Why Do Dogs Howl When Left Alone?

Some dogs howl when left alone simply because they are lonely. Dogs are very social, and they want to be around their families. In some cases, howling can be a sign of separation anxiety—a condition that must be properly treated in order to stop it from getting worse over time. If your dog only howls when left alone, it’s probably loneliness or anxiety. On the other hand, some dogs are just very vocal and will howl whether you’re there or not. 

Helping My Dog With Loneliness 

No good pet owner likes the idea of leaving their dog alone—and hearing them howl as you pull out of the driveway only make the guilt worse. While you may not be able to quit your job and spend the entire day pampering your pooch, there are some things you can do to help ease his loneliness.

  • Try doggy daycare or hiring a dog sitter. Daycare is great for dogs who enjoy playing with other dogs to get lots of exercise and be happier and less anxious on days when they are left at home.
  • Leave him treat puzzles and other interactive toys. Keeping his mind occupied is a good way to ease his loneliness.
  • Consider a second dog to be his companion. This way, he will never have to be alone!
  • Check out more tips to help your dog’s loneliness in our blog article here

Dealing With Separation Anxiety 

If the howling is accompanied by destructive behavior, escape attempts, and excessive chewing, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. This is not something that will get better on its own. In fact, when left untreated, it often gets worse. Treatment depends on the severity of the anxiety, so talk to your vet or a qualified animal behaviorist for advice about how to help your dog if you suspect separation anxiety.

Some breeds howl more than others, but if your dog becomes vocal only when he’s alone, these tips may help to ease his loneliness. 

Why Do Dogs Tear Up Stuff When You Leave?

Many dogs get into mischief now and then, but if your dog often tears stuff up when you leave, it could be a sign of anxiety. Anxiety in dogs is quite common, and it ranges from mild to severe. It won’t resolve itself if ignored, so if you suspect your dog is suffering from anxiety, it’s important to take steps to address the issue before it gets worse.

Is It Anxiety Or Boredom? 

Boredom is another reason that your dog may be destructive, so how do you tell the difference between separation anxiety and boredom? Here are a few hints that it’s anxiety:

  • Your dog only acts up when you’re not there.
  • The destruction is accompanied by excessive barking.
  • Your dog tries to escape.
  • Your dog goes to the bathroom in the house.

Dogs with severe anxiety are not only destructive, but they may even injure themselves trying to escape. That’s why it’s so important to find a resolution.

Work with your vet to determine if your dog is just bored and lonely or if he’s suffering from anxiety and then you can address a solution to his behavior based on that.

For Boredom:

  • Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise—and that means different things to different dogs. Some pets are fine with a 30-minute walk each day while others need to be much more active.
  • Provide interactive toys, such as treat puzzles, to keep his mind busy. Swap out the toys often to keep it interesting.
  • Consider investing in doggy daycare especially if you work long hours. Hiring a dog walker is another option. 

For Anxiety: 

While mild anxiety can sometimes be resolved with the use of calming products, by changing the dog’s environment, or even by playing classical music, moderate to severe cases may require the help of a vet or animal behaviorist. 

The good news is that destruction due to boredom and anxiety are behaviors that can be resolved with the right interventions.

  

Why Is My Dog Whining For No Reason?

If your dog is whining, there likely is a reason—even if you’re having a hard time figuring out what that reason is. Puppies and dogs use whining as a form of communication, so the whining could be because he’s trying to alert you to something, he’s hurt or sick, or to let you know he wants something. In most cases, whining isn’t an issue, but if it’s excessive, you may need the help of an animal trainer to curb the behavior.

Is Your Dog Sick? 

One thing that is important to rule out is a medical condition. Sometimes it’s easy to tell when the whining is due to pain, but other times it’s not. If it started suddenly and occurs at random times, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your vet to make sure nothing is medically wrong.

Is Your Dog Alerting You? 

If your dog is whining and running to the same spot or staring out the window, it’s likely that he’s trying to alert you to something. This could be anything from a stranger in the yard to a stray plastic bag stuck in a bush, but it’s always a good idea to check things out. Once your dog sees that you’ve given the all clear, he’ll likely stop whining. Be sure to praise him, so that he’ll know that alerting you to potential danger is the right thing to do.

Is Your Dog Looking For Attention? 

Some dogs will whine for extra food, more treats, or additional playtime. While you want to supply your dog’s needs, you also want to be careful not to teach your dog that whining = getting what you want.

If your dog whines to get certain things, only supply that thing once the whining has stopped. This will reward silence rather than whining.

Whining rarely happens for no reason, so try to pinpoint the cause so you can stop the behavior. 

Why Does My Dog Bark At Nothing At Night?

Your dog probably isn’t barking at nothing at night; he’s likely just barking at something you don’t recognize. If your dog barks at night, it could be in response to sounds that his sensitive ears pick up that you can’t hear. It could also be because he wants to be closer to you instead of being crated, or because he’s frustrated, in pain, or lonely. If you can figure out the reason behind your dog barking at “nothing,” you’ll be in a better position to stop the behavior.

Did the Behavior Start Suddenly? 

Anytime there is a sudden change in your dog’s behavior, an underlying medical reason could be the cause for the change. If nothing else has changed, and your dog has started barking at night on a regular basis, a visit to the vet is in order.

Could There Be a Threat? 

Some pet owners just tell their dog to be quiet when he barks at night without considering he could actually be trying to warn you of a potential threat. It could be an actual threat or just someone venturing a little too close to your yard. Either way, if your normally quiet dog is barking at what seems to be nothing, it’s a good idea to check things out.

Dealing with Nighttime Barking 

If your dog barks at night and you can’t figure out why, try changing something about the environment. For example:

  • Try playing soft music.
  • Move his crate into your room.
  • Take him for a long walk shortly before bed.
  • Feed dinner closer to bedtime.

When your dog barks at night it’s a hassle. If you can’t figure out how to curb the behavior on your own, don’t give up. Talk to a vet or an animal behaviorist who will help you understand the underlying cause for the barking and figure out a way to stop it. 

Will A Dog Eat Itself To Death?

It would be highly unusual for a dog to eat himself to death, but some dogs will certainly overeat if given the chance. Free feeding is a common practice among pet owners, and it may work for some dogs who will stop eating when satisfied. Other dogs, however, will continue to eat until they make themselves sick. Fatalities from gorging are extremely rare. That being said, bloat is a serious condition that can be caused by eating too much too quickly and can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Problems With Overeating

While your dog isn’t likely to eat himself to death in one sitting, long-term overeating can certainly shorten his life and lead to a myriad of medical conditions including:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Arthritis 

As is the case with humans, ensuring your dog eats a proper balanced diet is important to his good health. If your dog tends to overeat, then free feeding is not the way to go. Instead, you’ll want to put out measured amounts of food two or three times a day.

Why Do Some Dogs Overeat?

Like humans, some dogs tend to eat until satisfied while others overeat anytime they have the chance. There is no one simple answer as to why some dogs overeat, but potential causes include:

  • Boredom
  • Anxiety
  • Former food deprivation
  • Hormone imbalances 

No matter the reason, curbing your pet’s overeating is important in order to help him maintain optimal health. Free feeding may be convenient, but if your dog doesn’t know when to stop, then it’s detrimental to his health.

Even though your dog isn’t likely to eat himself to death in one sitting, long-term overeating could lead to serious health consequences. If you’re not sure how much or how often your pet should be eating, talk to your vet for advice specific to your dog. 

 

Why Is My Dog Peeing Everywhere?

Some reasons your dog may be peeing everywhere include medical conditions, improper training, fear, or infrequent walks. If the pet is a puppy or a dog that is new to your home, you’ll need to exercise some patience as some dogs take longer to train than others. If a housebroken pet has started peeing everywhere, you’ll need to try to pinpoint a reason.

Common Reasons For Inappropriate Urination 

Once your dog is properly housebroken, he shouldn’t start urinating in the house unless there is an underlying reason. These may include:

Medical Conditions

This is a common cause of a trained dog to start peeing throughout the house. Medical conditions that can cause this behavior include urinary tract infections, kidney issues, bladder stones, diabetes, and certain injuries. In many cases, dogs will show no other symptoms, so you should make a vet appointment as soon as you notice that the dog is urinating in the house.

Submission

This is most common in puppies, but it can occur at any age. If someone startles the dog, reaches for, or scolds the dog, he may urinate out of fear or to show his submission.

Marking

You can recognize marking as it tends to be very small amounts of urine in certain places. Spaying or neutering can help, and the earlier you fix your pet, the less likely they are to mark.

Infrequent Walks

An easy-to-fix issue is that your dog simply isn’t being let out enough. If you’re gone for 8+ hours a day, your dog may not always be able to hold it until you return home. If putting in a doggy door is not a feasible solution, consider hiring a dog walker to stop by each day.
Until you can figure out and address the reason, you’ll want to be sure to use an enzymatic cleaner to fully eliminate the odor left behind by the urine. If you don’t, the dog will be attracted to urinate in that spot again—as may other of your household pets.

The good news is that the behavior can usually be successfully addressed either by the owner, the vet, or, in some cases, an animal behaviorist. 

Why Does My Dog Cry At Night?

There are many reasons your dog may cry at night including loneliness, anxiety, pain, and alerting you to noises he hears outside. Since there are so many possible reasons for the crying, it can be difficult to pinpoint the reason without looking at context and then working to eliminate each potential cause. The good news is that, more often than not, it’s no cause for alarm when your dog cries at night.

Ruling Out A Medical Issue 

Anytime there is any notable change in your dog’s behavior, a visit to the vet is warranted. Since dogs can’t tell you when they feel sick, you have to rely on other cues to know when something is wrong.

If your dog has typically been pretty settled at bedtime but suddenly has started crying at night, it’s a good idea to schedule a vet visit to rule out a medical issue. Also note that some dogs begin crying at night as they age even in the absence of a medical problem.

Dealing With A Crying Dog 

Once the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, you’ll have to decide how to deal with the crying. It sounds unkind, but don’t run to comfort the dog every time he cries or he’ll quickly learn that crying in the middle of the night equals attention.

Instead, keep these tips in mind:

  • Puppies in a new home will cry. It’s to be expected. Once they settle in and realize they are safe, it will stop on its own.
  • It’s possible that the crying stems from a lack of exercise. Try giving your dog an extra walk or two during the day.
  • Limit food and water as it gets close to bedtime.
  • Try playing soft music or the television to calm your pet.
  • If the crying only occurs when you’re out of the room, it’s possible your dog has separation anxiety. Make note of any other behavior that seems off, and mention this to your vet.
  • While you may have the urge to run to your pet anytime he cries at night, doing so only sets you up for the crying to continue indefinitely. Instead, try the tips above. If none work, talk to an animal behaviorist for advice tailored to your pet. 

Can A Landlord Make You Get Rid Of Your Dog?

Your landlord cannot make your get rid of your dog without going through proper legal channels. Some will try, and many tenants have rehomed their dog because of a threat from a landlord, but make sure you know your rights before making such a drastic decision. You may be surprised to learn how many protections you have under the law. Laws and regulations vary greatly based on location and other factors, which is why doing your rehome_research is a must.

Never Sign A Lease That Specifies No Pets 

You love the apartment, but the lease says “no pets.” The landlord assures you that it’s just an old lease and pets are fine. Do NOT sign that lease. If the landlord changes his mind about pets down the road, all that will matter is what’s in the lease. Insist on only signing an updated lease that states pets are allowed.

Landlord Threatens to Remove Your Pet

Your landlord cannot enter your unit and remove your pet. He has to go through proper legal procedures. Seek legal advice immediately if your landlord has threatened this type of action. 

Service Animals are Allowed

Even if yours is a no-pet building, service animals are allowed, and you cannot be charged a pet fee. If your landlord is threatening eviction over a service animal, get the advice of a local advocacy group or attorney. 

A New Landlord Wants the Dog Gone

In most cases, the new landlord must abide by current leases. There are exceptions, and that’s why it’s important to know your rights and to get advice from your local housing authority. Of course, once the current lease is up, the new landlord can include language that prohibits pets. 

A No-Pet Clause Is Void In Some Cases 

In some locations, a no-pet clause becomes void if a pet has lived openly (not hidden from the property owners) in the rental for three months. This varies by type of unit and location.

What You Can Do to Prevent Issues With Your Landlord 

  • Never sneak an animal into a rental where pets are prohibited.
  • Be very clear about language in the lease as it relates to pets.
  • Provide proper training for your dog so he’ll be well-behaved.
  • Be honest when moving in about what type of dog and how many dogs you have.
  • Don’t add additional pets without checking that it will be allowed.
  • Always pay required pet fees on time.
  • Pick up after your dog in common areas. 

While your landlord can’t usually demand you rehome your pet right away, if he really wants the dog off the property, he will eventually make it happen. As soon as you realize your landlord is not okay with your dog, start looking for a new place. That way when your lease is up, you’ll already have a plan and won’t have to surrender your pet. 

What Is the One-Bite Rule?

In some laws, the one-bite rule may state that the owner of the dog will only be liable for injuries caused by the pet if the owner knew about the animal’s aggressive tendencies. Sometimes called the one-free-bite rule, this could eliminate the owner’s responsibility for the dog’s first bite. While one has been the norm throughout the country, many states have changed this so that owners may be fully responsible even if they had no solid reason to think their dog would be aggressive.

States With The One Bite Rule 

While laws are always changing, the following states still use the one-bite rule as of this writing:

  • Alaska
  • Arkansas
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Maryland
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • New York*
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota**
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Wyoming 

*In New York, the one-bite rule applies to criminal liability, but not civil liability.

**In South Dakota, the one-bite rule applies as long as the owner kept the dog from running at large and maintained reasonable control over the animal. 

Strict Liability: The Alternative To The One-Bite Rule 

Unlike states that adhere to the one-bite rule, strict liability states can deem the owner responsible for any dog bite inflicted by their pet. Under strict liability laws, the owner may be responsible whether or not they could have prevented the incident and whether or not they should have reasonably known the dog had aggressive tendencies. 

How Do I Rehome My Labrador Retriever?

If you’re asking “how do I rehome my Labrador Retriever,” you’ve likely decided you can no longer keep your pet. Making a decision like this is not easy and you may be unsure on what your next steps should be. You’ll have a few options when it comes to rehoming your dog, including surrendering her to a shelter, working with a rescue, or rehoming her yourself.

Surrendering Your Labrador Retriever to a Shelter 

This is often the first thing that comes to mind because it’s fast and easy—but it’s important to understand all possible outcomes. Shelters work very hard to find homes for all the dogs in their care, but this isn’t always possible. Talk to the shelter operators about their policies before making this choice.

Working with a Rescue

If you can find a reputable private rescue with space for your dog, this is an excellent option. The problem is that great rescues are usually full and can have long waiting lists. Try breed-specific rescues and keep in mind that you might have a better chance if you communicate with the rescue that you’re able to keep your dog until space opens up.

Rehoming Your Dog Yourself 

Rehoming your Labrador Retriever yourself allows you to stay in control of the situation until you find her a suitable new home. Plus, you’re able to choose the home yourself—and who knows where your dog will be happy better than you?

You might not be sure how to go about finding a new home for your pet, but there are many helpful resources available. Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com offers expert advice, allows you to create a pet profile (you can even include a video!), collect applications from potential adopters, and more.

Taking the time to find the right home is the best way to ensure both your dog’s happiness and your peace of mind!