Huskies are a very vocal dog breed, using various tones and sounds to convey their feelings. The Husky scream is one of the most startling of these vocalizations, and if you’re not used to hearing it, you could easily be convinced that the pup was being tortured!
Thankfully, these screams are a completely normal vocalization a Husky uses to communicate with each other, and tell their owners they’re annoyed, seeking attention, anxious, fearful, or excited. Read on to learn more about why Huskies make these sounds and what owners can do to encourage their pups to use their inside voice.
The 4 Reasons Why Huskies Scream
1. Defiance
If you’ve ever watched a Husky screaming video online, you’ve probably noticed that they usually make this noise when their owners are trying to get them to do something they don’t want to do. It’s like seeing a furry, 60-pound toddler screaming as their mom encourages them to eat their veggies.
The Husky scream occurs when they’re trying to convey that they do not want to do whatever it is their owner is asking of them. It’s the pup’s way of “talking back” to their human and is akin to a toddler temper tantrum.
2. Attention
Huskies know how to play to an audience. These intelligent dogs will remember things they’ve done that have gotten a rise out of their humans so they can repeat the actions in the future. If they’ve been rewarded with laughs or attention other times they’ve screamed, they’ll be more likely to scream for attention again.
3. Anxiety or Fear
Huskies will sometimes resort to screaming if they’re feeling anxious or fearful. However, if this is the reason behind your pup’s vocalization, you’ll likely notice them exhibiting other classic signs of anxiety or fear, including pacing, yawning, or lip licking.
4. Excitement
Huskies are very excitable dogs and will sometimes use their ability to scream to let their humans hear their enthusiasm. You may notice your pup screaming when you walk in the door after work or pull up to the dog park in your car.
Screaming vs Howling
Screaming and howling are both typical methods of Husky communication; however, they can mean different things. Husky owners need to master the skill of distinguishing between the two vocalizations.
The main difference is the tone, as screams are more high-pitched than howls.
Context clues can help you determine if your pup is screaming or howling. Huskies will often howl along with sirens, when they hear crying babies, or high-frequency noises from your television.
Huskies will also howl if they’ve been left alone for too long. This breed historically lived amongst a pack of other dogs and, through domestication, has learned to look to their humans as their packmates. Howling when they’re alone can be due to anxiety or may be their way of trying to call to their “pack” for their return.
Why Are Huskies So Vocal?
The Huskies’ need to express themselves is a deeply ingrained instinct in their DNA. Puppies begin making grunting and whining sounds when they’re as young as two weeks. By the time they’re two months old, they’re practicing their barks and trying to howl.
Huskies are closely related to wolves, who communicate with their pack through various vocalizations. Howls can carry for miles in the wind, and the long, sustained sound can help pack members find one another. These sounds were necessary for wolves’ survival.
Huskies were developed as sled dogs, and as such, are used to working closely with a large group of dogs with whom they would need to communicate during their work.
How to Encourage a Husky to Use Their Inside Voice
A Husky’s screams may be normal, but the sound can be very jarring, especially for your neighbors. If your pup is screaming a lot, there are some things you can do to encourage them to use their inside voice.
Huskies are intelligent dogs that can learn new commands with patience and consistency. While you can teach them cues like “quiet” pretty quickly, it’s important to remember that this is just a naturally vocal breed. “Quiet” may help reduce the volume of the screams but will not stop them altogether.
Additionally, you may have luck curtailing behavior that precedes their screams. For example, if your Husky greets you at the door after your work day by screaming in your face, you can try using a rewards system to teach them to be calm when you come home. Overexcitability can be addressed by staying calm and redirecting their behavior.
Resist the urge to squeal, “I missed you so much!” the moment you walk in the door. Make your return home as dull as possible. The first few moments after you walk in the door will set the tone for your pup’s greeting. Ignore them and toss a treat or two on the ground to redirect their energy.
Take Control of the Noise
Another way to get some control over your screaming canine friend is by training them to vocalize on command. This allows them to express themselves, but keeps you in the driver’s seat. Start by using a command like “speak” whenever they scream, followed by a treat. Do this often enough and they will soon learn to associate the word with the vocalization. If ‘non-sanctioned’ screams are ignored, and no treat given, they will soon learn that it’s worth holding their tongue until you say the word.
Final Thoughts
A Husky will scream for numerous reasons, from frustration and defiance to anxiety and excitement. Owners must use context clues to determine why their pup screams so they can react appropriately.
A Husky’s vast number of vocalizations is one of the unique traits of their breed. The need to scream, talk, and howl is coded into their DNA, so owners should get used to receiving the occasional earful from their pups.
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