Content
- Are high-pitched sounds uncomfortable for them?
- Why do dogs howl when a siren sounds?
- If our dog howls with sirens, should we do something?
- When does the dog howl mean someone is going to die?
This situation, without a doubt, is well known for those who have a dog or a neighbor dog, although in cities, it is more common to witness that in rural environments, as they have a lower population density.
While it is true that not all dogs react the same way, most of them howl and cry when they hear an ambulance.Why does it happen? In this article by Animal Expert, we will explain why do dogs howl when they hear siren, what to do and other interesting facts to keep in mind. Keep reading!
Are high-pitched sounds uncomfortable for them?
THE dog hearing it is much more developed than the human. Specifically, the dog can perceive sounds of up to 60,000 Hz, while people can only hear sounds that reach 20,000 Hz. It is thanks to this characteristic that dogs are able to perceive sounds that are imperceptible to us.
But why do dogs howl with high-pitched sounds? They often respond to frequencies that we don't perceive, giving feedback to a stimulus that can be uncomfortable for them. That's why some dogs howl with their guns, while others howl when they hear a flute.
However, sometimes dogs howl for a long time without any specific auditory stimulus. In these cases, it is about other kind of situations and even behavioral problems, such as separation anxiety, in which he howls when he is alone at home, because he does not know how to manage his loneliness.
Why do dogs howl when a siren sounds?
In addition to being a high-pitched sound that can sometimes be irritating for some dogs, there are other causes that explain why dogs howl when an ambulance passes by.
Dogs sometimes howl when they hear sirens because the noise reminds them of howls of your companions. It is important to note that the howl itself has several meanings, although the most relevant is the sadness, O social isolation or the fear of being left alone. Learn more about howling dogs at Animal Expert.
Remember that dogs communicate their emotions in different ways, through vocalization and body posture, for example, allowing them to express themselves correctly. This helps us to assess your needs and understand certain behaviors you can do.
Even without any animal in danger, the dog can perceive a request for help, so it gives an answer. Furthermore, dogs also communicate their presence in this way. Some of them in particular or specific crosses have a tendency to howl, like the nordic races: Siberian husky and Alaskan malamute, among others.
If our dog howls with sirens, should we do something?
The dog performs this behavior instinctively, so repress it would be negative, in addition to being difficult to avoid. Our advice is to allow the animal to express itself, but you can also do some extra actions:
- If you are in the street when it happens, ignore the howl and keep walking as if nothing has happened, you must act calmly and without paying attention. This will help your dog understand that nothing bad happens. Conversely, if you carry him in your arms, pay attention to him, or act nervously and incoherently, you are communicating that there are reasons to be alarmed and the behavior may worsen.
- Of course, if your dog is afraid and seeks to hide, you can caress him and give him shelter. Remember that fear is an emotion and is not reinforcing. What you should avoid is reinforcing negative behaviors, such as running, compulsive barking, or breaking things.
- If you are at home, is better distract him before he starts howling. As soon as you notice the ambulance, you can perform a searching fast or offer a long-lasting dog treat. This will keep you from barking, keep you busy, distracted, and reinforce you at the same time by not howling.
In case the dog howls for no apparent reason, we recommend consult a veterinarian. Senile dementia in dogs, for example, can cause fears and insecurities, which cause the dog to howl because he feels alone, for example, in his own home.
When does the dog howl mean someone is going to die?
Some people claim that a dog's howl is related to death. It is true that they are able to perceive death, however when they hear a siren they are not doing it to announce the death, as they can't feel the necromonas from a great distance.
In any case, each situation and each dog is absolutely different, so it is not always easy to answer the question "why does my dog howl when he hears the ambulance"...