How to Break a Dog's Howling Habit

Dogs howl as a form of verbal communication, a behavior that is part of the dog's wolf ancestry, which was originally used as a form of long-distance communication between members of the pack. Your dog may howl to get attention, communicate with you or in response to a high-pitched noise that disturbs it. Unfortunately, some dogs howl excessively because they desire attention constantly or suffer from separation anxiety. Train your dog not to howl so you and your neighbors do not have to listen to your dog's loud calls.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog treats
  • Dog toys
  • Treat balls
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ignore your dog's howling. Dogs sometimes seek attention from you -- even if it is negative attention, such as a verbal admonishment. When your dog is quiet for even a few seconds, give it attention and praise. By depriving the dog of the desired outcome, it teaches it not to howl, but rather to stay quiet to get what it wants.

    • 2

      Treat your dog randomly when it stays quiet for extended periods of time and verbally praise it during these times. If the dog begins to howl when giving it attention, ignore it until the howling ceases for at least five seconds before you pay attention to it again.

    • 3

      Teach the dog to speak and stay quiet on command. Say "speak" and trigger your dog to bark or howl by knocking on a door or wall. After the dog begins to howl, say "quiet" and wait for the dog to cease its howling. Verbally praise the dog and immediately give it a treat. Practice this exercise daily, extending the time the dog must stay quiet before receiving praise and a treat.

    • 4

      Provide your dog with toys to play with so it does not get bored during the day or at night and howl for your attention. Treat balls provide a good way to keep the dog occupied for longer spans of time and provide a way to feed it. You can fill these round dog toys with food that your dog must get out through a small hole in the toy. These toys also reduce separation anxiety-induced howling.

    • 5

      Leave your house or go into another room. If your dog begins to howl, wait until the howling ceases for a few seconds and then come in and acknowledge your dog with a treat. Continue this exercise, requiring that the dog stay quiet for longer periods of time before you come back and treat it. This helps to stop it from howling while you are away.

    • 6

      Desensitize the dog to outdoor sounds that trigger its howling by throwing the dog a treat each time the sound occurs. You can even record the sound, if possible, and play it for your dog in short spans, rewarding it with praise and a food reward if it does not howl when listening to the recording.