Why does my alaskan malamute howl

Not all canine species used all 21 types, but the domestic dog is known to use many of them. This seems to be because barking would be dangerous for the pack, giving predators or competing packs too much information. This also explains why they seem to be cautious about howling. They have been noted to howl less frequently in the spring and early summer when they have vulnerable pups to care for. They seem to howl for many of the same reasons that wolves do.

But unlike wolves, most dogs have evolved to bark more than howl to signal to each other and to humans. This means that one day, we might be able to interpret dog howling. The best way to stop your dog from howling is first to determine why he's doing it. Here are some tips on how to figure that out:. You should make a vet appointment as soon as you can. Your dog may be in pain. The best cures for both are exercise and mental stimulation. If he's not getting enough of either of these, your dog will make his own entertainment.

This may come out as destructive behaviors, such as chewing or digging. You may see compulsive behaviors, such as tail chasing or paw licking. Or he may howl or bark excessively. And most importantly, see that he gets plenty of exercise.

Consider getting up a little earlier in the morning to give your dog a minute walk before you leave the house. Or hire a neighborhood teen to walk your dog before school or during the day. Another minute walk before bed would also make a significant difference to your dog.

Is your dog always within two or three feet of you? Does he follow you even to the bathroom? If so, then you may be dealing with separation anxiety. For severe cases of separation anxiety, you may want to consider talking to your vet about medication for your dog.

But before he will understand what quiet means, you will need to teach him speak. Use an object that gets your dog to bark or howl a favorite toy, maybe?

Ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door may also work. As soon as your dog barks or howls, reward him. Repeat this until your dog is barking or howling on command. Then, add the quiet command.

Then ask him to be quiet. When he is quiet, even for a second or two, quickly reward him. Be very careful to time rewards just right.

Gradually increase the duration that he must be quiet before he gets the treat. When he is doing well with being quiet on command, work up to using the command when there are distractions, such as a loud television or a house full of people.

Gradually ask him to be quiet from positions farther and farther away from you. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog. Some say that anti-bark collars will stop howling. These collars fit snugly. When the dog moves his throat to make a sound, it causes a little compartment on the collar to open, emitting a scent that dogs find unpleasant usually citronella.

So, why do dogs howl? Researchers believe that dog howling is bound up in dog genetics. The ancient dog breeds are recognized for how closely their DNA matches that of the wolves from which they descended. A lingering vestige of wolf times and pack activity? In the wild, wolves and feral dogs howl to bring scouts back to the pack after a hunt. Dogs who remain behind howl to provide the location of their base.

Dog howling acts as a vocal homing beacon or a kind of auditory lighthouse that guides other pack members back. Dogs howl to beckon their loved ones back home. Howling signals to other dogs that the area they are entering has been claimed and occupied. It is a warning to outsiders that encroachment risks the threat of violence. Howling dogs announce their presence and alert their community to changing circumstances. In this context, dog howling functions as a defense mechanism, warding off potential predators and ensuring the safety of the dogs in the pack.

In a domestic setting, some dogs bark, others howl when a stranger comes to the door or a new car pulls up in the driveway. A howling dog may simply want attention. Some dog owners know that dogs can be as emotionally manipulative as any human. The sound of a dog howling attracts the attention of his owner.

Go through this routine enough times and the dog will learn that howling is an effective way to bring you running. Of course, there are two sides to this coin. If your dog knows that you leave for extended periods of time, he may howl as an expression of separation anxiety. Imagine if someone put you in a crate all day or left you in some other space for an extended period of time. Dog howling can be a response to environmental triggers.

Common provocations include ambulance, police or fire-engine sirens. The sound of these noises were the only times that my dog ever howled. The distant sound of approaching sirens always prompted her to sit up and join in the wailing. The reason remains uncertain, since she never howled at the sound of other dogs howling. Perhaps the pitch of sirens awoke some otherwise-dormant genetic memory. Much of our research confirms that dog howling occurs when certain sounds are perceived.

The prompts and triggers can be anything: music on a stereo at a party, popular television theme songs, or the sound of musical instruments. People who enjoy dogs howling even seem to encourage their dogs by howling themselves! He actually uses a rudimentary sentence structure. He has a huge "woo" vocabulary Homer used to "sing" Happy Birthday - he actually thought he was sining words and would always join in - but only to the Happy Birthday song.

Also, we've had some mals use the same signature "phrase" all the time in many different situations. For example Mula will say "Woo woo, woo woo, wooooo" when she is happy, is greeting you, and sometimes I have no idea what she's trying to convey but she knows exactly what she's saying. No one else uses this phrase - it's hers alone. If you ask her what she wants she'll just repeat "Woo woo woo woo wooooo" as if you must understand completely!

At other times she will take this to another level and will change the tone and inflection in response to your questions - so they clearly think they are telling you something specific. This can either be quite fun egging them on or quite frustrating when they want something and you can't figure out what it is or need quiet because you're on the telephone which is always when they decide to talk the most!

Malamute sounds are quite complex and use a large range of inflection, tone, volume, facial expressions and body language to add meaning to the sound. While some breeds bark just to bark, a malamute makes noise to communicate his frustration, happiness, anger, and other emotions and needs.

This is not a dog that ONLY barks to go outside or to throw the ball. Sure, they have sounds for those activities and if you know your dog well, you'll soon learn to recognize them , but if you listen closely the intensity can change meaning throw the ball farther, or I need to go outside NOW. Malamute is a language just as complex as our own.

Fortunately, Malamutes are quite adept at understanding us even if we are not so adept at understanding them. Dogs are masters of communication - particularly since they use smell, body language and facial expressions to enhance the meaning of sounds, or in lieu of sound.

They are experts at reading us, and are far better at it than we are at reading them. If your average dog is a master of communication - that must mean your malamute is a communication genius!

Don't worry, if you don't get it the first time, most mals are more than happy to repeat their brilliant ideas or complaints until you get it! Your malamute wants to communicate with you - and while some dogs communicate with a wagging tail However, the vast majority of malamutes realize we are a vocal species and so are they - maybe that's why they make such great soul mates?

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Game with 4 cones and various indentations and drawers to hide treats in. Training booklet included for tips and tricks. The dog has to move the cones and sliders in turn to get the treats.