If you’ve ever seen your golden retriever howl, you might wonder if golden retrievers actually howl or if your canine companion is unique.
Golden retrievers might howl due to a hereditary trait passed down from their ancestors, along with several other reasons including communication, attention-seeking, responding to sounds, experiencing boredom or lack of stimulation, feeling anxiety, or suffering from pain.
This article will help you find out all about howling in golden retrievers!
Table of Contents
Do Golden Retrievers Howl A Lot?
Golden retrievers are not known for howling excessively compared to other breeds such as beagles or huskies.
However, individual personality and environmental factors can influence a dog’s behavior, including howling.
Some golden retrievers may howl more frequently than others who may hardly howl.
They are friendly dogs, more likely to bark, whine, or vocalize in other ways to communicate with their owners instead of howling.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Bark So Much?
However, their howling can be influenced by many factors such as genetics, personality, environment, and even the social interactions they have experienced.
Sometimes, howling can also become a learned behavior if they witness other dogs or animals engaging in howling.
Why Do Golden Retrievers Howl?
Although it is not common for golden retrievers to howl compared to breeds like huskies or beagles, who are known for frequent howling, here are some possible reasons why a golden retriever might howl.
1. Communication
Howling can be a form of communication for dogs.
They may howl to express loneliness, anxiety, or to communicate with other dogs or animals in the area.
2. Attention-Seeking
Goldens crave attention from their owners.
If they feel neglected or ignored, they may resort to howling to get your attention or to express a desire for interaction or playtime.
3. Response to Sounds
Sometimes, external noises such as sirens, other dogs howling, or certain high-pitched sounds can trigger a dog, including golden retrievers, to howl in response.
Golden retrievers possess hearing abilities that far exceed our own, enabling them to detect these sounds more acutely and exhibit greater sensitivity to them.
Howling acknowledges that they hear the sound and indicates their readiness to respond or desire to participate in the action.
They will start howling when the noise begins and cease howling shortly after it has ended.
4. Boredom or Lack of Stimulation
Golden retrievers who are bored or not getting enough mental and physical stimulation may resort to howling as a way to alleviate their boredom or frustration.
So they pass the time when they are bored by howling.
In this way, they express to you their boredom and let you know that they need something to do.
5. Pain or Distress
Like we cry when in pain, golden retrievers communicate their pain from illness or injury by howling.
Owners should pay attention to any changes in their behavior, including sudden or persistent howling, especially if it’s out of character.
Consulting with your vet can help rule out any underlying medical issues causing pain or discomfort.
6. Ancestry and Hunting Background
In earlier times, hunters primarily used golden retrievers as hunting dogs.
They excelled in retrieving, effortlessly capturing, and returning prey to their hunters.
Similar to wolves, who howl to reunite with their pack, golden retrievers, due to their history as hunting dogs, would howl to locate their hunters or be found by them.
This behavior is a hereditary trait passed down from their ancestors and is in common with wolves.
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers Hunt?
7. Stress or Anxiety
You might observe that when your golden retriever feels anxious or stressed, they may start to howl.
One of the primary causes of golden retrievers’ howling is separation anxiety.
This condition can lead to a dog becoming agitated and expressing fear, loneliness, or distress through howling.
RECOMMENDED READING: Anxiety in Golden Retrievers: Symptoms, Causes, & Solutions
Golden retrievers are generally social animals, so if they don’t receive sufficient attention or interaction with other dogs and people, they may feel lonely and insecure.
This could then contribute to stress-induced behaviors such as howling.
Howling serves as a way for them to release pent-up frustration and stress.
Do Golden Retrievers Howl At Night?
A golden retriever might howl at night. Here are a few reasons why a golden retriever might howl at night.
1. Loneliness or Anxiety
If a golden retriever is left alone at night or feels anxious due to separation from their family members, they may vocalize, including howling, to express their emotions.
This is one of the most common reasons for howling at night.
This type of howling is frequently seen in puppies, especially if they are spending their first few nights alone.
RELATED: When Can Golden Retriever Puppies Leave Their Mother?
2. Health Issues
Dogs can howl as a response to pain or discomfort due to certain medical conditions like gastrointestinal problems or especially those that worsen at night like arthritis.
3. Environmental Stimuli
External noises such as sirens, wildlife sounds, or other dogs barking in the neighborhood can trigger howling in dogs, including golden retrievers, especially if they are sensitive to such stimuli.
Or they likely sensed an unfamiliar presence nearby and howled to draw your attention and alert you.
4. Urination
Dogs may howl when they need to urinate as a way of communicating their need to their owners.
This behavior can be seen as a form of vocalization to get attention and signal their urge to relieve themselves.
Therefore, if a dog starts howling, especially if it’s out of the ordinary for their usual behavior, it could be a signal that they need to go outside for a bathroom break.
5. Lack of Stimulation
Golden retrievers who do not get enough mental and physical exercise during the day may become restless at night, leading to behaviors like howling out of boredom or pent-up energy.
6. Dietary Issues
Dogs may also howl due to dietary issues.
It’s a way to communicate their hunger and need for food if they are not receiving adequate food.
RELATED: Why Is My Golden Retriever Always Hungry?
7. Communication
Sometimes, dogs may howl to communicate with other dogs in the area, especially if they sense other canines nearby or if they are trying to establish territory.
Do Golden Retrievers Howl In The Morning?
Golden retrievers, like many dogs, may exhibit vocalization behaviors in the morning, including howling, although it is not typically a breed characteristic for them to howl excessively.
As golden retriever puppies can’t talk verbally to communicate their needs, their howling is one of the most common noises that will wake you up.
During the growth phase, dogs experience increased hunger, especially after a long night without food.
This can cause them to howl early in the morning as a way of expressing their hunger and desire for food.
External factors such as noises from outside, wildlife sounds, or other pets in the household may trigger vocalization in dogs, including howling, particularly in the morning when the environment is awakening.
RELATED: Do Golden Retrievers And Huskies Get Along?
Wolf-type howling is where dogs vocalize and communicate with each other.
With the absence of noise, early mornings are quieter. Therefore, it’s easier to hear other dogs and communicate with them.
When you leave for work each morning, your golden retriever may experience separation anxiety which can cause howling.
Why Do Golden Retrievers Howl At Sirens?
Golden retrievers, like many other dog breeds, may howl in response to sirens for several reasons.
1. Your Dog May Be Afraid
Sirens are loud and unpredictable. This sudden noise can make your dog scared, causing them to howl in response.
Though there are other signs which indicate your dog is frightened like widening their eyes, flatting their ears, and curling up their tail.
2. An Expression of Anxiety or Discomfort
Sirens emit sounds at frequencies that are within a range dogs can hear.
This high-pitched and unfamiliar sound can be stimulating or discomforting for some dogs especially those with noise sensitivity or underlying anxiety issues.
Howling can be a natural response to such auditory stimuli, serving as a coping mechanism for them.
It allows them to release pent-up tension and express their discomfort in response to the perceived threat.
3. Your Dog Might Be Alerting You to the Noise
Your golden retriever may interpret the siren sound as a threat that you need to be aware of.
Being loyal and faithful companions, they will warn you and other family members of potential danger nearby, by howling.
4. Communicating With Other Dogs
Dogs are pack animals by nature and the high-pitched tone of a siren sounds in the distance seem to your dog a lot like another dog howling.
They may therefore start howling back to communicate and start a conversation with them, especially in the wild or when separated from the pack.
5. Instinctual Response
Dogs, including golden retrievers, have ancestral instincts that are triggered by certain sounds, including loud and high-pitched ones like sirens.
These sounds can resemble howling or distress calls of other animals, prompting your dog to join and also howl.
6. Howling Might Be Fun
Some dogs howl because it seems fun to them and something they enjoy doing.
So, given the opportunity, many dogs will enjoy howling, this happens even more if you join in.
7. Your Dog Could Be Chasing Off the Siren
As your protector, your golden retriever will not simply stand by and allow a siren to harm you.
Sirens like that of emergency vehicles fade away as they pass.
Your dog maythink that their howl is what made the sound go away, thus reinforcing the behavior.
Therefore, they start howling to chase the sound away.
8. Social Learning
Dogs can also learn to associate certain sounds with actions or behaviors.
If a golden retriever hears sirens regularly and observes other dogs or animals howling in response, they may learn to mimic this behavior through social learning.
What Are The Different Types Of Howling Sounds?
Golden retrievers can produce a variety of howling sounds, each with its meaning or purpose.
Here are some different types of howling sounds that dogs may make.
1. Hunting Howl
This type of howl is often long, sustained, and can be deep and melodious, with a rhythmic pattern.
Dogs may use this type of howl to communicate over long distances or to coordinate with other pack members during a hunt.
2. Alert Howl
This type of howl is typically short and sharp, with quick intervals between vocalizations.
Dogs may use this howl in response to unfamiliar noises, intruders, or perceived threats to alert others of potential threats or dangers in their environment.
3. Lonely or Separation Howl
Dogs may emit a mournful howl when they feel lonely, anxious, or separated from their owners or pack members.
This type of howl is often characterized by high-pitched tones and may include whining or whimpering sounds.
4. Attention-Seeking Howl
Golden retrievers may engage in attention-seeking howling as a way to communicate their needs and desires to their owners.
This behavior can occur when they seek attention, companionship, playtime, or have specific needs like going outside or receiving affection.
RELATED: How Do Golden Retrievers Show Affection?
It may be accompanied by other attention-seeking behaviors such as pawing at humans or nudging objects.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Paw at You?
5. Social Howl
Dogs, especially those in social groups or packs, may engage in group howling as a form of social bonding and communication.
This type of howl is often synchronized among multiple dogs, with each dog contributing to the collective vocalization.
6. Pain or Distress Howl
When dogs experience pain, discomfort, or distress due to injury, illness, or emotional reasons, they may emit howling sounds indicative of their distress.
These howls can vary in intensity and may include whimpers or cries along with the howling.
7. Playful Howl
During playtime or when experiencing excitement, dogs may produce playful howling sounds.
Playful howling is typically energetic and can vary in pitch and intensity.
These howls are usually accompanied by other playful behaviors such as barking, running, or jumping.
Should You Worry About Your Golden Retriever Howling?
You should generally not worry about your golden retriever howling, especially in response to triggers such as a siren or a loud noise.
However, if your dog is howling excessively, persistently, or at inappropriate times without apparent reason, it may indicate an underlying issue that needs attention.
What Can You Do To Help Your Golden Retriever Stop Howling?
If your golden retriever’s howling becomes excessive or problematic, there are several steps you can take to help manage and reduce this behavior.
1. Identify Triggers
Determine what triggers your golden retriever’s howling behavior.
It could be specific sounds, certain times of day, loneliness, separation anxiety, or other environmental factors.
2. Address Underlying Issues
Rule out any medical issues or discomfort that may be causing your golden retriever to howl excessively.
Consult with a vet to ensure your dog is healthy and to address any pain, anxiety, or medical conditions.
3. Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation
Provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day to keep your dog engaged and satisfied.
Engage in interactive games, obedience training, puzzle toys, and regular walks to keep them mentally and physically active.
4. Establish a Routine
Dogs thrive on routines, so create a consistent daily schedule for feeding, exercise, playtime, and rest.
Predictability can help reduce anxiety and stress, leading to calmer behavior and less howling.
5. Create a Calm and Secure Environment
Create a calm and secure environment for your dog, especially during times when sirens are likely to be heard.
Use calming aids such as pheromone diffusers or comforting scents.
Provide a safe space like a crate or designated area where your dog can retreat when feeling anxious.
RECOMMENDED READING: How to Crate Train a Golden Retriever? (Step-by-Step Guide)
6. Use Positive Reinforcement Techniques
Use positive reinforcement techniques to reward desired behaviors and discourage howling.
When your dog remains quiet in situations that would typically trigger howling, praise and reward them with treats or toys.
7. Desensitization and Counterconditioning
Gradually expose your golden retriever to the triggers of their howling in a controlled manner.
Pair the triggers with positive experiences such as treats, play, or attention to change their association with the trigger from negative to positive.
8. Seek Professional Help
Consider consulting with a certified dog trainer, behaviorist, or veterinarian specializing in behavior if your dog’s howling becomes problematic or persistent.
Conclusion
Golden retrievers are not known for excessive howling compared to some other breeds, but they can still engage in howling behavior for various reasons like ancestral traits, communication, response to sounds, attention-seeking, or emotional expression.
Therefore, you should generally not worry about your golden retriever howling, especially in response to triggers such as sirens or loud noises.
However, if your dog is howling excessively, persistently, or at inappropriate times without apparent reason, consider consulting with a certified dog trainer, behaviorist, or veterinarian specializing in behavior.
If you’re interested in exploring other behaviors of your golden retriever, check out these articles next:
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Why Do Golden Retrievers Grunt?
Do Golden Retrievers Chew A Lot?
Unveiling Golden Retriever Quirks: 45 Behavior Facts
Do Golden Retrievers Hold Grudges?
Do Golden Retrievers Like to Sleep With Their Owners?
Do Golden Retrievers Attack Humans? Insights from Real Events
Do Golden Retrievers Like to Cuddle?
Do Golden Retrievers Jump Fences?