It is safe to say that Goldendoodles howl for a variety of reasons, and at this point, you might be wondering why your goldendoodle is howling so much. Well, it could be because they’re feeling excited, lonely, or sick.
If it’s a case where your Goldendoodle is responding to certain sounds with howling, behavior-conditioning techniques such as desensitization and counterconditioning may help. Eventually, they will lose interest in the sound and stop whining over time.
Can Goldendoodles Howl?
The short answer is yes, goldendoodles can howl. It is safe to say that almost all dog breeds are capable of howling in certain situations.
However, at this point you might be wondering what is causing your canine friend to howl. Knowing this will allow you to determine any issues your dog is facing and how you can resolve it.
Why Does My Goldendoodle Howl?
Many domesticated dogs exhibit howling, a behavior that dates back to their wild ancestors. Certain breeds such as huskies and malamutes are more prone to howling than others.
Howling is a distinctive vocalization goldendoodles use to communicate with each other and people. Howling may also be triggered by environmental stimuli like sirens from fire trucks or ambulances.
According to Elizabeth Dimit, a dog trainer with Dogtopia in Los Angeles, when your pup howls they are trying to get your attention. They may also howl in warning about someone or something they perceive as dangerous.
Also, according to Dr. Melissa Bain, a veterinary behavior specialist at the University of California-Davis, your dog may howl if they feel bored or lonely.
Wolves in the wild use howls to communicate with other members of their pack and guide a lost or injured wolf home. It also serves as an announcement by lone dogs around them that they are present.
1. They’re Lonely
It might be a case where your Goldendoodle is howling because they are feeling lonely.
When a Goldendoodle is left alone, they may experience loneliness and depression, leading them to howl in an expression unique only to them. This behavior serves as a way for them to alert others that they are feeling isolated.
Lonely dogs may lick or bite at their fur, leading to hair loss and skin damage. This behavior is called lick granulomas, which can become serious skin sores requiring medical assistance.
2. They’re Sick
If your Goldendoodle is excessively howling, it could be indicative of illness or injury. Get them to the vet as soon as possible to identify what’s causing their howling and get them on the path towards recovery.
With that said, it is best to keep in mind that Dogs cannot speak the way we do, so they need to use barking or howling to tell us when they are not actually feeling good.
Let’s not forget that not all dogs howl because they are sick, some dogs actually howl because they are trying to gain your attention or request food, water, toys or affection. To prevent this behavior from escalating further, you need to teach your pup that howling is not an effective means of communication with you.
3. They’re Bored
Some Goldendoodles may howl out of boredom. This may indicate a need for more attention and stimulation, or could indicate separation anxiety or other issues. If it’s a case where you’re not giving your furry friend the attention that they need, they may begin to howl just to alert you.
How to Stop Goldendoodles From Howling?
There are several things you can do to reduce the possibility of your goldendoodles howling due to boredom, loneliness or anxiety.
We think it would be best to leave your dog with mentally stimulating toys to occupy their minds. Some dogs even like to have white noises or left the radio on. Another useful method for howling dogs are some positive reinforcement strategies. We think you should try to ignore the howling as best as possible, for instance, you may want to turn your back on them or simply go to another room.
As soon as your goldendoodles stop howling, you should reward them with lots of praise or even a treat. Allow a few seconds to pass before actually rewarding them so that they can realize that only being quiet brings reward.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different reasons behind a Goldendoodles howling such as feeling lonely, sick or bored. Some people believe that dogs howl before natural disasters, signaling impending death. While this belief is not confirmed, it does appear that dogs possess acute senses and can detect danger before it happens.