Howling

[JPerrelli]

I hope somebody can help with this before I loose my mind and the neighbors won't talk to me anymore.
Murphy has started howling. This has been going on since late last week. I'm not sure but I'm wondering if there's a dog in heat near me. There's a small patch of woods behind my house, so maybe something is going on back there. Murphy is 2 and intact.
He's not eaten the last couple days but eats cookies and treats fine, plays fine. I really don't think there is anything medically wrong.
This goes on day and night. He's in the yard now howling. I've tried closing the windows and doors, but doesn't seem to help.
If he's smelling a female, would something like this be going on?

 

[new_2_newf]

that's what it sounds like for me. If he's outside being a brat, bring him in and take away the play time. Take him out to potty leashed if you must and tell him to be quiet if he starts up. It'll be a bit like talking to a door, but it should help keep him focused on the task at hand (doing his business) rather than howling.

 

[Jeannie]

He could be smelling a bitch in heat. You may try putting some vicks in his nose to mask the smell.

 

[luvmynwfy]

I sympathize with you. I had a female that would go off at something only she could see/smell/sense. We moved to the country about 5 years ago and we have a forest behind us too, that's really when she started. It seemed to give her such pleasure. Even when she was sick and couldn't run back and forth along our back deck, she'd laid down, throw her head back and sound off.
I know you were looking for help to stop it, it can be so annoying. I'm sure there's nothing medically wrong. Being intact might be your issue but who knows. I'd tell my girl to be 'quiet' but in 2 minutes she'd start up again, over and over it went...funny the things you'll miss one day.
All the best

 

[NinaA]

I'm afraid you might need to be outside when he is. Then, bring him in when he starts, or start by correcting him and then bring him in if he doesn't behave. I've never had one that howled day and night, but this is the way to work on barking. Good luck.

 

[CMDRTED]

That's what it sounds like to me. The vicks Jeannie suggested sounds like a good idea. Any other changes at home that might account for the behavior?

BTW I have Tripe for you.

 

[cmorgan.1505]

Sounds like someone is smelling a lovely lady!

 

[JPerrelli]

He howls when he's inside too.
I got some vicks. Should I put it inside his nose, or on the outside? Just a little dab right?

 

[heather pluciennik]

Hope Morgan didn't start this? She's been a little *$%@& the past few days. Growling and snapping at us???
I don't blame you if you want to call off our walks for a bit.
I'm sure walking with him didn't help things......

 

[JPerrelli]

I'm not sure that Morgan had anything to do with this. He was fine when we walked, and he hasn't seen her for 2 days.
I can't stand this pacing, howling and barking. If it's driving me crazy I can't imagine what it's doing to my neighbors. He just can't seem to relax.
And it's day 3 with nothing to eat besides some milkbones.

 

[JPerrelli]

Well, the vicks helped a little. I'm wondering if I can give him some dramamine (sp) to help settle him? He just paces and barks at me. If so, how much can he have? He's 160 lbs.
I talked to my breeder last night and she said her boys do the same thing when her girls are in heat. The problem is I live in a townhouse and I'm sure my neighbors are not too happy. It's a very dog friendly subdivision, but they can only take so much!

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

I don't know about dramamine dosage but Maggie gets 2 benedryl 2x per day as needed. She is 130lbs. Maybe that would do the same thing?

I'm sorry he's being a pain! I can imagine how frustrating it must be!

 

[CMDRTED]

Sure signs of a "lady" in heat around.

 

[JPerrelli]

I feel like a bad mama, but I gave him a dramamine and put some vicks up his nose and it seemed to help. That and a nice long walk. He finally slept through the night last night with no howling. Hopefully tonight will be the same.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

Don't feel bad. Ultimately you are helping him by making sure your neighbors don't hate you both! Poor guy....its not his fault there is a lady around!

I thought of you this morning...at our training class this morning our trainer was telling us a story about a female she had many years ago. Her dog was in heat while they were staying on Martha's Vineyard in a cottage. Her girl was really fussy in the middle of the night, so she got up to check on her. When she turned on the outside lights to take her out, there were about 15 male dogs all hanging around trying to figure out how to get into the house! Yikes!

 

[blaue_augen]

I wonder if Rescue Remedy would help? I have a friend who swears by it for calming her dogs down. You can buy pet dosage of it at health food stores.