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Howling or barking when left alone is a common issue amongst dogs, and one that can cause great distress to those around them. While making a ruckus when left to their own devices can be simply down to their genetics and breed, it is more often a sign that they are under-stimulated or stressed.
Getting to know why your dog barks when they are left home alone, and looking for patterns or certain triggers, will help you identify and manage the issue… hopefully leading to some peace and quiet for you and your neighbors!
We are going to take a look at why dogs exhibit this behavior, as well as how to stop a dog from barking when they’re home alone, offering some handy tips and tricks to keep your dog feeling calm and safe while you’re away.
Without further ado, let’s get to it.
There are a number of reasons as to why your dog might be barking or howling when you leave them in the house alone, ranging from simple breeding traits and boredom to more significant signs of distress:
Often a dog will bark or howl because they are bored or under-stimulated. Canines are naturally sociable and often require significant exercise and playtime to keep them occupied, mentally stimulated, and out of mischief.
When a dog is left alone, particularly if they are young or naturally more hyperactive, they may struggle to keep themselves entertained, turning to barking for fun or to try and get someone’s attention. If you have a dog who is easily bored, it may be worth investing in some particularly stimulating toys or puzzles to keep them distracted for longer whilst you’re out of the house.
Believe it or not, some breeds of dog are just naturally more prone to barking behaviors than others are. Genetics can play a huge part in the reason why your dog is fond of howling, and getting some background knowledge on your dog’s breed traits can help you to better understand them.
You may find that smaller dogs, such as terriers, chihuahuas, basset hounds and beagles, tend to be more vocal than their larger canine cousins. Of course this will not be true of every small dog, and maybe you’re even struggling with a particularly vocal larger pooch - knowledge is power, so get to know your pup!
One of the most common reasons why a dog may bark or howl when left alone in the home is because they are frightened. This can be triggered by loud or unfamiliar noises, either nearby or far away, causing your dog to feel the need to defend the home and alert the rest of their pack. Maybe it’s a loud bang outside, or if you share a wall with a neighbor it could be the noise of them clanking about inside.
Puppies and younger dogs may be particularly prone to this as they are new to the experience of being on their own. However, older dogs can also feel scared and anxious when being left alone, and so it is important to identify what lies at the root of this fear.
Another common cause for howling and barking behaviors when your dog is left home alone could be that they are suffering from separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a disorder which causes your dog extreme stress and anxiety at the idea of being left on their own. This can stem from puppyhood, if they have been used to having you constantly around, or from an upsetting or traumatic event that triggered an extreme stress response.
Knowing the root cause of your dog’s separation anxiety can help you better understand their behavior and enable you to offer them the help they need to overcome it.
Separation anxiety can be characterized by an intense fear or anxiety at the idea of being left alone, and whether present from puppyhood or developed over time, this fear can make it very difficult to leave a dog home alone.
This anxiety can be due to several reasons: having little to no experience of being left alone, environmental changes such as a new home, new baby or additional pets, and can also be attributed to a traumatic or upsetting event, such as the death of an owner or fellow pet, or something frightening that happened when they were last left alone.
If you think your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety, there are a few warning signs to look out for in your pup’s behavior:
Barking and howling - Being vocal, whether whining, whimpering or howling the house down, excessive noise can be a telltale sign that your dog is distressed when left alone.
Destructive behavior- Coming home to chewed slippers and pillow stuffing all over the floor is never a sight dog owners want to be met with. But it’s important to note that this destructive behavior can be your dog’s way of telling you that they felt unsettled while you were away.
Anxious urination - Urination, or defecation, from anxiety is very common amongst dogs but not so great for your floors and furniture! This occurs when your dog’s fight or flight response kicks in, making them release any internal waste to lighten the load and make it quicker for them to run away. Very clever instincts, however not ideal within the home!
Pacing- Dogs will often begin to pace if they are anxious, due to a rise in the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone generates a lot of nervous energy and agitation, leading to skittish or anxious behaviors such as pacing.
Panting and salivating - Another sign that your dog may be in distress at the idea of being alone is if they begin to pant or salivate excessively. Panting is how dogs keep themselves cool and get oxygen into their bloodstream, and salivating more than usual or excessive licking has been seen to be a common anxious behavior in dogs.
When it comes to treating separation anxiety in dogs it will depend on the severity of the issue. If your dog only struggles mildly or every so often, then there are a few things you can put in place to help reduce the effects of the anxiety.
Giving your dog lots of exercise or playtime before leaving them for any period of time can help tire them out, making them more likely to sleep while you’re away. You could offer them stimulating toys or puzzles to help keep them entertained or occupied, or perhaps treat trays that take a while to get through and keep them busy and interested.
Pay particular attention to how you say hello and goodbye when leaving your dog. Don’t offer overly emotional or dramatic greetings, as this will confuse your dog and can make them more anxious.
If your dog suffers with anxiety at a more severe level, you may want to consider a behavioral specialist or consulting with your vet for further guidance.
Trying to stop a dog from barking or howling can feel like a challenging and overwhelming task, but there are things you can put in place to discourage this behavior.
To keep your dog from barking while you’re not home why not try:
Tiring a dog out by giving them a good run around or engaging in some stimulating playtime is a good practice to get in the habit of, before leaving your pup on their own. Dogs that are overstimulated or haven’t had a chance to release some energy are more likely to become bored or restless, and therefore turn to barking, whining or destructive behaviors.
We would recommend a good solid walk outside in nature, as this offers lots of external stimulation for the senses - from sights to sounds to smells - and will likely tire your dog out ready for a good old nap. If your dog is in a position to sleep for most of the time you are away, it will keep them in a calmer state and therefore less likely to scream the house down.
Canine calming treats are another way to hit anxiety where it hurts. Whether fast-acting nibbles or chewable sticks that last longer, there are a whole host of calming dog treats on the market, many of which contain naturally soothing ingredients such as chamomile, valerian root or hemp. These usually work best when given a little while before you plan to leave them to allow the calming properties to take effect.
Always consult your vet before giving your dog any calming treats as each pup is different and they may not be suitable.
Canine pheromone plug-ins may also be effective; these dog-safe devices can be used around the home to circulate a calming wave of pheromones to soothe your pup when stress strikes.
Dogs may bark or howl when they feel unsafe or threatened as a way of making themselves seem tougher or to alert their pack. If a dog is particularly sensitive then this response can be triggered by things such as unfamiliar sounds or smells.
There are a few ways you can make your dog feel safe when you have to leave them on their own, including surrounding them with their favorite toys and blankets that contain familiar smells and textures. If you are crating your dog, you may want to consider draping a blanket over the crate so that they feel like they have their own safe space, or section off a room in the house or area where they can hunker down and get cozy.
The same way that human babies can be comforted by white noise, dogs have been shown to respond well to familiar auditory stimuli when left home alone.
White noise and classical music, or even certain tv shows or podcasts where the tone of voice is calm and friendly, have proved effective in keeping a dog calm and comforted whilst on their own.
Low bpm classical music (between 50-60 bpm) in particular helps to reduce stress levels in dogs, so leaving this on quietly in the background can help you come home to a more chilled out pooch. Gentle nature sounds like birds tweeting can also have a calming effect.
We’ve even heard of some people recording their voice and playing the recording for their pooch - but we’ll let you be the judge of that!
If you are particularly concerned about your dog’s mental state when you leave them on their own, you might want to consider hiring a dog walker to check in on your pup when you aren’t there.
Having a dog walker to come and take your pup on adventures can shorten the length of time that they are left on their own for, whilst also giving them some exercise, stimulation and comfort when you can’t be there.
This can also be a good exercise in socialization for your dog, not only meeting other humans and getting comfortable being handled by them, but also to meet other dogs and perhaps realize that those unfamiliar noises or smells that previously made them nervous aren’t so scary after all.
At the end of the day, one of the best ways to stop your dog from engaging in unwanted behaviors when left home alone is to make sure that they feel comfortable in their space. If a dog feels like they can’t get settled it can make them more anxious to be on their own. This can be tackled by ensuring they have their own comfy bed or crate to snuggle in, with appropriate padding and plenty of blankets to keep them warm.
On hotter days make sure your pet is kept in a cool part of the house, perhaps with the curtains or blinds drawn and a fan circulating some cool air.
Always be sure to leave your dog with a good supply of food and water so they have it if they need it, also if you end up being delayed you know they have plenty to keep them going.
Every dog is unique, and therefore will have different reasons for barking or howling when they are home alone. Getting to know your dog, what their temperament is like, what makes them nervous, as well as doing some research into their genetics and breed traits can help you identify the core reasons why they make a racket as soon as you leave them on their own.
Boredom or breed can of course play a part in dogs exhibiting this kind of behavior, however it is important to look at underlying causes that may be contributing to barking or howling.
Separation anxiety is very prevalent in a lot of dogs, and if you notice your dog is especially anxious when you leave them alone, not just barking but pacing, drooling or crying, it is always worth consulting with your vet. After ruling out any other health conditions, they may be able to recommend a professional behavioral therapist to help train your dog to be more comfortable being left.
Our dogs’ behavior is always trying to tell us something, we just have to listen and love them as best we can.
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