In many cultures, dogs howling at night is interpreted as a sign that these animals have seen supernatural beings that can't be seen by human naked eye. This sometimes happen when your own dog howls at night and another dog from the neighborhood follows making a series of howls which is a very chilling moment.
But what is really the real reason behind those dogs howling? According to Pets WebMD, howling is a way of communication for dogs. Dogs catches one's attention by howling and they respond to it by howling too.
There are a lot of experts who have been trying to decipher the different behavior of dogs including their way of communication. Here are some reason why dogs howl.
1. Genetic or bloodline
Howling is commonly associated with wolves. There are a lot of dogs who are said to originate from the bloodline of wolves. According to Dogster page, dog breeds that are commonly known to howl are huskies, hounds, beagles, Alaskan malamutes, and dachshund.
2. Separation Anxiety in dogs
Dogs howl to communicate with other dogs especially with his pack. Dogs by nature will howl if they are separated from their pack and this relates in modern time dogs. These domesticated dogs consider their master or dog owners are their own pack so an absence of their masters could mean separation to them.
3. Warning for dogs entering another territory
Howling can also be interpreted as a warning call for other dogs who are entering a claimed territory. Howling will warn them that they can't occupy the area because another dog already claimed the place.
4. Expressing that they are hurt or injured
If dogs are excessively howling, it is very likely that they are suffering from an illness. Dogs also howl if they are hurt. This is one way how dogs express what they feel.
