Basset Hound sitting on a couch looking into the camera in front of a yellow wall.

Lifestyle

How to stop your dog from howling

Help them communicate better

Team Fetch

April 14, 2021

minute read

Dogs howl to communicate with humans and other animals, in response to high-pitched noises or just simply for attention. It can also be a sign of separation anxiety.

After spending quality time together during quarantine, our dogs may be nervous when we go back to work. Howling is one of the main signs that your dog is suffering from anxiety. Fetch's on-staff veterinarian Dr. Aliya McCullough shares how to help relax your dog and also reduce any complaints from neighbors.

First, it’s important to determine that the howling isn’t a result or injury or illness

Schedule an appointment with your vet to rule out any underlying issues. If your vet establishes that the cause is from separation anxiety, there are a couple of things you can do to distract your dog while you’re away:

Get toys that distract them and use a keyword or cue so your dog can associate a fun activity with you leaving and returning.
Talk to your vet about giving your dog melatonin.
Make sure your dog gets a lot of exercise (at least 30 minutes of playtime) before you leave.
Use dog-walking services to get them out of the house (but make sure they’re comfortable with the walker).
Create a relaxing environment where there are limited doors and windows, as this stimulation could make them more anxious.
Leave an audio book or soothing music on so the house isn’t completely silent.
Practice leaving and coming back by extending the amount of time you’re gone each time.

While you’re helping your pet relax while you’re away, there are some things you shouldn’t do:

Never punish your pet. Yelling, spraying water and shock collars make their anxiety worse. They’re not trying to upset you. Your pet is doing anything they can to get back to you.
Medication alone won’t fix howling. It’s important to reach out to your vet if the quick tips above don’t help.

However, if your vet decides that the howling isn’t because of separation anxiety, there are a couple other explanations:

They could be reacting to high-pitched noises.
Your dog could be trying to get your attention (To avoid it becoming an irritating habit, ignore your dog’s howls and don’t reward them for the behavior — this will encourage them to try a new tactic).

If you try these quick tips and your pet still seems anxious, reach out to your vet to find a veterinary behaviorist (Fetch offers coverage for behavioral therapy) who can help make your pet comfortable.

The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.

Dog

Behavioral

Anxiety

Training

Treatment

Photo by Apostolos Vamvouras on Unsplash

Explore our products

Pet Insurance

Dog Insurance

Cat Insurance

This information is descriptive only. Policy activation periods, risk free cancellation terms, waiting periods, limitations, exclusions to coverage and other terms and conditions vary by state and are subject to change without notice. Please see your policy for full terms and conditions of coverage. If there is any conflict between the policy and this product information, the provisions of the policy shall prevail.

Fetch insurance policies are administered by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC (d/b/a Fetch Pet Insurance, Fetch Pet Insurance Services in New York and British Columbia, Fetch Insurance in Nebraska, Fetch Pet Insurance Services, LLC in Michigan, North Dakota, New Mexico and California) CA license # 0F60627 and underwritten by XL Specialty Insurance Company, a Delaware Corporation, or AXIS Insurance Company, an Illinois Corporation, in the U.S. and AXIS Reinsurance Company (Canadian Branch) in Canada. For more information, visit fetchpet.com. ©️2024 Fetch, Inc.

Discounts and offers are subject to approval and may change at any time. Maximum available discount is 10% and may not be available in all states and is not valid with any other offer. Charitable donations offer not available in AK, HI, ID, IN, KS, ND, NY, RI, SC, or TX, limited to $15 in AL and $10 in MI and UT. For policies purchased in LA or NH, the installment fee is waived for the first payment and applied to all remaining payments.

Most comprehensive and most extensive coverage according to Consumers Advocate, January 2023. Based on a comparison of injury and illness coverage between Fetch and North American pet insurance providers on consumersadvocate.org. Consumers Advocate is a Fetch partner. Best pet insurance according to Consumer Rating, August 2023. Based on a comparison of top pet insurance companies on consumerrating.org. Consumer Rating is a Fetch partner. MarketWatch, NerdWallet, Forbes Advisor and Rover are Fetch partners. Unmatched according to The Dodo, May 2022.

Fetch is a registered trademark owned by Fetch, Inc. Fetch Wellness is insurance coverage added by endorsement to the core injury and illness policy, if purchased. It is not a “Wellness Program” meaning a subscription or reimbursement-based program that is separate from an insurance policy.

Average monthly premiums are based on U.S. annual premiums, using a 12-month average, for the period of 01.01.2022 through 12.31.2022 and all available limit combinations. Exam fees based on average costs. Policies in force and number of pets helped based on Fetch data as of 10.12.2023.

Fetch pays back up to 90% of unexpected vet bills