Howling??! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BellaYorkie · 10-14-2006, 02:49 AM

I was shocked to hear my baby HOWLING today when I left for work. I have never heard her make this noise and am terrified this will become a habit! It is worse then a barking dog. Anyone had a similar experience?
She did hush down after a few minutes, but ouch did it hurt!

Piccolo's mom · 10-14-2006, 04:57 AM

Piccolo does this when he's mad at me !

Oscar's Mummy · 10-14-2006, 05:14 AM

I've always heard that dogs howl when they are lonely - which makes sense if you say he does it when you leave for work - he wants you to know he's there.

I found this info on howling:
"Howling is a form of communication in dogs. It is a way for dogs to signal their presence to other dogs that are often located far away. It is common in wolves and coyotes, both relatives of today's domestic dog.

Domestic dogs that howl, especially those that howl excessively are usually doing this because they are bored and lonely. Getting extra toys, and giving your dog more attention and exercise will help to stimulate your dog and reduce excessive howling. If you make your dog sleep outside all night, it's no wonder the dog howls a lot. Bring the dog inside!

Sometimes dogs will howl when they hear sirens or other loud higher pitched sounds like clarinets and flutes. These sounds may even come from a television set. Dogs do this as an instinctive response to hearing what they interpret to be another howl (dog in the distance). They are not doing this because it hurts their ears."

Maybe you could try giving your dog something to do when you leave for work - like a Kong stuffed with healthy treats that he has to work at to get, or a bullystick or pig ear (these occupy my dogs for HOURS). Give him something to do and he wont have time to think about whether you're gone and for how long.

BellaYorkie · 10-14-2006, 06:27 AM

Thanks for the info, it makes sense. I have lots of toys for her and give her a special treat 9greenies0 just before i leave. When i came home today I found she hadn't even touched it...she usually loves them. I will try taking her for a long walk next time, but I think this behaviour is out of my hands.

Hopefully she grows out of this stage. I wish i could spend every minute with her, but someone has tp work for her kibble!

louie's mom · 10-14-2006, 07:15 AM

Louie does this every morning while i am in the shower. i can't bring him in the bathroom with me because he loves to investagate everything and i am so worried about him getting into something. he also does it sometimes when he is in his playpen and i am cleaning.. at first i was worried, but he does it less. maybe he is realizing that i will come back..

annette and louie

chachi · 10-14-2006, 07:37 AM

Chachi and Jewels do this. I think it is cute. If I want them to stop I clap my hands and tell them quiet. I also do that when they bark. I dont know why but this works with them

Rem&Silkmom · 10-14-2006, 08:27 AM

Remmy only howls when he hears sirens...He has taught Chance to do it also. It makes me laugh everytime.

BellaYorkie · 10-14-2006, 05:29 PM

I read that howling is a sign of seperation anxiety and that I should try to reduce the attatchment we have through some simple exerices. Leaving her in hr pen while I am home and ignoring any bossy behaviours. Basically build up her indipendence. This should be interesting.

Erin · 10-14-2006, 06:15 PM

Please don't give greenies when you aren't home. Stick with things they can't choke on - like Kongs w/ peanut butter.

Loki howls sometimes as his "warning" bark likes with sirens or cars in our driveway in the middle of the night. It's not like a Beagle howl though. When I drop him off at daycare he SCREAMS at me. We can't think of any other word for it. The trainer says he's fine as soon as I leave. As long as she *does* quiet down you are probably OK. Loki will also leave a Kong empty while we are gone on occasion. I think they just like the company, but they do need to learn to be alone. Do you crate train? We leave Loki in his crate when we have to leave him home alone and he just sleeps the whole time. I think it's comforting for him not to have to "watch" the doors and such. It's just naptime for him so it's not stressful.

BLowry · 10-14-2006, 06:19 PM

Lillie does this if she is left alone...she is only 17 weeks old and she hasn't attempted the stairs yet...Sadie won't keep her company when I leave the room and Lillie will howl!!! The first time she did this I laughed so hard!! Such a big noise coming out of such a little furbaby!!

10-14-2006, 02:49 AM	#1
BellaYorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 81	Howling??! I was shocked to hear my baby HOWLING today when I left for work. I have never heard her make this noise and am terrified this will become a habit! It is worse then a barking dog. Anyone had a similar experience? She did hush down after a few minutes, but ouch did it hurt!

10-14-2006, 04:57 AM	#2
Piccolo's mom Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Posts: 768	Piccolo does this when he's mad at me ! __________________ Barb & Piccolo If your dog barks and doesn't fit in a bread roll, don't eat it.

10-14-2006, 05:14 AM	#3
Oscar's Mummy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,275	I've always heard that dogs howl when they are lonely - which makes sense if you say he does it when you leave for work - he wants you to know he's there. I found this info on howling: "Howling is a form of communication in dogs. It is a way for dogs to signal their presence to other dogs that are often located far away. It is common in wolves and coyotes, both relatives of today's domestic dog. Domestic dogs that howl, especially those that howl excessively are usually doing this because they are bored and lonely. Getting extra toys, and giving your dog more attention and exercise will help to stimulate your dog and reduce excessive howling. If you make your dog sleep outside all night, it's no wonder the dog howls a lot. Bring the dog inside! Sometimes dogs will howl when they hear sirens or other loud higher pitched sounds like clarinets and flutes. These sounds may even come from a television set. Dogs do this as an instinctive response to hearing what they interpret to be another howl (dog in the distance). They are not doing this because it hurts their ears." Maybe you could try giving your dog something to do when you leave for work - like a Kong stuffed with healthy treats that he has to work at to get, or a bullystick or pig ear (these occupy my dogs for HOURS). Give him something to do and he wont have time to think about whether you're gone and for how long. __________________ Janice, Oscar and Baby Ruth "The more people I meet, the more I love my dog."

10-14-2006, 07:37 AM	#6
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 22,233	Chachi and Jewels do this. I think it is cute. If I want them to stop I clap my hands and tell them quiet. I also do that when they bark. I dont know why but this works with them __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

10-14-2006, 08:27 AM	#7
Rem&Silkmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 833	We have howlers Remmy only howls when he hears sirens...He has taught Chance to do it also. It makes me laugh everytime. __________________ *Remmy&ChanceMOM*

10-14-2006, 06:27 AM	#4
BellaYorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 81	Thanks for the info, it makes sense. I have lots of toys for her and give her a special treat 9greenies0 just before i leave. When i came home today I found she hadn't even touched it...she usually loves them. I will try taking her for a long walk next time, but I think this behaviour is out of my hands. Hopefully she grows out of this stage. I wish i could spend every minute with her, but someone has tp work for her kibble!

10-14-2006, 07:15 AM	#5
louie's mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: charlotte Posts: 99	Louie does this every morning while i am in the shower. i can't bring him in the bathroom with me because he loves to investagate everything and i am so worried about him getting into something. he also does it sometimes when he is in his playpen and i am cleaning.. at first i was worried, but he does it less. maybe he is realizing that i will come back.. annette and louie

10-14-2006, 05:29 PM	#8
BellaYorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 81	I read that howling is a sign of seperation anxiety and that I should try to reduce the attatchment we have through some simple exerices. Leaving her in hr pen while I am home and ignoring any bossy behaviours. Basically build up her indipendence. This should be interesting.

10-14-2006, 06:15 PM	#9
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 2,635	Please don't give greenies when you aren't home. Stick with things they can't choke on - like Kongs w/ peanut butter. Loki howls sometimes as his "warning" bark likes with sirens or cars in our driveway in the middle of the night. It's not like a Beagle howl though. When I drop him off at daycare he SCREAMS at me. We can't think of any other word for it. The trainer says he's fine as soon as I leave. As long as she does quiet down you are probably OK. Loki will also leave a Kong empty while we are gone on occasion. I think they just like the company, but they do need to learn to be alone. Do you crate train? We leave Loki in his crate when we have to leave him home alone and he just sleeps the whole time. I think it's comforting for him not to have to "watch" the doors and such. It's just naptime for him so it's not stressful.

10-14-2006, 06:19 PM	#10
BLowry Loved by Sadie & Lillie Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,786	Lillie does this if she is left alone...she is only 17 weeks old and she hasn't attempted the stairs yet...Sadie won't keep her company when I leave the room and Lillie will howl!!! The first time she did this I laughed so hard!! Such a big noise coming out of such a little furbaby!! __________________ Brenda