Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Video: Dog howls when he thinks he’s alone (spoiler: he’s not)

Why do dogs howl when no one is around? It could be separation anxiety

Rebekkah Adams
By

What do our pets do when we’re not around? Are they stealing our shoes? Watching TV (and trying to eat off it)? Or perhaps the dogs and cats are engaging in a battle of wits. It’s a question probably as old as pets themselves, and we’re finally getting some answers, thanks to pet cams. In this hilarious pup video, we see another dog who thinks he’s alone, and decides to go for a good howl… until he gets caught in the act.

@amber.023

well… until he saw me lol #goldenretriever #goldensoftiktok #dog #dogsoftiktok #singingdog

♬ original sound – cooper & amber

Cooper the Golden Retriever opens our video with a long drawn-out howl of longing — he clearly misses his family and perhaps suffers from a touch of dog separation anxiety (his mom films from upstairs). The howling continues as the camera leans over to get a better glimpse of the sweet pooch. But then Cooper barks and looks up, catching her eye, and a priceless expression of shock comes over his face. The text reads, “I don’t think he realized I was home,” with a follow-up in the caption that says, “well… until he saw me lol.”

Recommended Videos

Many commenters attempted to describe this Golden’s hilarious reaction, including gothamthevampirecat who writes, “Dog ? said: whoooooo, hooooo…. Jesus Mom!!! ?.” Others narrated it a bit differently, with goodwerkshelper claiming, “He was like ‘Oh wait ✋️a damn minute.'”

It seems that everyone is able to get into the mind of Cooper to capture his loneliness and then happy surprise. Megan Parkinson remarked, “Just a golden retriever, golden retrievering ??,” which definitely rings true to anyone who’s ever had a Retriever as a furry friend.

Small dog howls at the sky while outside in the dirt
Alexas_Fotos / Pixabay

What’s the deal with dog howling?

We all know that howling comes from wolves, but why do our dogs continue to make these noises, especially when they know that nobody can hear? Most likely, a howling dog is lonely and might also have a bit of anxiety about being left by himself. It is a good idea to set up a camera to check in on your beasts every now and then and see what they get up to when you leave the house (a laptop will work just fine). Excessive howling can mean separation anxiety, and you may want to work with a trainer to reduce that. On the flip side, many dogs just talk a lot, which translates to howling in canine language. For some breeds, like the bayers, howling is so ingrained in them that they frequently make noise just to make noise.

If a dog howls by the door and no one is around to hear it, does he make a sound? It turns out, yes, at least in Cooper’s case. Even though he may have started sad, Cooper got a pleasant surprise when he discovered his mom was actually home and will hopefully learn that he doesn’t have to be so forlorn anymore.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah Adams
Contributor
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Why do dogs dig into their bed? An annoying behavior, explained
This dog behavior is common, but can be cause for concern
A brown dog in a dog bed

You hoped your dog "dug" their bed when you spent hours researching the top brands with the comfiest products. Maybe your pooch took to their bed immediately — success. Alternatively, perhaps they decided your bed was a better fit, and you chose to roll with the choice. Regardless of which option you two settled on, you may notice your pet has an interesting bedtime and naptime routine: digging into their beds.

The digging is usually accompanied by some walking around in circles, nosing at the bed or any blankets, and repeating until they finally settle down and enjoy some sweet slumber. Why do dogs dig on the bed, though?

Read more
Why is my dog barking at nothing? There’s often a really good reason
Your dog likely isn't barking at "nothing" after all
Side profile of a Siberian husky stands in the water at the beach and barks

Virtually every dog barks every now and again, but sometimes that barking can get to be too much. It's easier to address excessive barking when you can figure out what your dog is trying to tell you or alert you of, but dog owners know it's not always obvious. In fact, it can be a bit unnerving when your dog is barking at an empty wall.

You're certainly not alone if you find yourself asking, "Why is my dog barking at nothing?" This is a common question among dog owners, and it's something that veterinarians and animal behaviorists have studied as well. There's usually a reason behind dogs' barking, after all, so it's worth looking into to make sure your furry friend is alright.

Read more
What to expect when your dog’s expecting: A dog pregnancy guide
Weekly guide to your dog's pregnancy stages
a pregnant brown American pit bull mix with a bow around her stomach poses standing on a wooden crate with flowers

Jodi Jacobson/Getty Images Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images
Whether or not you’re planning on breeding your dog, there’s a lot of value in learning about dog pregnancy stages and how to care for a dog who’s expecting. Especially if you're the kind of person who would rescue a dog in need, you never know when you (or someone around you) might benefit from this knowledge. As adorable and exciting as puppies are, do you know how to handle what comes first?
If you look at dog pregnancy week by week, it’s much simpler to understand. You’ll be able to break down the tasks and to-do’s so you’ll always be able to give your expectant pup the love and care she deserves. Nothing is better than a healthy and happy mama and babies! Here’s what you need to know:

How long is a dog pregnant?
Although there is an answer, the reality of every pregnancy will vary. The American Kennel Club reports that the average gestation period for a dog is 63 days from conception to birth. This can vary because it can be nearly impossible to tell exactly when conception occurs in canines. Once mating occurs, sperm can stay alive inside the female for up to a few days. Puppies are fully developed around day 58, so labor can begin as early as then.

Read more