American cocker spaniels are fun to have around the house, but do cocker spaniels howl? With the right training, cocker spaniels can be the most loving and friendly dogs, however, there is one dreaded problem that seems to pop up from time to time: cocker spaniel howling.

Dogs howl as one way to communicate, attract attention, and make their presence known. Dogs also howl to “echo” high-pitched sounds like ambulance sirens and musical instruments. Howling is completely normal dog behavior, but what should you do if your cocker spaniel starts to howl excessively?

Why Do Cocker Spaniels Howl?

So, why do Cocker Spaniels howl in the first place? Unlike most dogs that prefer to bark, Cocker Spaniels choose to howl because the sound produced by howling travels farther. However, you can stop a Cocker Spaniel’s notorious barking by using consistent training methods, such as crate training and positive reinforcement, to teach them that being quiet leads to rewards and attention.

The most common reason for cocker spaniel howling is separation anxiety. Many cocker spaniel owners have noticed that their dogs howl whenever their owners aren’t around. If your neighbor tells you that your dog keeps howling whenever you’re at work, it’s very possible that your cocker spaniel’s howling is caused by separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety among dogs happens when they are separated from their owners. Usually, this kind of howling is accompanied by signs of distress such as pacing, elimination, and others.

When Do Cocker Spaniels Howl?

Knowing when your dog howls can help you identify what sets him off. Let’s have a look at the most common scenarios for cocker spaniel howling:

Howling during the day

You might have heard your cocker spaniel howling from behind the door after leaving for work. Maybe your annoyed neighbors have told you about it. Daytime howling usually occurs when your cocker spaniel is left alone. Howling travels farther than barking, so he howls to communicate with you in hopes that you come back.

Howling at night

Nighttime howling is the most frustrating kind of howling because you (and your neighbors) just can’t get enough sleep. It usually happens when your cocker spaniel is placed in another room while you go to bed. Cocker spaniels are pack animals, which means they don’t do well alone. It helps to have another dog in the house to keep them company.

Howling in their sleep

Just like humans, dogs can have nightmares too. Some cocker spaniels howl in their sleep, wake up, and then go back to sleep. There’s nothing you can do to stop your cocker spaniel from howling in his sleep. Don’t worry though — it rarely happens and when it does, we’re sure you’ll find it adorable.

How Can I Stop My Cocker Spaniel from Howling?

Now that you’ve learned when and why do cocker spaniels howl, it’s time to finally solve your dog’s howling problem.

Separation Anxiety: Exercise Your Dog

There are two things you can do to train your cocker spaniel to be quiet when you leave him alone. One is by leaving him with clothes and other personal items that have your scent all over them. The idea is that these items can calm and soothe your dog since he can smell you even if you’re not home.

Another effective trick is by exercising your dog before leaving him alone. You need to tire him out so that he’ll spend most of his time alone resting or asleep. He won’t have energy to stand by the door and howl until you come back.

Take your dog out for a brisk walk to really tire him out. When you get home from your walk, your cocker spaniel will want to do nothing but rest.

Medical Causes: Take Him to a Vet

Dogs howl when they’re in pain or sick. If you notice that your cocker spaniel howls more than usual while he’s lying down, take him to a veterinarian to diagnose the illness or injury.

Howling for Attention: Ignore and Reward

Some cocker spaniels have learned that howling can get them attention. They will howl when they want food, toys, or a good belly rub. If your cocker spaniel howls for attention, you need to do two things: ignore his howling and reward him for being quiet.

Ignore your dog the moment he starts to howl. Don’t look at him, speak to him, or touch him. Dogs will find any kind of attention rewarding, so even scolding him will make his behavior worse. You need to teach your dog that howling won’t work.

When your dog finally learns to be quiet after you ignore him, reward him with treats, petting, toys, etc. If you want your cocker spaniel to stop howling for attention, you should encourage quiet behavior. Pay attention to your dog only when he’s being a good boy.

Loneliness: Spend Quality Time

Do cocker spaniels howl when they’re lonely? The answer is yes.

Your cocker spaniel might be howling because he’s just lonely, especially if he is kept outside for most of the day. All dogs need regular interaction with their owners. If your cocker spaniel often howls, it might be because he just wants to spend quality time with you. Spend time with your cocker spaniel by playing with him, taking him on walks, bringing him indoors, etc.

Cocker Spaniel Behavior Training at Cuttin Blue Farms

Following the recommendations above, you will see improvement in a week or so, but it usually takes a few months for your cocker spaniel’s excessive howling to fully be solved.

At Cuttin Blue Farms, we have a passion for training American cocker spaniels to make them ready for service and family-friendly. Our cocker spaniels are well-behaved and loving, and won’t wake your neighbors up in the middle of the night.

Visit our website today to see our American cocker spaniels.