Why do dogs howl?

Why do dogs howl?
No matter the breed, age, or temperament, all dogs howl. Some howl a little. Some howl a lot. Some howl louder. Some howl longer. But they all howl.
Like many canine behaviors, howling has ancient roots. In the wild, wolves concerned for safety in the forest would howl to announce their location to other members of their pack family. Brave wolves howled to warn other wild animals to stay away from their territory. Your dog may not howl to identify your whereabouts or keep intruders at bay, but now, as in past generations, dogs howl as a form of communication. Since dogs are part of their human families, it is important to understand what dogs are trying to communicate when they howl so that you can respond appropriately.
Some basic messages that a howling dog may communicate include:I am alert and responsive to my environment,I am here! Come this way, Stay away from here, Here I am. , I want some attention! I'm very nervous! I'm hurt and Look what I found!
Many dogs howl when stimulated by certain high-pitched sounds, such as sirens and music, or in response to the vocalizations of another dog. Howling recognizes that they hear the sound and express their readiness to respond or wish to participate in the action. If your dog's howling is triggered by auditory stimulation, he is likely to stop when the sound stops (when you turn off the music, he stops singing). This type of howling is usually not problematic unless the triggers occur frequently and become a nuisance to you or your neighbors.
In the wild, part of the canine pack stays indoors while other members explore the area in search of food. Howling is a form of communication that helps the members of the pack find each other. The dogs that stay behind vocalize to signal the location of the base and guide the scouting members back to safety. After being left home alone, a dog may howl when it hears you driving to your house or when it sees you climbing the steps in an attempt to guide you safely back to them.
Some dogs howl to keep intruders out of their territory. Howling signals to incoming dogs that a certain area has already been claimed and visitors are not welcome. Howling is a good defense mechanism that keeps potential predators away. Since dogs protect their homes, they may howl when a visitor approaches their territory.
On the other hand, an approaching dog may howl to alert resident dogs that they are coming. This vocal announcement prevents an arriving dog from frightening the current inhabitants of an area. The howl alerts surrounding dogs that their environment is about to change.
Some dogs howl to communicate their need for attention. Nothing gets a dog owner's attention like a piercing howl, so the ploy works. This canine verbal manipulation can become annoying, so humans must learn not to reward vocal demands. Try to avoid eye contact and resist the urge to approach a howling dog. Don't pet him or talk to him, but don't scold him either. Some dogs, like some children, will do anything for attention, even negative attention, so scolding your dog may make the situation worse. When he calms down, give him the attention he craves. This is difficult to do, especially if you are worried about disturbing the neighbors, but persistence will pay off. To help your dog stop howling for attention, try rewarding only quiet behavior.
Howling can actually be a joy. Wild dogs howl when they corner their prey, and domestic hunting dogs are often trained to imitate their ancestors. Your dog may not be a hunter, but it can get excited when it finds a new treasure in your yard. Whatever the prize, howling lets you know that your dog is proud of a new discovery.
Some howls cannot be ignored. If your normally quiet dog starts howling, he may get hurt. People cry when they are hurt, and so do dogs. Dogs howl to vocalize pain. Take your dog to the veterinarian to rule out illness or injury.