1. Home
  2. Dogs

Viral video: Is this ‘howling’ puppy super cute or a nightmare in training?

By

A howling dog can be a major headache, but a howling puppy? Adorable.

One dog dad shared a super cute video of his three-week-old puppy trying (and sort of succeeding) at howling. (Note: Puppies shouldn’t be separated from their mothers before eight weeks if at all possible. While mama isn’t present in this video, we’re hoping she’s just off camera, taking a well-deserved nap.)

https://www.pawtracks.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/howling-puppy.mp4?_=5
Recommended Videos

Look at this duo, comfortably lazing on the couch. Dad does his best imitation of a dog howl — which is really quite good — and his pup follows suit. It’s not exactly a howl, but it is adorable — and the internet agreed.

Of course, many were quick to point out that this might not be the behavior you want to teach a puppy. Redditor Eitmamots noted, “Spend the first three weeks teaching them to talk, and then [the] next 12, hopefully, 15 or 18 wonderful years trying to get them to shut up.”

Redditor Issatoyoda81 added, “Cute as can be at that age, but keep it up and you’ll be spending 20 times the effort to untrain as a grown puppy.”

Others disagreed, noting that for some pet parents, their dogs’ howls are all part of the fun. “I love ‘arguing’ with my dog,” said Redditor SadMaryJane.

Judgmental_Leviathan agreed. “Me too!! My dog is a sweetheart, but she loves to argue just as much as I do lol. I always look forward to our daily arguing matches,” they reported.

kamelizann confessed that watching their malamute and German shepherd mix learn to howl has been a highlight of pet parenting. “She has an older brother that’s a purebred GSD and howling always came naturally to him… and he always howls at sirens,” they explained. “Being part malamute, I expected her to be a natural howler but she’s just not. She quickly joins in when the older one starts howling but I don’t think she understands why. Her howls started out as something between an extremely loud high-pitched bark and a whine… the most god-awful off-pitch sound I’d ever heard if it wasn’t so cute. Now at a year old, she actually has a somewhat coherent howl. Still not perfect like the older ones, but she’s making progress. It was so fun to see how excited she got over it.”

Others weren’t as convinced, pointing out the potential dangers of teaching dogs bad habits. Redditor tpacoa said, “A lot of people give up their puppies when they realize that it’s no longer cute and it’s a lot of work and responsibilities.”

They also pointed out that “no apartment will allow renters to stay long if the pups howl in the middle of the night or early morning.”

Of course, it’s all about understanding your situation. If you’re someone who loves “arguing” with your dog and you live in a big house with a big yard, you’re in a much different situation than someone sharing walls with other apartment dwellers.

And, as FrioPivo noted, sometimes, you have to learn bad habits to avoid bad habits. “For responsible dog owners, teaching commands for bad behavior is a tool for teaching commands to stop that behavior,” they said. “Hopefully, that’s the situation here.”

Plus… that “howl” is super cute.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Nicole Carlino
Editor
What is littermate syndrome? Why this puppy bond can be a problem
Why you want to avoid littermate syndrome (and what to do if you didn't)

What's better than bringing one puppy home? Two — or so you might think. Welcoming two puppies at the same time can seem adorable in theory, especially if they're from the same litter. The two puppies already knew one another and were perhaps born within seconds of one another. Siblings growing up together, what could be more fun?

However, most animal behavioral experts recommend against getting two puppies on the same day (or within six months). They're not trying to rain on your puppy parade. Instead, experts warn against the possibility of littermate syndrome. What is littermate syndrome, and why can it be so stressful? Let's discuss. We'll also work through ways to treat littermate syndrome if your pets already have the issue.
What is littermate syndrome?

Read more
The best medium-sized dog breeds for your family
These dogs are the perfect size — and temperament — for families with kids

Whether you're a veteran dog owner or are new to the canine world, it can be immensely helpful to do your research before adopting the dog of your dreams. After all, step one is to figure out what your ideal four-legged friend might be like.
Will they cuddle up with you at the end of the day, or will they sleep in a dog bed all their own? Would you like a high-energy friend or a canine buddy that can binge-watch your favorite Netflix show at all hours of the day with you? Perhaps even more importantly, what size dog can you handle in your home?
Medium-sized dogs are a perfect fit for those who may want the activity of a larger dog without the massive size. Many families prefer mid-sized canines because they're large enough to play with children without getting hurt, but they're not too large to spook or knock over a child (most of the time, anyway). There can be many reasons why a medium-sized dog breed is your perfect fit, but how do you know what breed to look into? Let us help you decide.

Medium-sized dogs for families with children

Read more
How to find the right veterinarian for your pet
Getting your pet the best medical care will improve and prolong their life

Taking your dog or cat to the vet might cause you some anxiety, especially if you're doing so for the first time. Trust us, it makes pet ownership so much more enjoyable when you have an animal doctor that both of you like. Choosing the right veterinarian for your beloved companions may not be easy, but it's certainly worth it — you'll have a better time caring for your animals, and they will stick around longer with excellent medical attention. Here's how to choose a vet.
When should I look for a vet?

We hate to add to your checklist, but you probably want to look at vets before you even bring home a dog or cat. It can take time and lots of phone calls to different places before you figure out the right fit — meaning a practice that suits your needs and budget and has availability.

Read more