Why do Huskies howl instead of barking?
It is quite evident from the appearance of Huskies that they are very closely related to their wolf ancestors. So just like their brave pack ancestors, Huskies howl. There are many theories behind this behavior. The most prevalent theory suggests that the howling is amongst the traits they have inherited from their closest ancestors, wolves. Even though Huskies have been bred for many years now, their sacred ancestry is quite discernible in their behavior.
Even the Huskies exported to North America from Siberia and bred in Alaska for many years have retained this nature. If you have ever been with a Husky, you would have noticed how lively and energetic these dogs tend to be. The notion that Huskies howl when they are sad is not quite appropriate.
There can be several reasons why do huskies howl
You can analyze the exact reason for your Huskies howling by ruling out the stress-related factors. If your Husky is home alone, they may be howling out of separation anxiety. Sometimes Huskies also communicate their joy by howling. You can check for any surrounding noise in your locality with which your Husky may be trying to communicate.
Howling may be a means to communicate
Wolves howl to communicate with their pack. Different packs have different frequencies of howl which they use to distinguish from other packs. As compared to barking, howling is a remarkable way through which canines communicate over long distances. Unlike barks, howls don’t disintegrate and are more likely to be heard farther on the shoulders of the wind. While barks echo, howls do not.
It is quite evident that howling is a better means of communication over extended distances. This is why the dogs that are more closely linked to their ancestors tend to howl. Note that howling isn’t employed by Huskies as a means of communication in a group. But it is surely a significant trait descended from their ancestors.
Howling may be a sort of alarm
Howling may also imply that your Husky is trying to communicate some emotion. Huskies tend to feel stress and anxiety in overwhelming situations. Howling may be a sign of emotional expression. It could also be a sort of alarm against some looming threat. As you note the behavior patterns of your Husky over the years, you’ll learn to understand the significance of their howling.
Animals cannot speak but they often express themselves well through their body language. When your Husky is howling, you should pay attention to their bodily expression to understand what might be the reason behind this behavior. When the reason is anxiety, the volume of the howl would be high. You might also notice that the dog keeps their body stiff while making the noise.
When your Husky is trying to signal towards a looming threat, they would typically howl in the direction of the threat while signaling at the potential danger through bodily movement. It is also possible for your Husky to howl when they are happy. Happy Huskies would embark on the typical shaggy and wavy tail motion while admirably staring at the person the affection is directed at.
You cannot judge the emotions of a dog merely by listening to their howling sounds. You ought to pay attention to the signs exhibited by their body to understand the implication of the howling.
Howling may be a response to other sounds
Huskies instinctively respond to other interesting sounds by howling. Howling generally occurs as a response to high-pitched sounds. Wolves use howling as a means to communicate their plight to the rest of the members of their pack. A left-out wolf could locate the pack owing to this response. So howling may just be an ancestral trait and an instinctive response to abnormal sounds.
Howling may be a sign of bad health
Your Husky might also howl when they are unwell and need attention. Huskies have one sole way of expressing their cries of pain. Siberian Huskies are a wholesome breed and do not generally suffer from any major threatening diseases. However, some Huskies develop hereditary eye disease. Hip dysplasia is also a common problem amongst canines.
The above-mentioned issues are more commonly seen in Huskies than other breeds of dogs. You must pay attention to the signs of any discomfort.
Huskies may howl when they are alone
Leaving your Husky alone could make them anxious or disturbed. In such a scenario, howling would be a means to communicate their plight. This might be an expression of their boredom, anxiety, or stress. Most other dogs express such feelings by engaging in chewing activities or navigating the area. You must pay attention to your Husky’s needs if they howl frequently when they are home alone. Fulfillment of their needs should stop the howling.
Howling may be a plea for attention
Primitive wolves used howling as a means to communicate. Each pack had its particular way of howling that distinguished them from other groups. These primitive linguistic skills enabled the wolves to spot the lost members of their pack with ease. There is a myth that says wolves howl at the full moon.
The truth is, the full moon provides ample light and more favorable conditions for hunting as compared to a night. Wolves are nocturnal hunters. The significance of howling on full moon nights may just be a celebration of ample hunt.
As your Husky grows older, they retain their instinctive tendencies to howl. Huskies consider your family as their pack. Howling may be their way of establishing communication with you. Your Husky probably doesn’t have to hunt for food in your house. So the howling could be a way of catching your attention. When their need for attention is fulfilled, the howling may stop.
Howling may be a sign of happiness
Howling is the means of emotional expression for Huskies. This energetic breed may sometimes choose to express happiness by howling. This may be apparent when they meet an old friend after a long time. A joyous body language would explain this howling to you.
Huskies typically start howling around six to seven months of age
Young Huskies cannot howl properly. They make a hooting noise but that is quite different from a howl. Huskies start making attempts at howling around three to four months of age. Typically, Huskies start howling properly around six to seven months of age. Note that some Huskies might not indulge in this behavior even when they are eight months old.
All Huskies don’t howl. In case your little Husky puppy resorts to howling, you should be worried. Huskies howl when they want to be heard at long distances. A little Husky would only resort to howling if they are very uncomfortable or anxious. Howling in puppies is generally an alarm for help.
The presence of other Huskies also influences the age at which your Husky would start howling. A Husky puppy growing up in a pack is expected to howl much earlier and more frequently. The Husky puppies that grow up amongst dogs of other breeds are less likely to develop this habit. This is because the other dogs wouldn’t respond in the way other Huskies would. Although, if your Husky ends up becoming the alpha dog, all the other dogs may also start howling.
This also lies true for Huskies that spend a lot of time outside. The outside environment directs them to follow their natural course.
It is not normal for Huskies to howl too much
Huskies will howl for numerous reasons. But too much howling is not justified by normal explanations. It could be a sign of sickness, loneliness, and anxiety. Huskies would express their discomfort by howling and try to seek attention. Behavioral problems could also be the reason behind too much howling.
Behavioral problems in Huskies can be corrected by prolonging their exercise time. Huskies are very energetic and a lack of sufficient physical activity may make them bored. Another means is to reinforce their ‘stop’ commands.
Know how to stop your Husky from howling
To stop your Husky from howling, you first need to figure out the reason why they are howling in the first place. Studying the overall body language of your Husky will help you define a reason. Proper exercise and training should solve the behavioral issues that lead to howling.
But if your Husky doesn’t howl excessively, you should let them be.
Conclusion
Howling is a means of communication. Your work is to figure out the reason behind these loud messages sent by your dog. Mild levels of howling shouldn’t be discouraged because it is only intrinsic to their nature as direct descendants of wolves. Excessive howling can be controlled by indulging them in proper physical exercise or by reinforcing their commands. The body language of Huskies is another communication mechanism through which they explain their howls. You must pay attention to their behavior and respond to their needs.