6 month pup suddenly howling

[harryhausen]

My 6 month male border terrier pup has suddenly started howling. Its started in the last few days. It's basically when he doesn't get his own way I think. He's howling in the morning to get up when previously he was very happy to wait. He's howling when we go to bed. Now he's howling at the windows because he wants to go on a walk.

I walk him about 2 hours a day. I work from home so I'm always here - apart from the odd trip to the shops etc. He sleeps in a crate and goes in his crate when he wants some peace.

What's going on? Shall I ignore and hope it passes? His he just trying to be the boss?

Just wanted to add, the howling at night only started last night and he stopped after a bit.

Hi harry - it's hard to tell without more background really. What are you doing when he starts howling? Are you taking him for the walk / letting him out? This may reinforce the behaviour.

What makes you think it's because he wants something? Howling is more often an anxiety thing - and your pup is about the right age for the second fear period. It's more likely that this is the cause. have you noticed him being anxious or worried about things lately? How is his behaviour generally?

is he just trying to be the boss?
No. I'm guessing you're thinking of "Pack Theory" here - which has been descredited and is actually quite a damaging idea.

Thanks letherebe.

When he's done it at night we've give down to reassure him and he stops soon after. When he's done it early in the morning one of us has got up. This morning he was howling out of the window while looking at his favorite walk spots across the road (that's what made me think he was trying to pressure me into going out there and then! Stupid I know).

I didn't know about a 'second fear' stage. He never whimpered or howled at all as a tiny puppy so was alarmed at sudden new behavior. So I'm guessing just keep reassuring him?

Not stupid at all, it's difficult to work out what's going through their little minds!

Don't reassure him - that will reinforce the behaviour. Instead, say something like "don't be daft! There's nothing wrong." in a jolly tone of voice. You want him to think it's fine and there's nothing wrong.

Fear periods must be handled carefully as bad experiences now are more likely to turn into life long problems (I hate to say it, but if this IS a fear period, you're bang on time for fireworks night). Potential triggers need to be very, very carefully dealt with. Has he heard fireworks yet?

No fireworks yet - not properly. We took him to a local festival a few months ago so he could experience crowds. There were a few fireworks later on in the evening but they were far away. Oh heck!

Ok. I'll try and ignore the howling as much as possible and just carry on as normal. He's just been on a long walk and is a really happy doggy. One thing I noticed on the walk is that he kept checking I was there, kept running back to see me if he ran ahead. He's never been that bothered about that before either.

Keeping checking back makes me more and more convinced this is an anxiety / fear period thing.

Are you going to training classes? If so I'd mention it to your trainer - he / she will be able to advise.

Re the fireworks - you can download firework sounds from the internet. When mine was little I downloaded a few and made a playlist in iTunes. Then I played it really, really quietly in the background when we were doing nice things like feeding him or doing some training. So long as he didn't react to the noise I would turn it up a fraction. See how you get on. If he reacts when you put it on quietly stop straight away and speak to your trainer. Good luck!