Why do dogs howl at Sirens: I was on a corner one many years ago when a procession of fire trucks went by, their sirens blaring. They were headed in my direction, and I heard an unusual sound behind me—a high, keening howl.
It was Sable, my black Lab, her head held high and eyes closed as if drawing on some ancient energy. She wasn’t afraid—she was singing. Her left-hand companion, however, did not appear to be impressed and elbowed me and instructed me to move on.
The incident left me questioning: Why do some dogs howl upon hearing sirens, while others couldn’t care less?
Remnants of the Wild: Is Wolf Howling an Instinct?
When dogs howl at sirens, one cannot help but dismiss the spooky similarity of the sound to wolves’ ululations when they howl in packs in the wild.
Howling is a primitive way of communication in wolves—calling place, warning others of danger, or calling their pack. Because dogs are lineal descendants of wolves, most researchers consider the behavior as an inherited ancestral trait that has not yet passed out of their system.
Dogs can hear the noise of a siren, a high-pitched sound, and perhaps interpret it as some type of far-off “howl” and feel compelled to respond. This instinctual reaction is most prevalent in pack- or social-oriented dogs.
Certain scientists even compare this reaction to dogs barking when another dog within the immediate vicinity starts. It’s a contagious response, predicated upon a need to communicate, warn, or simply be part of the “conversation.”
Do Sirens Hurt Their Ears?
Because dogs can hear at frequencies far beyond those of humans, owners worry that sirens will be painful or uncomfortable.
Though dogs have extremely sensitive hearing, most experts, like veterinarians Dr. Laura Hungerford at the University of Nebraska, think that howling is not typically a sign of pain.
Dr. Hungerford suggests dogs may howl because they associate sirens with specific events, or they’ve simply learned that when they howl, the sound eventually goes away. To them, it may feel like their howling helped “chase” the noise off.
But here’s the thing: if a noise feels painfully loud to you, it’s likely to be even louder to your dog. Extremely rarely, extremely loud noises can be unpleasant or can harm hearing.
Why Do Some Dogs Ignore Sirens Completely?
The variation in response to sirens seems to come down to personality, genetics, and even social structure within a household “pack.”
In my own home, Sable—the more submissive and expressive of my two dogs—answers nearly every siren she hears. Meanwhile, our alpha dog, confident and stoic, rarely reacts. It’s as if she’s assigned the howling duty to her packmate.
Some dogs may simply not feel the need to join in. Others might not perceive the siren as anything meaningful. And for a few, their upbringing or breed traits might make them less prone to howling altogether.
A Call of the Wild, Close to Home
Every time Sable lifts her head and sings along with the sirens, I can’t help but think of Jack London’s The Call of the Wild. Somewhere in her genes, that ancient call still lives.
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