Dalmatians are such an adorable breed and almost everyone finds them beautiful. But, they often have a tendency to howl. In situations where other dogs usually bark, Dalmatians generally opt for howling. And there are certain interesting reasons behind such behavior.
So, do you know why does your Dalmatian howl so often? Well, generally, Dalmatians howl in order to communicate with others (owner/other dogs). By howling, they try to let others know about their location, intruders, or any difficult situation that they faced. Also, sometimes, Dalmatians howl if they face separation anxiety (from their owner or pack).
Apart from these general cases, there can be other reasons as well. So, you need to pay attention closely to your dog. See if it is trying to tell you something in the form of a howl. If your Dalmatian is facing anxiety or illness, you will find its howl to be a bit different. And also, some other symptoms along with it. Are you ready to find out more?
Related Reading: Does Your Basenji Howl By Yodeling?
Do Dalmatians Howl Often?
First of all, you should know that your Dalmatian usually howls to communicate. It is an action from your Dog by which it wants to let you know of its presence or someone else’s. But, oftentimes, you might find your dog’s howling somewhat different than usual. And as an owner, you should be concerned because your dog may be howling due to anxiety.
11 Common Reasons: Why Does Your Dalmatian Howl?
You might wonder why Dalmatians howl. Well, there can be many reasons behind this and things might differ for different dogs. So, it’s important for you to learn the causes and symptoms in order to understand your pup.
#1 Does Your Dalmatian Howl To Communicate?
Do you know that dogs have some similar features to wolves? And, one of these features is howling which acts as a form of vocal communication for them. Your Dalmatian can howl for trying to communicate with its mate or friend. It is a way for them to let others know of their presence and location.
You can also take it as a code by which dogs communicate. Because Dalmatians like their ancestors were always roaming around the jungles in groups. And sometimes, when they were separated, they needed a way to find other members of the pack. So, howling was something that was easy for them to use as a means to connect to others.
#2 Does Your Dalmatian Howl To Seek Your Attention?
Your Dalmatian definitely likes to get your attention. And it likes to get your appreciation through light pats, hugs etc. Thus, when it wants to seek your attention, it generally tries to howl. Because in that way, you will pay attention to it.
You should know that your puppy often gets bored for various reasons. So, it is very normal for them to want you to be with them. You should see this as a sign of your Dalmatian’s boredom, lack of physical exercise, lack of confidence. Thus, become more prone to keep on howling just to catch your eye and seek comfort and love from you.
#3 Does Your Dalmatian Howl To Express Joy and Success?
You might have seen your Dalmatian howling right after doing something enjoyable. For example, it could be the new move it mastered, the ball or Frisbee it caught or it can be something your dog liked. Thus, howling in such situations works as a means to express their excitement.
If your Dalmatian is only howling out of enjoyment, you’ll surely be able to detect it. Because the howling voice will surely carry the joy it is facing. And it will definitely be different from the ones when your puppy is sad or bored. So, you should check why your puppy is howling. Is it due to being joyous or sad?
#4 Do Dalmatians Howl To Defend Their Territory?
Compared to other animals, dogs like Dalmatians opt for howling to mark their territory. When your dog feels that a stranger is trying to approach its zone or boundaries, it naturally tries to howl in order to warn the person. Or, they howl in order to inform other dogs or you about the intruder.
#5 Does Your Dalmatian Doggy Howl As A Response To Other Dogs Howling?
You Dalmatian can naturally detect the howling from other dogs and their high-pitched noise or sound. You can’t detect such sounds but your dog surely can. This is surely common for canines like Dalmatians to respond to the howling by howling.
Also, beware that, sometimes, other high-pitched noises, such as ambulance signals, fire truck sirens, and even some musical instruments can trigger a similar scenario. So, oftentimes, your puppy may end up creating more noise which is a kind of instinctual response from them.
Read To Know: Does Your Border Terrier Like To Howl?
#6 Does Your Dalmatian Howl Because He/ She is Isolated?
Dogs like Dalmatians can often suffer from “Pack Separation Anxiety” and this is something very common. Because their ancestors are the wolves, dogs who are used to living in packs. That’s why, when your pup is separated from its group or when a fellow pack member is missing, it tries to howl in order to indicate the location.
This is something common for dogs that used to live in packs and separated for some reason later. Your domestic Dalmatian may also show this behavior when left alone for a long time.
#7 Does Your Dalmatian Howl When It Is Separated From You?
Well, your Dalmatian is very much loyal and attached to you. Also, it is very affectionate towards you. This is why, when it is separated from you, your dog howls in an attempt to be found.
Separation can cause anxiety and stress for your puppy. It tries to be found and returned to you as soon as possible. Thus, a howling attempt seems more like a desperate cry for your absence.
#8 Is Your Dalmatian Dealing with Anxiety?
- Barking or howling: when you aren’t home, your dog tends to bark/howl more.
- Panting and pacing: Even when the weather is not that hot, your Dalmatian can pant due to anxiety.
- Shivering: Even when the weather is not that cold, your dog can shiver due to facing anxiety.
- Running away: Your dog runs away and cowers in the corner of a house due to being anxious.
- Digging: You see a sudden excessive digging into mud/soil from your dog.
- Escaping the yard: Trying to rush to the yard in order to hide.
- Destroying furniture: This is something your dog can do when facing anxiety.
- Self-harm: You see excessive licking or chewing from your puppy.
- Not eating: Your dog refuses to eat or seems indifferent towards eating.
- Urinating more frequently: Your dog can pee more often than usual.
- A general inability to settle: Your pup doesn’t tend to settle anywhere and can’t be at peace.
- Other symptoms: Lip licking, showing whites of the eyes, lifting a paw, looking away, etc.
Related Reading: Why Does Your Border Collie Howl?
#9 Do Dalmatians Howl To Express Annoyance?
Sometimes, when your dog feels irritated, upset, or sad, it may howl. There can be various things that can make your puppy annoyed. Such as consistent noises like alarm clocks, electronic beeps, and sirens, etc. At these times, your Dalmatian tends to howl in these cases because such noises make it super annoyed.
#10 Do Dalmatians Howl Because Of Medical Issues?
Although this isn’t something very common, your Dalmatian may howl when it suffers from physical issues. For example, injuries, illnesses and internal pains, etc. So, you as an owner should check whether your puppy is howling consistently for other reasons or due to medical issues.
Sometimes, even if your dog has been fed and cared for, seeking medical help is necessary. So, you should pay attention to your pup closely.
#11 Does Siren Hurt Your Dalmatian’s Ears?
Just like average humans, your Dalmatian’s hearing ability depends on its age. Your dog can naturally hear sounds of higher frequency. Most people think that dogs are more sensitive to hearing than humans, thus, loud sirens don’t hurt their ears.
There are signs that a dog finds sirens aversive. These signs include hiding, trembling, and running away from the sound, rather than staying in place and howling. Generally, siren sounds aren’t painful, despite your dogs’ sensitive hearing.
Related Reading: Why Do Bloodhounds Howl?
How To Stop Your Dalmatian From Howling?
- Ignore your dog’s howling: Sometimes, your Dalmatian will howl just to get your attention. To prevent this you need to show your dog that howling is not a good way to get your attention. Instead of scolding, try not to touch, speak, or look at your dog when it tries to get your attention by howling.
- Reward your dog for being quiet: You should reward your Dalmatian when it is quiet. In this way, your puppy will stop howling excessively. Stop giving your dog anything (food, treats, toys, etc.) until it becomes quiet for at least five seconds.
- Train your dog to be quiet on command: You can train your dog to stop howling or making other noise when you give a certain command. Use certain words for commands and reward your puppy when it masters that training.
- Finding help: Try to seek help from a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) in cases when you can’t get rid of your dog’s howling. They will be able to help you in finding the right treatment for your dog’s howling.
- Desensitization and counterconditioning: If your Dalmatian howls due to any specific situation, you’ll need to change its motivation and feelings.
- Spend time with your dog: If your Dalmatian is left alone for long hours, she generally gets anxious and sad. Try to spend more quality time with your puppy. Playing with your mutt can strengthen your bond and make your pup less stressed.
Related Reading: Why Do Irish Wolfhounds Howl?
Dalmatian’s Behavior Related Questions:
Do Dalmatians Howl Like Wolves?
Like wolves, Dalmatians too will howl in order to let others know about their location. This is due to the fact that the ancestors of Dalmatians are wolves. Thus, your dog has a wolf-like tendency. Oftentimes, your dog can howl to respond to a siren or from a familiar dog that it sees nearby.
Related Reading: Know More About Your Dalmatian’s Bark
Why Do Dalmatians Howl at Sirens?
According to experts, your Dalmatian howls when they hear the high-pitched sounds of a siren. Because it thinks it’s another dog howling in the distance. Thus, your dog hearing a siren and howl generally thinks that there’s another dog nearby.
Another reason for your dog to howl at sirens has something to do with protection. When your dog senses something new, unusual, and potentially threatening, it might use howling as a way to let you (the owner) know that something isn’t right.
Why Do Dalmatians Howl To Music?
Your Dalmatian can be sensitive towards certain high-pitched sounds like music or a fire engine. And sometimes, these things can trigger the howling instinct in your dog. Even though scientists can’t say whether your dog thinks music (or a siren) is another dog with certainty, it is evident that music does have a similar effect at times.
Over To You
Which of the above-mentioned facts helped you the best? Which reasons were you already aware of? And which one is new to you?
Is there any specific technique that you want to try to stop your Dalmatian from howling? Is there anything I missed? Please do let me know.
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Please put your questions and feedback in the comment section.
Further Readings:
Related Topics
1. Why Does Your Border Terrier Sing?
2. Why Does Your Dalmatian Smile?
