While you might think that all dogs sleep soundly at night, it turns out that there are lots of reasons why dog wakes up howling, and if you don’t know why they’re doing this, you could potentially miss something important.
Do you wake up at night in an instant panic because your pup is howling in sleep? Do you feel like it's an invasion of your privacy? Do you wonder why she always howls at the exact same time every night? Does it seem like she has her own agenda when she howls? If your answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then you're probably dealing with the same problem that most of us do.
In this article, we'll discuss 10 reasons why does my dog wake up howling. We'll also tell you about the most common causes and how to solve the problem.
You may also like to read 10 Reasons Why Does My Dog Kick Me When Lying Down
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What is dog howling?
It is a sound made by a dog that is usually associated with being in distress. This sound can be heard from great distances, which is why it has become such a popular question for owners who have their own dogs. It is a natural and instinctual behavior of a pup and is a part of a dog’s development.
A pup will howl when they are feeling frustrated or stressed out. This is not the same as a cat or human crying, which is a more complex issue.
What is the difference between barking and howling?
To understand the difference we must first understand what the two words mean. According to the Oxford Dictionary, barking means to bark, to make a loud, high-pitched noise whereas, howling means to howl, to make a low-pitched, mournful sound.
Barking is a form of communication that dogs use to alert the presence of danger or threat. It is a form of aggression, but it is not the same as howling, which is usually associated with being in distress.
Why does my dog wake up howling at night?
When your pup wakes up producing a long, doleful cry or wailing sound from her sleep, it’s because she has a reason to do so. The reason why she’s howling can be either physical or emotional, and it can be one or the other or both.
Is she stressed
If you notice that your dog is howling at night in her sleep, then it’s likely that she’s stressed. This is a common occurrence in our modern world and dogs are no different from humans. If they have to deal with too many things at once, it can become stressful for them.
If you’re changing the environment around your dog, you might be causing her stress. You need to be careful about this because you don’t want to be the cause of your dog’s stress.
If you’re a pup owner, you should be aware of this and do what you can to reduce the stress in your dog’s life.
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Is she frightened
She might be doing it because she’s frightened in her sleep. She might be scared of something or someone, and this is causing her to howl. It is important to remember that she’s a dog, and she’s scared of things that you’re not.
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Is she lonely
She might be doing it in her sleep because she’s lonely and needs attention. If your dog is constantly howling in her sleep, you should take a look at her social situation and make sure that she’s not lonely. If she is, then you need to do something about it.
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Is she dreaming
It’s possible that your dog is dreaming and she’s growling because she’s dreaming about a scary situation and trying to wake you up. This can happen if you’re leaving her alone for long periods of time.
Is she sick
It’s possible that your dog is sick and she’s howling because she’s in pain in her sleep. If she’s sick, then you need to take her to the vet as soon as possible.
Is she bored
She might be doing it because she’s bored. She might be feeling a little restless, which is why she’s howling in her sleep.
Separation anxiety phase
Howling is a behavior that is common to all dogs and occurs mostly between the ages of 6 months to 2 years. During this time, a dog is going through a separation anxiety phase. The dog feels that they have been separated from their pack and howls at the top of their lungs to get attention.
You don’t spend enough time with your dog
When you’re not spending enough time with your dog, she may start to feel left out. This feeling of being left out can cause her stress.
You’re not giving her what she needs
As a pet owner, it’s important to give your dogs what they need in order to keep them happy and healthy. You can do this by providing her with an environment that’s safe, stimulating, and allows her to be social.
The weather is changing
Dogs are no different from us. They have different reactions to the weather, and if it’s cold outside, they may start to howl. If it’s hot outside, they might feel uncomfortable. It’s important to pay attention and do what you can to make sure that they’re comfortable.
What should I do if my dog howls?
You should try to figure out why does my dog wake up howling and growling as under:-
Step 1: Observe
What time is it? How long has your dog been awake? Does it act like he’s hungry or thirsty? Is he acting aggressively towards other dogs?
Step 2: Check her health
Does your dog seem healthy? Does it look like he's in pain? If your dog seems healthy, but he's acting aggressive, he may be having some sort of medical issue.
Step 3: Check her environment
Does your dog have any toys or other objects that he likes to play with? Does she have a lot of toys? Does she own a lot of space to roam? Does she have access to any outside areas? Does she have a fence?
Step 4: Check her diet
Does your dog eat enough food? Are there any supplements that she is taking? Does she have any food allergies?
Step 5: Check her exercise
Does your dog get enough exercise? Does she have access to fresh water?
Step 6: Check her sleep
Does your dog sleep well? Does she sleep in her bed? Does she sleep in the house?
Home Remedies For Howling Dog
A howling dog is a common problem in today's world. If you've ever been woken up by barking in the middle of the night, you know how disruptive this can be. What can you do to help your dog stop howling? Here are some things you can do to help why do dogs howl at night:
Have your dog sleep on a soft bed
Dogs need a comfortable place to sleep. If she has a hard time sleeping on a hard surface, you may want to consider getting them a soft bed.
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Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercises
Dogs need to be physically active. If they aren't getting enough exercise, they may resort to howling to express their boredom.
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Don't let your dog get lonely
A bored dog will howl to keep itself occupied. Make sure your pup has a variety of toys and games that they can play with to keep them busy.
Feed your dog a healthy diet
Your doggy needs to eat nutritious food to stay healthy and avoid illness. If your pup is eating junk food, it may be causing them to howl because they're not getting the nutrition they need.
Consider hiring a dog walker
If you have a busy schedule, it may be difficult to take your doggie out for walks. If this is the case, consider hiring a dog walker to take your dog out for walks during the day.
Consider getting a second dog
Dogs can get lonely when they're alone. If your pooch gets lonely, it may resort to howling. If you have another dog, they can keep your dog company.
Conclusion
Dogs are wonderful pets. They can provide companionship and make us happy. If you have a howling puppy, don't worry. It's not a problem that you can't fix. If you're having a problem with why does my dog wake up howling, try the above remedies and let us know in the comments about your experience.
