A couple of months ago, I was woken up by a long and low howl. It was my German Shepherd Gunther, and it was the first time I’d heard him howl like that. The next morning, I couldn’t help but wonder: why do German Shepherds howl? I hopped online and did some research to help you out!
So, why do German Shepherds howl? German Shepherds howl because of environmental triggers (such as sirens), emotional triggers, physical changes, or simply because it’s in their DNA.
It’s up to you as the owner to realize when this howling is problematic, as then it’s usually a response to various types of distress (both internal and external). German Shepherd barking (to the point of howling) can be completely natural and no cause for alarm, but before you decide that, you’ve got to rule out any negative reasons as to why there’s howling in the first place.
An In-Depth Look: Why Do German Shepherds Howl?
As stated before, German Shepherds (and all dogs for that matter) howl for a variety of reasons!
Some of these reasons are normal- such as loud, startling noises- and some of them are reflective of behavioural issues or emotional distress.
Gunther’s howl felt a bit worrying to me, so I had to find out for myself why it could possibly be happening and what I could do to help.
Below are some of the common reasons why German Shepherds howl (and what it means).
Reason #1: It’s In Their DNA
Right off the bat, you can rest easy knowing that your German Shepherd may be howling because it’s a hereditary trait shared with wolves.
These dogs have a strong pack mentality, and howling is a leftover behaviour from their days of roaming the wilderness with their wolf pack.
Wolves would often howl to communicate with other packs or to prevent intruders from encroaching on their territory
Similarly, your German Shepherd may feel the need to communicate with other dogs and animals.
Reason #2: Emotional Triggers
German Shepherds are like you and me- emotional creatures. And just like humans can sigh, moan, and cry when they’re emotionally triggered, so can German Shepherds.
Boredom, frustration, loneliness, separation anxiety, fear, and even hunger can all cause a German Shepherd to howl.
Boredom, loneliness and separation anxiety are probably the most common (and solvable) reasons why German Shepherds howl.
As German Shepherds are naturally athletic beasts, not walking them enough or keeping them active could make them bored and restless – thus, the howl is a response to that.
Separation anxiety occurs because these dogs are incredibly loyal companions who become strongly attached to their owners.
Leaving German Shepherds alone at home (with little to entertain them) can result in distressed howling quite often. And yes, dog toys can help, but only so much.
Similarly, a lonely German Shepherd- whether in a yard outside by itself or not getting enough attention at home- will howl for attention.
Reason #3: Physical Changes
German Shepherd howling can be indicative of physical pain or stress, as your German Shepherd will make it clear by vocalizing this.
If the howling persists, and other behavioral changes are noted (lack of appetite, lack of energy) contact your vet immediately.
Reason #4: Environmental Triggers
Possibly the most easy-to-spot reason on the list would be environmental triggers!
We’ve all seen it before: cyclists, loud cars, severe weather, sirens, parades, music, other dogs- they’ve all received a reaction from a nearby dog!
Your German Shepherd is no different, and they may just be howling because the firetruck just drove by your house.
They’re particularly attuned to high-pitched sounds due to their wolfy DNA and may be responding more to sirens than your average dog!
Should You be Worried about Your German Shepherd’s Howling?
Howling can be perfectly natural and harmless, but it can also be excessive, disruptive, or an indicator of something more serious.
Here are two common reasons when howling becomes worrisome:
Howling Due to Pain or Illness
If your German Shepherd is howling due to pain or illness, there are other symptoms that accompany that. Rapid, short breathing, lack of appetite and energy, sensitivity to touch, and a reluctance to move or walk combined with excessive howling is a sign that something’s not right.
When You’ve Ruled Everything Else Out
If your German Shepherd is howling excessively and you’ve ruled out possibilities of:
- Medical reasons
- Loneliness
- Separation anxiety
- Lack of exercise
…then there may be other emotional reasons (fear or phobias, for example) as to why your dog is upset or being vocal.
There are specific Desensitization and Counterconditioning techniques that are incredibly useful to learn, and of course, professionals you can call. A Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) can both be helpful.
How To Stop German Shepherd Howling
If you don’t need to be worried, but the howling still isn’t going away, there are ways to stop a German Shepherd from howling:
Training and Techniques
Your German Shepherd is an incredibly intelligent and easily trainable dog!
Take advantage of this by teaching it certain instructions when it comes to “quiet” and “speak”.
One thing I’ve found handy is rewarding my dog for being silent. For example, one neat method I’ve learned goes something like this:
- Command your dog to speak, either by saying it or rapping on the wall or floor.
- Once it does, praise the dog but don’t give them any treats yet- instead, wait until they’re completely silent for two seconds or so, and then reward them with a treat.
- Continue to stretch out the length of time your German Shepherd needs to be silent before receiving the treat. So, two seconds turns into four, six, eight, ten, twenty, and so on.
- Your dog will associate silence with treats, and be that much quicker to stop howling in many situations!
All You Need Is Love
It can’t be stated enough:
Your German Shepherd is prone to feeling lonely and it’s a dog that craves attention.
This is a high maintenance pet with a huge payoff: the amount of love and loyalty they give back.
I mention this again because so often owners don’t realize how little they praise or attend to their dogs unless they’re loud or disruptive in some way – so take the time to lavish your dog with attention, love, and lots of fun activities as much as you possibly can!
Professional Help
Professional help can be a great resource for helping you curb excessive howling when all else fails. Your local CAAB or CPDT can be instrumental in helping you understand your dog.
And vice versa!
Needless to say, Gunther wasn’t sick (thankfully!). However, he does need even more TLC than I originally thought.
I’ve since started playing with Gunther in my down-time a lot more frequently, and he hasn’t howled like that since!
Though I can’t promise the occasional siren doesn’t drive by the house…
Related Questions
Yes. All dogs are related to the wolf, the genus Canis, and as such, they all exhibit wolf-like behaviors. Of course, certain dogs are more prone to it than others. Dogs like the American Eskimo, Husky, Bloodhound, Beagle, Dachshund, and Foxhound are all traditional hunting dogs and are thus more likely to howl.
Your GSD thinks you’re trying to communicate with it, and so it’s communicating back! This, again, dates back to it’s wolf-pack days. If you howl often, it may even see it as a bonding activity and enjoy doing it with you.
