we can’t hear it, your dog probably can, and this could cause him to howl into the night.
When wolves howl, they occasionally do so to locate other wolves in their pack. Howling can also be employed in other situations to deter approaching animals. Additionally, howling can be used to inform the pack of something significant that is nearby. Dogs sometimes use howling in similar ways.
Dogs and Howling: The Ancestry Connection
Wolves frequently have their heads thrown back while howling, and this pose is practically synonymous with them. In the wolf community, this unusual form of communication is used for a variety of purposes, including gathering the pack and locating other wolves.
A recent study out of Austria attempted to learn more about the specifics of why wolves howl (1). The study set out to determine if captive wolves could control howling vocalizations or if they were triggered by emotional stress. Researchers discovered that not only were howls voluntary, they were often a result of being separated from an important companion, like the pack leader or a preferred partner. This may be why modern-day dogs howl due to separation anxiety.
Unexpectedly, a study finding suggests that howling is not always associated with emotional stress. Cortisol levels in captive wolves’ saliva were measured by scientists, who found that they weren’t correlated with howl intensity.
Certified dog behavior consultant and dog trainer Pat Miller, owner of Peaceable Paws LCC, agrees that there’s probably a hardwired, instinctual element to domestic dogs howling. “I tend to buy into the theory that it harks back to wolves howling in packs and they enjoy it, especially because some dogs will also howl when other dogs howl,” she says. “If we want to be technical, we could say that dogs have a genetic propensity to be reinforced by the opportunity to howl along with others.”
It’s In Their Genes
The most respected answer to the question is that dogs howl at sirens due to their relation to wolves. Wolves communicate through a variety of vocalizations and noises, such as howls. Interestingly, some howls that wolves make are not audible to the human ear. Even though we can’t hear it, dogs can.
Since all dogs, regardless of how adorable and fluffy they may be now, were once wolves, it is thought that they have kept this trait in their genes, whether or not they are aware of it. Due to their wolf genes, dogs will howl in response to sirens.
Do We Know Why Dogs Howl at Sirens?
The truth is that scientists studying animal behavior and researchers don’t fully understand why some dogs howl when a siren goes by. But there are plenty of theories. Does it hurt their ears, are they trying to communicate with the sound?
While there are no clear-cut solutions, scientists do think that a dog’s genetic background most likely accounts for the origin of the behavior.
FAQ
Are sirens stressful for dogs?
Despite the fact that dogs’ ears are much more sensitive than humans’, it is unlikely that loud siren noise will damage them. According to Miller, dogs typically don’t respond to sirens in ways that suggest pain, especially if they howl in response.
Do dogs howl at sirens because it hurts their ears?
There is nothing to worry about if you’re worried that your dog is howling in agony due to the loud sirens. It is highly unlikely that the sirens will damage dogs’ ears because they can hear such high-pitched noises. Therefore, their howling is not caused by discomfort or pain.
Why do dogs cry when they hear sirens?
Your dog may howl to let you know that something is wrong if they notice anything new, strange, or potentially dangerous in their environment. They may perceive the sound of the siren as a threat if they aren’t used to hearing them, in which case they may howl to get your attention and alert you to the danger.
Are dogs stressed when they howl at sirens?
This may give you the impression that your dog may bark at sirens because the noise annoys or even hurts them. However, most experts don’t believe this is the case. Dog body language is dependent on multiple behaviors, and a distressed dog will display a number of “classic” behaviors and body language cues.