Hi,

Today we've had the neighbours complain about howling..... He's not that bad but what can we do to prevent it? He's not left alone for long, has plenty of food any toys to hand(Paw!) also he has good walks everyday.

Many thanks!

Hi Jason,
I'm sure someone with more experience than me will be along soon to help - it might help if we had a bit more information. Where is he when he is howling? Is it at night, or during the day. When you say he isn't left long, how long is he left for, and is he howling when you leave, or does it start after a while?

Hi

They howl for various reasons - one of mine always howled when a chicken laid an egg - I think it was the tone of the cluck.  Others howl at sirens and one howls when she is left in the car on her own or wants attention ( my monster of a pup ).

If it is external sounds that set him off then a radio might help (tuned to a talk station as the songs might make him worse).

Can you ask your neighbours to help by pinning down a time or sound that sets him off if you don't hear him?.

Leaving a dog with toys rarely helps as they do not tend to play with them unless there is someone there to join in

I used to leave an old jumper of mine for him to sleep on as it had my scent on it it used to calm him down as he was a hell of a screamer at night it did work not saying it works for all:)

Hi jason61c,
Howling is what wolves do in the wild when they are lost or trying to call to the rest of the pack. They use sound as a direction beacon to relocate one another.

You are part of your dogs 'pack' and he is probably trying to guide you back home.  You don't say how old your dog is, or just how long is "Not for Long".  Happygirls suggestion of leaving him a scent object is a good one, and it has worked for me.

I hope that by understanding 'why' he is howling will help you to solve how to prevent him from becomming anxious when you have to leave him.

Best wishes,
:)
Harry C

Exactly what I was thinking Harry C :)  My pack have a howl when my hubbie leaves for work and I'm lazing in bed (ahem). They are blatantly recalling the pack the top dog howling for England and the younger dogs joining in for the chorus. It stops the minute I appear and doesn't occur at all unless they think all humans are AWOL.  The boys have the odd yard howl but thats quite endearing. The recall howl echoes all around the neighbourhood :D  Humans and dogs alike have a group howl now and again in our house, but it's nothing compared to the volume of the recall howl. :D

Hi have 8 year old Dob boy and mine howls when i don't answer the phone within 3 rings and and if i don't get to the doorbell ring and will not stop for abt 5 mins, also howls when left alone in the house for first 5 mins.

Good luck
Lorna

My dals all howl to call me to the phone after 3 rings too! Very awkward if I'm in the bath and then have to pad downstairs to quieten them!