All dogs are such characters, aren't they?
They all have their little idiosyncrasies that make them special and unique.
Howling can be one of those idiosyncrasies. While it can be no big deal, it can also grate on your nerves when done too much.
Fortunately, you can easily train your dog to stop howling once they start.
My dog, a pure bred Great Dane, was never a howler. And then my roommate and I decided to show her a video of other dogs howling.
With a great beller, she suddenly let out a big howl!
...And then she proceeded to use that howl frequently when I was away from home. She would even do this if I left the home for something simple, like a run.
Fortunately, she stopped howling just as suddenly as she started. I did not have to teach her to be quiet.
However, you might not be as lucky. Or, you might own a dog breed known for howling.
How to Teach Your Dog the "Quiet" Command
Wait! Back up just a second. Before we get to the "quiet" command, it's important to understand that dogs can howl for many reasons.
And one of these reasons can be to communicate they are in pain. Frequently, this is a serious kind of pain. The type of pain caused by a slipped disc, torn tendon, broken bone, or abdominal pain.
Generally, the way you know that pain is the root of your dog's howling is that your dog is not normally a howler. A dog who doesn't regularly howl, and then suddenly howls a lot, is likely going through some serious pain.
If this situation describes what's happening to you and your dog, then take them to the vet to figure out the source of the pain!
Now, back on to how you train your dog to be quiet. The good news is that it's easy enough to train your dog to be quiet when they start howling.
This even goes for dog breeds who like to howl a lot.
Here's what you do:
When your dog begins to howl, show them a treat
Once they stop howling and sniff the treat, say "quiet" and allow them to have the treat
Slowly over time, lengthen the amount of time you want them to stay quiet before having the treat
Eventually, your dog will get this down pat. After they have being quiet mastered with the use of the treat, gradually phase out the treat over time, until you have removed it from the process entirely.
So, there you have it. That's all there is to it. Now you can enjoy a quieter, more peaceful home.
Just make sure you watch your dog's body language and behavior closely to make sure they're not howling because they're in pain!