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If you\u2019re looking for support and advice with training your puppy or dog, then look no further than the Zigzag app.<\/a> It has everything you need from learning about socialization and habituation, to potty training, life skills and obedience training, all served up at the time you need at most, and based around your dog’s breed type. There\u2019s also a team of professional dog trainers <\/a>on hand to help you along the way, and they\u2019re available 24\/7 via our in-app chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Howling is a form of vocalization and a way of communicating, both with us, and with other dogs. Howling is usually a response to something, to sound the alarm or communicate feelings, be that distress, anxiety or excitement, it\u2019s also a breed trait in certain types of dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barking and body language are also ways of communication, read our guides to puppy behavior<\/a>, body language<\/a> and how to stop a puppy barking for attention<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reasons that dogs howl are varied, from being scared and worried, joining in with the noise, feeling startled or alarmed, as an instinct, or even just for fun! Here\u2019s the top 5 reasons that dogs howl at sirens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sirens can be loud, unpredictable and also change pitch as they go past. This sudden noise can scare your dog, causing them to howl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your dog may interpret the siren sound as something you really<\/em> need to know about, and can\u2019t possibly hear without them howling! <\/p>\n\n\n\n When dogs hear a sound in the distance, some may use howling as a way of letting other dogs know. This phenomenon is called social facilitation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though it\u2019s a long time since dogs were domesticated<\/a>, many of their instincts remain. Hearing a loud, shrill tone like a siren may prompt your dog to join and also howl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For some dogs howling, or barking<\/a> is a self reinforcing behavior and something they really enjoy doing! So, given the opportunity many dogs will enjoy the howling, this happens even more if you join in! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, any loud noise like a siren can hurt your dog\u2019s ears! A dog\u2019s hearing is more sensitive than a human\u2019s too, so they can hear those sirens even louder than we can! It\u2019s no wonder they are scared of loud noises like fireworks,<\/a> really. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, some breeds of dog are more likely to howl at sirens. While, there are always going to be variations and individual personalities within a breed, we can make some generalizations and their likelihood to howl at sirens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone knows a husky loves to howl don\u2019t they? Yes, they don\u2019t need much encouragement, so will likely howl at sirens more than other dog breeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read all about Huskies in our guide to training a Husky puppy.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a Beagle, then you know they love to bark and howl, and that this type of howl is known as \u2018baying\u2019. They really enjoy being vocal and telling everyone about those sirens going past! They really do think they are saving your life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more about Beagles in our Beagle training guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another baying hound! Yes, Bassets have a loud and melodic voice, and they\u2019re happy to shout about it. Don’t be surprised if your Basset Hound \u2018sings along\u2019 to the sound of sirens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bred to seek out badgers, these pocket rockets have a large and loud howl, and they are pleased to use it! Yep, they\u2019ll have a great howl at sirens, and they might also bark at visitors at the front door<\/a> too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more in our Dachshund training guide<\/a>, or our guide to how to stop your puppy barking at thin air<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog is howling at sirens, and it\u2019s becoming a bit too much, it\u2019s worth teaching them to be quiet and lessen the howling with training. Try our training tips to help your dog stop howling at sirens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s so tempting to keep telling your dog to \u2018shh\u2019 but for your dog it can be rewarding<\/a> and feel like you\u2019re joining in. Shouting at them, can also make them feel like they were right to be scared and will lead to more barking<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distract them with toys<\/a> to interrupt the howling and have them fetch<\/a>, or enjoy a game <\/a>of tug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more about using management techniques with your dog in our article how to help your dog get it right with dog management<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs who howl at sirens, can often do it as it\u2019s so different to the peace and quiet they\u2019ve been used to. Use a white noise machine<\/a>, or play music so that the siren noise isn\u2019t so sudden and jarring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can teach your dog to speak<\/a>, so that they can bark on cue, but you can also teach them to be quiet when asked. Do this with treats<\/a> and positive reinforcement training<\/a>, so you can calm them down and ask them not to howl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lots of dogs have problems with sirens and other loud noises like fireworks<\/a>, but you can use gradual exposure with desensitization and counter conditioning to lessen their reaction over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Too often, we forget when our dog\u2019s been good and hasn\u2019t howled at sirens and then react or only notice when they do something we don\u2019t like. If your dog doesn\u2019t howl at sirens, then reward them<\/a>! They\u2019ll learn that not howling, and being quiet will be a good thing to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If things are a bit much, and the howling at sirens is causing you distress, then it\u2019s worth talking to a dog trainer to provide you with some personalized support. You can talk to a professional dog trainer<\/a> in the Zigzag app<\/a>, and they\u2019ll be sure to give you some tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Changing a dog\u2019s behavior takes time and patience, and teaching your dog not to howl at sirens is no different! Dogs howl at sirens for all kinds of reasons, from fear and anxiety, to just enjoy a good \u2018Awoooooo\u2019. With consistent positive reinforcement training, you can change the association and have your dog being quiet, don\u2019t worry! <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a shouty dog, or a vocal pup you can learn more in our articles how to stop your puppy from barking<\/a>, how to stop a puppy barking at night<\/a> and help why is my puppy barking at everything<\/a>. You\u2019ll have peace and quiet in no time! <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"howling](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/howl-1.png\")
Why do dogs howl?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5 Reasons why dogs howl at sirens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"small](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/howl-2.png\")
Do sirens hurt my dog’s ears?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are some dog breeds more likely to howl at sirens than others?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Huskies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Beagles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Basset Hounds <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dachshunds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Howling](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/howl-3.png\")
How to stop your dog from howling at sirens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t join in<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Give them something else to do<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Use sound muffling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Teach them a quiet cue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Desensitize them to noises<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reward them when they\u2019re quiet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Seek out the help of a trainer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n