By Tom, CCDT-Certified Dog Trainer (10+ Years Border Collie Experience)–With veterinary review by Dr. Rachel Wong, DVM (DACVB)
You are a dog owner, and you must have experienced howling and wondered Why is my border collie howling?. When your collie howls sharp, it feels startling.
This collie breed is famous for its focus and calmness, and sudden loud cries can confuse you. A howl can be a message, a call for attention, a response to its surroundings, or a distress call. You never know.
Border Collies can use their voices to communicate. So, the first step is to figure out why do border collies howl to understand the problem.
Being an owner, peace and clarity are expected in the house and not confusion. But howling is not just noise, it’s more than that. It is a plea to understand the dog’s world. We shall guide and help you to understand why do border collies howl and decode the message.
Border Collies howl at frequencies (1500-4000 Hz) specifically designed for long-distance communication – a trait from their sheep-herding ancestry.”*
– Journal of Veterinary Behavior (2023 Herding Breed Study)
Contents
- 1 Why Is My Border Collie Howling- Understanding Vocalization Patterns
- 2 Causes And Triggers- Why Do Border Collies Howl
- 3 Understanding Howling Behavior
- 4 Strategies to address Why Is My Border Collie Howling
- 5 Conclusion
Why Is My Border Collie Howling- Understanding Vocalization Patterns
Border Collies will try to communicate in many ways for different reasons. Let’s see how they are different from other dog breeds.
Do Border Collies Howl Naturally?
Many people ask do border collies howl. They do howl but not as much as beagles and huskies. These two breeds, huskies and beagles, tend to howl a lot. And when they do, it’s because they want attention. There is a purpose for howling for why do border collies howl.
Difference between barking-howling-whining
Border Collies can howl long when they hear sirens or other dogs.
Collies will bark loudly to show they are excited or that something is wrong.
They make whining sounds if they are scarred or in need of comfort.
In comparison to other dogs, border collies, as herding dogs, focus on clear communication rather than loud barking. Instead, nature and centuries of breeding have made their sounds useful for working together.
Causes And Triggers- Why Do Border Collies Howl
The 5 Root Causes & Solutions
1. Separation Distress (Most Common)
Signs:
- Starts 10-30 mins after you leave
- Accompanied by pacing/destruction
Science-Backed Fix:
- Desensitization Protocol:
- Practice 1-minute departures 5x/day
- Gradually increase duration over 3 weeks
- Use Adaptil pheromone diffuser ($45)
A farm Collie named Sky reduced howling by 80% using this method combined with frozen Kongs.
2.Herding Instinct Activation
Triggers:
- Sirens (mimics lost sheep calls)
- Children playing (high-pitched screams)
Breed-Specific Solution:
- Teach “Quiet” Command:
- Wait for natural howlSay “Quiet” → immediately reward silence
- Gradually extend quiet time before reward.
3. Medical Alert (Urgent!)
Red Flags:
- Sudden nighttime howling
- Pressing head against walls
Vet Checklist:
- Thyroid test ($85)
- Neurological exam
4. Environmental Stressors
| Sound | Collie-Specific Fix |
| Thunder | Play pre-recorded storms at low volume |
| Construction | White noise machine + safe den area |
| Other dogs | Close windows during “peak howl hours” (7-9AM/PM) |
5. Attention-Seeking
Border Collie Twist:
They’ll mimic exact pitch that gets your response
Training Fix:
- Only acknowledge after howling stops
- Reward alternative behaviors (sitting quietly)
Communication And Connection
One must accept that howling is one the ways in which your dog communicates.
He can howl because he wants to bond with his family or because he is asking for your attention. Mostly, when dogs are tied down alone in the back yard or a room, they howl to get attention.
If there is bunch of dogs nearby howling then your dog howls too. It’s natural for them to respond to other dogs, like a pack howl.
When they are showing excitement while playing or they are greeting someone, they howl. Howling is a way for them to show they are connected. Ignoring it will fail to complete their needs.
Response
Environmental sounds can often be triggering reasons for howling. And collies have great hearing capacity. They can pick up distant barking, musical notes, sirens, the owner’s voice, and even the rustling of leaves.
But there are only a few triggering sounds to which a dog can howl. Sounds like alarms, sirens, high-pitched sounds, or wind chimes. Hearing such sounds makes them over excited and makes them join whatever is happening as well.
Showing Separation Anxiety and Distress Signals
An anxiety howling mostly comes from loneliness and stress. If you read a couple of things about collies, then you must know that when collies are left alone, their high energy and intelligence will make them bored and panic.
Compared to stray and shelter dogs, pet dogs, when left alone they howl too much, especially if it is a small breed. And pet dogs do have separation anxiety issues.
They’ll howl when you are leaving the house.
A dog can also howl if he has some destructive behavior issue.
Another issue can be due to increased pacing or whining. If owners fail to address this anxiety, such issues only get worse with time. Now you know Why Is My Border Collie Howling or why do border collies howl.
Medical Issues
Your dog may have conditions like hearing loss, joint pain and even cognitive decline seen in older dogs causing discomfort. This pain sometimes is expressed through howling. Visiting vet is recommended.
Understanding Howling Behavior
Take it as a task to understand instead of depending on a dog trainer or canine behaviorist; this way, you don’t have to spend unnecessarily.
To interpret the howling of your collie, closely observe him. Like when they howl, what sounds are around when they howl, and what he is doing. Means observe everything; body language tells a lot, especially their ears and tail.
Observe the timing of howl and what he sees and hears before howling. Does he get anxious if someone or any particular vehicle appears or activity takes place?
Persistent howling means he can be stressed. A high-pitched howl with raised ears, he is alert to a noise. A low, drawn-out howl with stiff body posture is associated with discomfort.
This type of sign will surely help you understand why your dog is howling. Remember, a dog’s body language and happenings in the surrounding will tell you the whole story, and then you can share with your trainer to find the cause.
Strategies to address Why Is My Border Collie Howling
To begin, you can teach them a ‘quiet’ command when they howl using positive rewards. Use your collie’s favorite toy or puzzle to distract him from howling. Consistency is key.
Try to create an environment that can reduce howling triggers. If you can, then use a white noise machine to cancel outside sounds. Giving toys will not help all the time; its better to tire your dog out by giving a lot of physical exercise.
Go for calming aids like pheromone diffusers helpful for sensitive dogs. Well-balanced can help to improve howling behavior over time.
How To Stop Your Border Collie Puppy From Howling At Bedtime
Make a habit of doing activities with your pup in a time-bound manner. After eating meals, puppies sleep a lot, so make sure before getting meals your pup has a lot of exercise, so he can sleep soundly.
Make a cozy sleep area with a soft bed. Ignore or don’t react to every little howl unless it is of some concern.
It’s better to initiate crate training.
Why do Border Collies howl?
They try to communicate or display some pain.
Do Border Collies howl a lot
Yes. Its a way of communication for them.
Are dogs happy when they howl?
Not necessarily. There can be many reasons.
Why is my Border Collie so vocal?
Border Collies are a very vocal breed, like beagles and huskies.
Conclusion
Howling is mostly associated with communication, environmental triggers, and anxiety. Address Why Is My Border Collie howling with empathy and patience.
Border Collies thrive on physical and mental stimulation. Curbing howling will involve more than quick fixes. Collies are full of expression because of their smartness and intelligence. So, they will always be vocal.
It is all about positive training, balancing energy, and reducing noise triggers. Choose understanding over punishment to help your dog overcome his howling habit. If howling persists, then consult a trainer or behaviorist.
