Why do Rottweilers howl? Have you ever noticed that your Rottie tends to be quite a howler day in and day out? Well, if he is, then you are probably wondering why. Is he unhappy? Is he hurt? Is there something wrong with him, or is he just trying to talk? Since dogs can’t speak for themselves, we’re going to crack the code and give you the low down on why Rottweilers howl.
So, why do Rottweilers howl? Rottweilers howl for a number of different reasons. The good news is that most of the time, he is simply honing in on his ancestry and enjoys being a dog. Other times, he might be just chatting, such as saying ‘Hello’ to their owners. Sometimes it’s something a bit more serious, such as:
- They are struggling with separation anxiety.
- They are trying to communicate something with their owner, such as an intruder.
- They’re simply responding to loud noises.
- Your Rottweiler is feeling bored and needs something to do.
As you can see, there are a variety of reasons why your Rottie might be howling more often than you’d think is ‘normal’. But don’t worry- your Rottweiler’s howling will no longer be a mystery when you’re done reading this. We’re going to discuss why he’s howling and how you can help him to stop.
4 Major Reasons Why Rottweilers Howl (and How to Fix Each)
The first thing you should keep in mind is that dogs are ancestors to wolves, although they have been domesticated. This means that they have a natural instinct to howl. The Rottweiler, in particular, has held onto this certain wolf-like trait.
That being said, sometimes Rottweilers simply howl because it’s their instinct to do so. They’re used to running in packs, and howling was used to communicate with the rest of the pack.
However, this isn’t always the case. There may be other reasons for the Rottie’s howls, including:
1. Separation Anxiety
One of the major reasons why any dog might start to howl excessively is because they are suffering from separation anxiety.
When your dog suffers from separation anxiety, you will notice that the majority of his howling will occur when you or any of your family members are leaving the home.
He may also be showing other signs of separation anxiety, such as frantically pacing back and forth, chewing and digging up the yard, or simply acting out of his normal.
How to Solve the Issue: The fix here is clear- you need to spend more time with your Rottweiler. This is going to be the best way to reduce the levels of separation anxiety in your dog. You should also try to rearrange your schedule to be able to see your Rottie more often, such as coming home on your lunch break to say hello.
Just because your Rottweiler has been deemed as the ‘big and bad dog breed’ that shouldn’t need all this love and affection, doesn’t make it true. Rottweiler’s are actually very loving and have a need for snuggling with their owners, so make sure you are spending time with him and showing him ample amounts of affection.
2. Communication
Sometimes Rottweiler howling is simply a sign of communication. Since they were originally pack dogs, they may have a tendency to howl to alert other dogs of their location. Other times, they could be using their ‘communication skills’ to warn people to stay off their property.
Rottweiler howling can also be used as a signal that they are hurt and trying to communicate with you.
How to Solve: Of course, the communication howl is a little bit harder to hone in on. If your dog only seems to bark here and there, then he’s probably just trying to chat with other doggos or trying to tell strangers walking by to back off. This shouldn’t be the case if your dog is trained. If he’s not, have him trained immediately.
On the other hand, you need to make sure that your dog isn’t hurt or in pain. Take a look at your dog and make sure that he isn’t gimping. Also, try and see if he is having any signs of illness such as diarrhea, vomiting, refusing to eat or drink, or scratching intensely. If you think that your dog is suffering from pain, illness, or infection, take him to the vet immediately.
3. Responding to Noises
Your Rottweiler will respond to loud noises, such as an ambulance, a fire truck, or another dog barking nearby.
Most of the time, these barks shouldn’t be too big of an issue, as large noises from trucks and fireworks won’t happen too often.
How to Solve: If they are only barking once in a while with loud noises, then there isn’t much to be concerned about; let your Rottweiler hone in on his natural response to noisiness. However, if it’s happening too often, then you will need to have your dog professionally trained to stop howling so much every time he hears a noise.
4. Boredom
A Rottweiler is smart and active, a combination that requires a whole lot of time, effort, and attention. And when your dog isn’t getting the stimulation he needs- either mentally or physically- he will resort to howling out of boredom.
You can tell that your Rottie is bored if he’s howling often as well as digging up the yard, chewing on things he isn’t supposed to, or simply acting out in general. After all, he’s got nothing else to do- why wouldn’t he start getting into trouble?
How to Solve: Rottweilers are simply not for first-time dog owners. They require a lot, and if they don’t get what they need, they can become a nuisance, possibly even aggressive. To avoid the disturbance of a bored Rottweiler, you need to make sure that your Rottweiler is getting enough exercise- at least two hours per day.
Also, make sure that your Rottie has a large space to live in, especially if you’re gone for long periods throughout the day. Rottweilers need space to run and roam, and a small area simply won’t do the trick. Keep his area stocked with mind-stimulating toys to keep him occupied and allow him to learn and have fun while you’re gone.
Lastly, spend a lot of time with him.
Rotties love spending time with their owner whether it’s going for a walk around the block or snuggling up on the couch. Being with him in any capacity will keep him calm, happy, and nowhere near bored or struggling with anxiety- a quadruple win.
Related Questions
Some people believe that when a dog howls near a sick person, it means they are going to get worse- it’s a ‘signal’ from the wind god. Of course, this is a personal belief and there haven’t been any studies related to whether or not this is actually true, so stick to your personal beliefs when this situation occurs.
Not always. Sometimes a howl can signal that your dog is sad, especially if they feel alone or scared, and the same is true for your Rottie. Remember they love to cuddle and snuggle and being left alone for long periods of time can result in a sad howl. But not all howls mean your dog is sad.
