As a parent to a Husky, you have surely woken up to their loud-pitched screams or barking at night. They whine and howl to get their way.
Huskies love drama and attention. They have big personalities, and they will never shy away from letting you know how they feel. They are a pretty vocal dog breed.
But why do huskies scream, whine and howl? It sure is their nature, but is it a matter of concern? How do you get these dogs to calm down? Let us dive into the article to understand more.
Where do Huskies Come From?
Loyal, outgoing, playful, mischievous, highly energetic are traits people generally associate with Huskies. They were first brought to Alaska in 1909 for sled-dog races.
The breed gained popularity in 1925, when Huskies were a part of a heroic endeavor that helped bring a lifesaving serum to fight an epidemic in Nome, Alaska.
Huskies originated in Siberia, where they were brought up the Chukchi people. Siberia experiences an extreme climate, with winds blowing at 100 miles per hour, and the temperatures are generally below zero.
Over 20 Huskies formed a team, pulling a sled and navigating through harsh weather searching for food. They helped people survive, and thus these dogs became integral to the lives of the Chukchis. According to Chukchi’s belief, two Huskies are guarding the pearly gates to heaven.
Major Reasons Why Your Husky Screams
If you want to know the meaning behind a Husky’s vocalization, considering the time of the day and their age will be helpful. For example, if your dog whines in the morning, it may want to pee or poop. If the dog has reached old age, constant howling may be a cause of concern.
Let us understand why do huskies scream, whine, howl and cry.
1. That is How they Communicate
If you look at the origin and evolution of Huskies, pulling a sled across the snow is an important part of their journey. The task is performed by 20 to 30 Huskies working together.
There is constant communication going back and forth between the dogs to keep up with the pace. This is how the dog breed has grown over thousands of years. And they are social animals too.
Vocalization comes naturally to this dog breed. However, barking or howling may not necessarily mean the dog wants something from you. So when you bring home a Husky, do not be surprised if they are talkative. That is how they communicate with their human parents and other dogs.
2. Huskies Need Attention – A Lot of It
Huskies show extreme affection and loyalty to their human family. They are very vocal about their feelings and will expect the same level of affection and care from you.
If they are not getting your undivided attention, your husky will start whining or howling. If you cater to their whims when they whine, these intelligent dogs will pick on this behavior.
So in the future, if they want your attention, they will simply start whining. It would be best to be careful, or this could become a habit. It could also land you into trouble with your neighbors.
3. They are Not Getting their Way
Huskies like living in a hierarchy system, in which one of them is the boss. Even puppies will try to assert dominance over you and other puppies from a young age. If left untrained, they will do what they want. If you put them in a time-out any more than 20 to 30 minutes, they will retaliate with screams.
We will see later in the post how you can train and control such behavior.
4. It is Time to Fill the Food Bowl
Your Husky is whining or crying because it is hungry. This is why it is essential to note the timing of your dog’s whining. For example, if your pet buddy usually gets into a sulky mood around the afternoon, it’s possible that he/she is hungry.
Consider this as an indicator that you are keeping your dog awaited too long between meals. If the dog gets to a point where it is howling with hunger, it is best to adjust its eating schedule accordingly.
5. The Husky Needs to Take Care of its Business
If the Husky needs to pee or poop, it will let you know by whining. If you have not let the dog out for an extended period, it might not have the opportunity to take care of its business. This can generally happen in the morning when you are sleeping in, and your Husky is holding its pee.
To avoid screaming in the morning, start developing a routine with your dog. Then, try your best to stick to the routine to avoid putting your pet in any discomfort.
6. A Husky Experiencing Separation Anxiety
A Husky is typically a pack animal. They present close affinity to people and other dogs. They do not like to be left alone. If they are left on their own for long periods, they will display their displeasure by screaming, crying, or howling.
Separation anxiety is a well-known condition among dogs. Unfortunately, the inherent nature of Huskies makes them prone to this condition. However, tips like taking your dog for a walk and saying goodbye before leaving can help.
7. The Husky is Confused
Huskies are energetic, but that does not mean they will be eager to please during training. You will have to break the activity into small steps, introduce repetition and be patient.
If you try to teach your dog everything at once, it will surely be confused. And like you know by now, Huskies will use their vocalizations to let you know the same.
The best way to handle howling during training would be to explain the expected behavior with actions to the dog. Screaming at them will not help; instead, show them. You can reward the Husky with a treat when they successfully complete the task.
8. They Want to Play
Huskies are popular for their high energy levels. They would love to play with you all day long and night. You will have to keep them busy with some kinds of activities. It will help if you give a Husky enough exercise to meet their physical and mental needs. A bored Husky on its own can often turn destructive. Thus, you must consider the time factor before bringing a Husky home.
9. The Husky is in Pain or Suffering
If your Husky is hurt or is suffering from a disease, they will scream and cry to let you know they are in pain. Apart from vocalizations, see if there are any physical or behavioral changes.
For example, do you see symptoms like swelling, vomiting, or tremors? Does the dog seem to have low energy? Do they not want to play or eat anything? Crying and these symptoms combined could point to a bigger issue.
Check the Husky for any injury. If you notice any other symptoms, it would be best to get the dog checked by the vet.
How to Get Your Husky to Stop Scream, Whine, Howl, and Cry?
Now that we have seen why do huskies scream, whine and howl, let us understand how you can calm them down and train them to behave better.
1. Fulfill Its Immediate Need
If your Husky is whining because it needs to pee, poop, or is hungry, fulfilling its immediate need will soothe them. For your dog’s health, do not let hunger or attending nature’s call become a concern. Your Husky should not be whining or crying continuously for you to feed it food or let it outdoors.
Work on forming a routine with your dog. Set a time range where you take it out for walks in the morning and feed them small meals during the day.
2. Plenty of Exercises
Huskies are an active breed of dogs. They have evolved, pulling sleds in temperatures below zero degrees and navigating harsh climates. So, yes, it does need a lot of exercises.
According to AKC, regular exercise is necessary for a Siberian Husky’s physical and mental health well-being. If you already are a parent to a Husky, you know that simply walking does not cut it for them. Exercise routines will have to be a mix of walking, running, or playing fetch.
If you live in urban areas, dog parks would be a good place to take your pet. There are also specialized dogs playgroups available to help them use all that high energy, and bond with other pets.
3. Training
A husky can whine just to get your attention or sulk when it does not get its way. They like to boss. You must learn to say no to the dog in these situations. However difficult it may seem, caving into its unruly behavior will only make matters worse.
Do not respond to their howling; make no eye contact with them. They will acclimatize to calm down when they see howling cannot get your attention. When the dog settles down, you can give them a treat to show their obedient behavior is appreciated.
Some specific ways to train your Husky’s would be through Jennifer Nelson’s day-to-day method and the time-out approach.
4. Attention, Love, and Care
Huskies are naturally drawn toward people and other dogs. They are very social and like having company. However, if you leave your Husky home alone during the day, they can get bored and give into destructive behaviors.
By giving attention, we do not mean you have to play with the dog 24/7. You can set boundaries so that they do not get needy and anxious, but you need to respect their personality traits.
They love and care about you, and spending time with them is the ultimate gift you can give them.
5. Time to Visit the Vet
If your Husky is screaming or whining more than usual, investigate further. Are they hurt, are they showing any other physical symptoms, do you see a change in their mood. If yes, getting the Husky checked out by a vet would be ideal.
Things to Consider Before Bringing Home a Husky
Siberian Huskies are naturally beautiful dogs. They are very affectionate, curious, and athletic.
Huskies like playing around. A large house would be ideal. But they can live comfortably in an apartment if you take them out regularly for exercise.
Huskies are vocal; even your neighbors will know this. So if you do not like the constant chatter of your pet around, a Husky may not be the right pet for you.
Concerning training, you need to be patient with them. Lessons will have to be broken into small sessions. You will have to repeatedly go over the lessons for them to make any changes on your dog.
Huskies love digging. It would help if you had a separate area dedicated to their digging adventures. They do not care if they are inside or outside when they desire to dig, which could turn into a problem for you.
When outside, the dog needs to be kept on a leash. The fences should be of enough height to prevent them from jumping over. If you give them a chance, they will run away, never to be seen again. Do not let them anywhere near the balcony or terrace if you live in an apartment.
Summary
Why do huskies scream, whine, howl and cry? Reasons could include hunger, wanting attention, being bored, wanting to play, or being in pain.
Depending on the reasons, you need to form a better routine and training schedule for your dog. If you let them on their own, Huskies can become dominating and not listen to you. So, even though it is challenging to learn to say no, keep patiently training and reward them for good behavior.
If the Husky is howling more than usual or you notice other symptoms, it is best to take them to a vet for a checkup.
Elena Gherman is a highly skilled and knowledgeable animal care expert. At the start of her career, she gained practical expertise with multiple animals. In addition to that, she works as a DVM veterinary editor for Joy Pet Products, which focuses on offering reliable information on pet health and wellbeing. She meticulously reviews each piece of writing before it is published to make sure pet owners get the most precise and updated information possible.