Imagine you are having a nice walk with your paw friend outside when suddenly a siren starts to wail nearby... You know what is going to happen, don’t you? Your furry friend's howling, which mimics the siren, will likely continue to ring in your ears long after the siren stops or is out of reach.
Why do dogs get so easily affected by sirens? Is there something in that sound that provokes our furry friends, or are there other possible explanations for that behavior?
Let’s find out!
Instinctive Communication / Mimicking
To explain what instinctive communication means, we need to go back to dogs’ ancestors-wolves. Based on research, dogs, as we know them nowadays, have evolved from gray wolves.
In the wild, wolves howl as a form of communication for several purposes: coordinating group movements, marking territory, and locating pack members. With that being said, when a dog hears a high-pitched sound like that of a siren, it is likely to trigger an instinctive response inherited from their ancestors.
The high-pitched sound of sirens is similar to the frequencies in canine vocalizations. When dogs hear a siren, the sound can mimic the high frequencies of a howl (at a distance), which, in turn, can trigger their innate response to howl in return.
As you may know, due to their acute hearing abilities, dogs are particularly sensitive to high frequencies. Howling at sirens is not just a learned behavior, but it can be tracked to the dog’s genes. It can be perceived as a form of communication but also as a “survival strategy” in the wild.
Attention Seeking
You may wonder what sirens have to do with attention-seeking behavior.
When a siren wails, our paw friends are likely to get agitated or scared. Our natural response as loving dog parents is to try calming them down by hugging them, talking to them gently, and showing our affection.
Once our paw family members learn that howling at sirens will bring a desired outcome, such as our affection, they are likely to repeat this behavior in the future.
For some dogs, howling at a siren can become a learned behavior, that they exhibit when they feel neglected and seek our attention.
It is essential to actively engage in your paw friend’s daily routine, which does not only include feeding and walking them. Ensure your dog is physically and mentally stimulated through play sessions, interactive toys they can play with when you are not at home, exercise, and training.
However, it is also crucial to set healthy boundaries and show your canine what behavior is acceptable and what is not. By reinforcing the wanted behaviors, you will help your doggo develop a clear understanding of your expectations. This, in turn, will help create a strong bond between you two, that relies on mutual respect and understanding.
By regularly reinforcing positive behaviors and gently redirecting or correcting unwanted ones, you will foster a sense of security and trust.
Anxiety & Stress Response
Howling at sirens in response to stress and anxiety is another important factor to consider that may cause this behavior.
Loud, sudden noises can cause stress and fear, especially in more sensitive dogs. The reaction towards sirens is likely to resemble that towards fireworks and thunderstorms- your paw friend may howl and/or hide as a coping mechanism. Additionally, if your paw friend had a negative experience related to loud noises in the past, sirens are likely to trigger that negative memory.
If you are wondering whether your dog’s howl is caused by fear and anxiety, you should look at their body language and identify further signs of stress. These can include pacing, panting, drooling, trembling, or attempts to hide.
By observing your canine’s behavior along with howling, you will get further insight into their emotional state. If your paw companion is howling while displaying other signs of anxiety, it’s likely that the siren is causing stress in them.
How to Address Stress-Induced Howling?
Create a Safe Space
It is important to provide your furry friend with a designated quiet and comfortable area where they can retreat during loud noises. This will be their “safe zone”, where they feel safe. To make their personal space cozy and comforting, you might add your dog’s bed, toys, and familiar items such as clothing with your scent on it.
Desensitization
Begin by exposing your dog to the sound of a siren at a low volume so that it does not trigger a reaction. For example, you can use recordings of sirens that are played at a very low volume.
Gradually increase the volume of the sound as your canine becomes more comfortable. If your dog gets agitated or stressed, reduce the sound immediately.
Positive Reinforcement & Counter-conditioning
Counter-conditioning is used alongside desensitization. It involves changing the dog’s attitude toward the stimuli through the use of rewards. With that being said, you should reward your dog with their favorite treats when they are calm and relaxed in the presence of the stimuli.
It is crucial to not reward your dog if they show signs of anxiety as a way to “bribe” them. This will only cause a negative association between the reward (treats, toys, petting, praises) and the stimuli.
Consistent Practice
Through regular practice with gradual exposure and positive reinforcement, your dog will learn that the sound of a siren is not something to be afraid of, and over time they are likely to stop howling at it.
It is advisable to practice frequently and keep the training sessions short-no longer than 10–15 minutes. Do not overwork your dog and end a session while it is still pleasant and engaging. If you wait for your paw friend to lose interest and get bored, they will start associating the training process with a negative experience.
Impact of the Owner’s Behavior on Their Dog
Sometimes, we tend to overlook the fact that our behavior as owners can have a great impact on our paw friends’ behavior. This is particularly valid for situations that are not typical for our dogs’ daily routine, such as when sirens wail. What should we do?
Calmness
It is important to remain calm and composed, as our furry friends often look to us for cues on how to react to unfamiliar or potentially frightening stimuli. If we keep a relaxed demeanor, when sirens wail, our paw companions are more likely to stay calm as well.
Owners who ignore a blaring siren sound and continue with their activities demonstrate to their canines that there is no threat, which helps dogs remain relaxed.
Of course, if your dog is very sensitive, your relaxed demeanor alone won’t be sufficient to keep them calm.
Reassurance & Comfort
Providing reassurance and comfort can help alleviate our beloved furry friends’ anxiety. However, it is important to avoid excessive pampering or nervous behavior, as these can reinforce fear and worsen the situation.
If you calmly pet your dog and speak in a soothing voice when there are sirens nearby, it can help your paw companion feel secure. In contrast, if you appear worried or concerned, your dog may interpret the sirens as a potential threat.
Routine
By maintaining a consistent routine, you can provide a sense of stability and security for your dog. Having said that, you should try maintaining your usual routine despite the presence of sirens.
Continuing your walk or playtime despite the sound will show your canine that there is no need to be afraid.
Redirecting Attention
Redirecting your dog’s attention from the siren to a more positive or engaging activity can help mitigate anxiety.
For example, you can try engaging your canine in a game or training exercise when sirens wail to distract them and redirect their attention.
Dogs howl at sirens for various reasons that may also involve a combination of inherited behavior and environmental reactions. Understanding the reasons behind our paw friends’ behavior can help us better understand them and effectively manage their responses to their surroundings. In the long term, this helps ensure our paw family members are confident and happy!
