Howling in crate. How do I stop it?

[Jd414]

He will be 9 months old March 1 and only howls when we leave for work. If he's in the crate when we're home he's fine. I've had complaints from neighbors that he howls during the day.

I guess first I need to understand exactly why dogs howl? What does it mean? Is he howling for us to come back? How can I stop it? Could it be separation anxiety?

Thanks for any input!


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[Anitsisqua]

Goodness. I had the same problems, but mine only howled when I was home...I think...I don't have any neighbors close enough to tell me if he was howling when I was gone.

Do you leave something to occupy him while he's in his crate? Maybe a Kong or something? For me, I just had to put up with it until Gabe eventually stopped. And he STILL will cry/howl on rare occasions. He did this morning, in fact...

I wish I had more encouraging input...

[dpc134]

Does your dog sleep in your bed at night? Does your dog spend all of his time next to you when you are home? It sounds like seperation anxiety.

[Jd414]

I don't leave anything in his crate because of fears he will swallow something harmful. He doesn't sleep in our bed but he is for the most part around us or following us around when we are home.


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[Jd414]

Any other suggestions or opinions on why he's howling?


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[Rachel.E]

I've read that they howl when they are separated from their "pack" to allow their pack members to locate them. So yes, he is howling from separation anxiety. I wouldn't crate him without anything to play with. My dog does the opposite- she's fine in her crate when I'm gone, but howls when I'm there so that I'll let her come out and play.

He also is probably really bored in there without anything to do. Kong toys are really sturdy rubber and are safe to chew on all day. You can stuff it with kibble and peanut butter/cream cheese, or whatever your dog likes, and leave it in there with your dog, its like a fun "puzzle" for them to figure out how to get the food out of the kong, it takes them awhile. They are designed to release a little food right away, to interest the dog, and then release the rest slowly to force the dog to work on it for awhile to get the food out.

[Jd414]

Originally Posted by Rachel.E

I've read that they howl when they are separated from their "pack" to allow their pack members to locate them. So yes, he is howling from separation anxiety. I wouldn't crate him without anything to play with. My dog does the opposite- she's fine in her crate when I'm gone, but howls when I'm there so that I'll let her come out and play.

He also is probably really bored in there without anything to do. Kong toys are really sturdy rubber and are safe to chew on all day. You can stuff it with kibble and peanut butter/cream cheese, or whatever your dog likes, and leave it in there with your dog, its like a fun "puzzle" for them to figure out how to get the food out of the kong, it takes them awhile. They are designed to release a little food right away, to interest the dog, and then release the rest slowly to force the dog to work on it for awhile to get the food out.

Ill try the kong and maybe a bully stick and see if that keeps him occupied


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[llombardo]

Ear Plugs..heavy duty ear plugs

[dpc134]

I would recommend that you put her in her crate throughout the day, even when you are home to have her get used to being away from you. Maybe put her in her crate every 2 or 3 hours for 1 hour.
Also, never let her out of her crate when she is howling or crying, that will train her to believe that howling will mean that she gets out.
When my puppy was brought home for the first week, she cryed and howled for the first few days, but I never let her out until she stopped. She is now 13 weeks old and I never hear her howl or cry when in her crate. I also put her in her crate throughout the day even when I am home to train her that it is ok to be by herself in the crate. It seemed to work for me.
I keep toys in the crate, but I only give her treats (bully sticks) when she is outside her crate. I dont want her to "expect" to have a bully stick when she is in the crate.
Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Jd414]

Originally Posted by dpc134

I would recommend that you put her in her crate throughout the day, even when you are home to have her get used to being away from you. Maybe put her in her crate every 2 or 3 hours for 1 hour.
Also, never let her out of her crate when she is howling or crying, that will train her to believe that howling will mean that she gets out.
When my puppy was brought home for the first week, she cryed and howled for the first few days, but I never let her out until she stopped. She is now 13 weeks old and I never hear her howl or cry when in her crate. I also put her in her crate throughout the day even when I am home to train her that it is ok to be by herself in the crate. It seemed to work for me.
I keep toys in the crate, but I only give her treats (bully sticks) when she is outside her crate. I dont want her to "expect" to have a bully stick when she is in the crate.
Hope this helps. Good luck!

I do put him in his crate when were home and he doesn't make a sound. Today so far has been ok I have my neighbor my number so he can call if he's howling and he hasn't called so that's good. I gave him a kong with peanut butter in it and put pandora (music) on my iPod to see if that would help.


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