Why Won't My Husky Howl? (Possible Reasons + 2 Effective Tips)

Posted by Jori Griner

Huskies are known for their signature howl, but sometimes they don't seem to want to howl. It can be really frustrating when your husky doesn't want to howl. You may feel like you're doing something wrong, or that there's something wrong with your dog.

So, why doesn't my husky howl? 

The reasons might be its reserved nature, discomfort in its surroundings, past training, illness or injury, boredom, and sometimes depression. Also, the husky might just not have figured it out yet if it is young.

Don't worry we're here to help! In this article, we will discuss why won't my husky howl and offer some tips on how you can get your husky to howl. So, let's get started.

Reasons behind a husky's refusal to howl

Reasons behind a husky's refusal to howl

These reasons can be divided into two categories: physical and psychological. Let's discuss each reason in detail to make it clear.

Physical Reasons

If your husky is a puppy, it probably just hasn't figured out how to howl yet. Puppies are known for their playfulness and exploration, and they often make sounds without meaning. As your husky gets older, it will start to understand what howling is and why dogs do it. If your husky is older, there are a few physical reasons why it might not want to howl.

  • Discomfort

One possibility is that your husky is uncomfortable in its surroundings. If your dog is not used to loud noises, it may be hesitant to howl because it doesn't want to attract attention to itself. Additionally, if your husky is in a new environment, it may be feeling insecure and unwilling to howl.

  • Injured or ill
ill husky

Dogs often don't want to howl because it hurts them to do so. If your husky is in pain, it may be reluctant to make any noise, let alone howl. Plus, an illness that affects the throat or vocal cords, may lead to difficulty howling.

  • Boredom

Huskies were developed as very energetic canines. It's likely that your husky is bored and not in the mood to howl if it isn't getting enough exercise. If your husky isn't exercising frequently, you should make sure it is because it will assist to keep it happier and more healthy.

Psychological Reasons

A husky's refusal to howl can also be psychological. Let's take a look at some of the psychological reasons your husky may not want to howl.

  • Nature

Huskies are bred to be working dogs, and as such, they have a lot of energy. However, some huskies are more reserved than others. If your husky is on the more reserved side, it may not want to howl because it doesn't see the need to. Also, huskies that are more laid-back may not want to howl because it's not in their nature.

  • Depression

If your husky is depressed, it may not want to howl. Depression in dogs can be caused by a number of things, such as the death of a family member, moving to a new home, or a change in routine. If you think your husky may be depressed, you should take it to the vet for a check-up.

  • Previous Training

It's possible that previous training your husky had in the past taught it to stop howling. It's typical for dog owners to train their pets to remain quiet, so it's possible that this is what occurred. This is more likely if your husky has had prior owners.

2 Effective Tips for getting your husky to howl

Effective Tips for getting your husky to howl

Trigger Identification

In order for your husky to howl on cue, you must first identify what will trigger the behavior. Dogs usually howl in response to high-pitched sounds, such as sirens or musical instruments. Once you know what will trigger your husky's howling behavior, you can begin to work on training it.

Howl-Teaching

  • Command

Get your husky comfortable with the idea of howling. You can do this by teaching it the "howl" command. Once your husky knows the command, you can start to encourage it to howl.

Start by making a howling noise yourself and then giving the "howl" command. Be sure to use a high-pitched, excited voice when you give the command. If your husky doesn't howl, you can try making the noise again or clapping your hands.

  • Positive Reinforcement

As with any type of exercise, it's crucial to start out positively. Give your Husky lots of praise and treats when they howl. They will be more likely to howl again since they will associate it with something beneficial.

Never yell at your husky if they don't howl in return. They will only be less inclined to do it in the future as a result. Instead, make an effort to practice patience and good reinforcement. Your Husky should begin howling once more with some time and persistence.

  • Practice Regularly

Regular practice is necessary if you want your Husky to continue howling. Every day, set aside some time to work on your training. The more you use the command, the more probable it is that your Husky will remember it and carry it out when you ask.

Plenty of Exercises

As we mentioned before, Huskies are bred to be working dogs. This means that they have a lot of energy and need to burn it off. If your Husky isn't getting enough exercise, they may not have the motivation to howl.

Be sure to give your Husky plenty of opportunities to run and play. This will help to keep them happy and healthy, as well as improve their howling behavior.

Conclusion

If your husky isn't howling, it may be due to a number of reasons. It could be that the dog is too laid-back, previous owners may have trained it not to howl, it could be depressing, and anymore as we've mentioned above.

There are a few things you can do to try and get your husky to howl, such as teaching it the "howl" command, using positive reinforcement, and practicing regularly.

In the guide, we have mentioned all the possible reasons why your husky isn't howling. If you have tried all the tips and tricks, but your husky still isn't howling, then it's best to consult a professional. They will be able to help you figure out the internal cause.