Howling is a common Cane Corso behavior, however, when the behavior occurs frequently, it can be concerning and in some cases problematic to the people around.
So what does Cane Corso howling mean? And what can you do about it?
We’ll delve into the various reasons why Cane Corso howl and how to address this behavior when it becomes a problem.
What does it mean when a Cane Corso howls?
Cane Corso howling happens as a form of communication due to attention-seeking behavior, separation anxiety, frustration, boredom, fear, territorial behavior, and an underlying medical problem. The specific reason for howling varies between individual Cane Corso and their specific circumstances.
By understanding the meaning behind your Cane Corso’s howling, a solution to this common behavior problem can be put in place to address it.
Can Cane Corso howl?
Yes, Cane Corso can howl. Howling is a natural behavior in dogs, and it is not specific to any particular breed, including Cani Corsi. While some individual Cani Corsi may howl more than others, it is important to note that howling is part of a dog’s communication behavior.
If your Cane Corso howls, it is usually nothing to worry about, and it is a natural part of their behavior. It is therefore normal for the Cane Corso to howl. Howling is a natural and common behavior for Cani Corsi that serves various purposes, such as communication with other dogs, humans, and other animals.
However, excessive or prolonged howling that is out of the ordinary for your dog may indicate an underlying medical or behavioral problem that needs to be addressed.
Cane Corso howling
Cane Corso howling is a vocal form of communication much like barking or whining, used to express a range of feelings, including excitement, distress, and warning, as well as in response to various stimuli.
Understanding the reasons behind your Cane Corso’s howling behavior is important in addressing it effectively and ensuring your dog’s well-being.
Reasons for Cane Corso howling
Attention seeking behavior
Howling can be a way for Cani Corsi to get their owner’s attention, either for affection or to get something they want, such as food or a toy.
Cani Corsi naturally crave attention from both their owners and when they don’t receive enough of it, they might turn to howling to get it.
This can be especially true for Cani Corsi that are left alone for long periods of time and it occurs due to being anxious or lonely without their owner’s presence.
Additionally, attention-seeking behavior can be reinforced if a Cane Corso succeeds in getting their owner’s attention through barking or howling.
For example, if a Cane Corso howls, and their owner immediately comes to them and offers attention, the Cane Corso may learn that this behavior is an effective way to get what they want.
An attention-seeking Cane Corso will also cry, paw, jump up, or follow you everywhere in order to get your attention.
Related: Why is my Cane Corso so clingy? Dealing with an overly needy Cane Corso
Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common cause of howling in Cani Corsi. It is a condition in which a Cane Corso becomes anxious or distressed when their owner leaves them alone, and they may also present a variety of behaviors as a result, including barking or howling.
Separation anxiety in Cani Corsi can stem from several triggers, like a change in their owner’s routine, a relocation, or the loss of a loved one.
It’s also frequently seen in Cani Corsi with a history of trauma or instability, or those separated from their mother and littermates at an early age.
Some Cani Corsi are very susceptible to separation anxiety because they are people-oriented dogs that thrive on human companionship. This means that they love being close to their human owners and family.
When separated from their owners, they tend to suffer from separation anxiety by feeling insecure.
This is accompanied by other behaviors that include pacing, whining, and destructive behavior such as digging, or defecation in the house.
Frustration
Howling by your Cane Corso can be brought on by frustration. A Cane Corso may howl if they are prevented from doing something they enjoy, such as playing with other dogs or exploring their surroundings, or if they are unable to get something they want, such as a toy that is out of reach.
A Cane Corso may engage in a number of undesirable behaviors in times of frustration, including barking or howling as a coping mechanism.
It is important to recognize and address the root cause of the frustration in order to prevent or resolve this behavior.
See Also: Cane Corso crying: Here’s why and what to do
Boredom
When Cani Corsi howl, boredom can be a common cause. Cani Corsi need mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy and if they don’t get enough of it, they might get bored and engage in negative behaviors like howling to pass the time.
When Cani Corsi are left alone for extended periods of time without anything to do, boredom can be particularly common.
Cani Corsi who lack adequate room to roam and explore, or who lack access to toys or other forms of enrichment, may also experience boredom.
Underlying medical problem
In some cases, howling may be a sign of an underlying medical problem that is causing discomfort, pain, or a medical problem affecting their behavior.
If your Cane Corso is howling due to illness, you may also notice other signs of sickness such as loss of appetite, weakness, or signs of pain.
Look out for these symptoms and more unusual behavior changes which can be indicative that your Cane Corso is unwell.
Fear and anxiety
Fear and anxiety also cause a Cane Corso to howl. A Cane Corso may feel anxious due to several reasons including the fear of loud noises such as fireworks or thunderstorms, separation anxiety, or unfamiliar situations or environments.
Cane Corso fear and anxiety can have many different root causes, including past trauma or abuse, a lack of socialization or training, and adjustments to their environment or routine.
When a Cane Corso is fearful or anxious, they may howl as a way to cope with their emotions.
To stop this behavior, it is important to identify the source of the fear in order to put in place an appropriate solution.
Other fearful and anxious behaviors include pacing, panting, shaking, and hiding which may also be present in addition to howling.
Territorial behavior
Territorial behavior is a common reason why Cani Corsi howl. Cani Corsi are naturally territorial, and they may bark or howl to protect their territory from perceived threats like other animals or strange people.
Territorial behavior can be particularly prevalent in Cani Corsi that have been raised to be watchdogs for their owners or trained to defend their homes.
A Cane Corso that is showing territorial behavior may bark, howl, wag its tail, and exhibit other actions meant to dissuade or repel the perceived threat, such as growling, lunging, or showing teeth.
Related: Cane Corso crying and howling: Here’s what it means
Cane Corso howling in sleep, should I be worried?
Cane Corso howling in sleep happens due to dreaming, pain, separation anxiety, underlying medical conditions, and aging. It is not uncommon for a Cane Corso to howl, bark or cry in their sleep, and in most cases, the behavior is not a cause for concern, however, it can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
This behavior can be unsettling for a dog owner to witness, as it may appear as though their dog is in distress.
Do not do anything to your dog when they are howling, barking or crying as they sleep. This is because waking them up is disruptive and will startle and confusing for them.
It is best to let them sleep and allow them to process their dreams naturally even if they seem to be having a nightmare. However, continue monitoring your Cane Corso’s behavior.
Waking them up is necessary for certain circumstances if the howling, barking or crying are becoming a problem such as causing a disturbance, if you notice fast breathing, panting, or if they are having trouble breathing.
In this case, wake them up gently by calling their name until they wake up. Do not touch your Cane Corso during this time because you might startle them and they might bite you.
Cane Corso puppy howling
Cane Corso puppies, like many other breeds, may howl for various reasons as a form of communication to express their needs or desires.
This could include howling to get attention, to signal hunger, or to let their owner know they need to go outside to relieve themselves, boredom, fear, separation anxiety, medical problems, and as a normal part of their social behavior when playing with other dogs.
Therefore it is normal for a Cane Corso puppy to howl. Howling is a natural and common behaviors for Cani Corsi that serve various purposes, such as communication with other dogs and humans.
However, howling can be a sign problem for a sign of either a medical or behavioral problem which needs to be addressed.
What to do if your Cane Corso is howling
There are a number of actions you can take to manage and stop your Cane Corso from howling if it is becoming a problem. This includes:
Identifying the underlying reason
Determining the reason for your Cane Corso’s howling is essential to solving the problem.
Examine various factors such as your Cane Corso’s, age, background, and environment as well as any changes or stressors that may be contributing to the behavior.
Provide mental and physical exercise
A well-rounded routine of physical and mental activities is important for the well-being of your Cane Corso.
Ensure that your Cane Corso is getting enough exercise, playtime, and training, and consider incorporating interactive toys or games to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
Set clear boundaries through training
Establish strict rules and boundaries for your Cane Corso, and be unwavering in their enforcement.
This could help your Cane Corso understand what behaviors are deemed appropriate especially when they use howling to demand attention.
When to seek help
Consult your veterinarian or a trained dog trainer if you are unsure of the cause of your Cane Corso’s howling if you suspect that the behavior stems from an underlying medical issue, or if the behavior continues to be a problem despite your efforts.
They will assist in identifying the underlying cause and offer advice on how to address the behavior.
It is particularly important to see a veterinarian for your Cane Corso’s barking or howling. This includes:
- A sudden change of behavior: If howling is sudden or unusual, it could be an indication of an underlying medical condition or psychological problem. Your veterinarian will conduct a thorough examination of your Cane Corso, and perform necessary diagnostic tests to identify the reason for the behavior and provide a solution.
- The behavior is accompanied by other symptoms: When howling is accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, lethargy, or other behavior changes could indicate a medical problem that needs to be addressed.
- The behavior becomes problematic: If your Cane Corso’s howling becomes an issue for neighbors, other people, or even for you, it is important to seek assistance. A veterinarian or professional Cane Corso trainer will offer guidance on stopping or minimizing the behavior.
What not to do when your Cane Corso is howling
Avoid the following when you see your Cane Corso howling:
Yelling or punishing them: Avoid yelling or punishing your Cane Corso when they howl. This form of discipline will only increase their stress and anxiety, leading to even more howling.
Instead, keep calm and use positive reinforcement methods for good behavior to encourage them to stop.
Ignoring the behavior: It might seem like an easy fix to ignore your Cane Corso’s howling, but doing so only reinforces the behavior.
One of the reasons Cani Corsi howl is to get their owners’ attention and they are more likely to persist if they are not successful. It is important to address the behavior by implementing an appropriate solution.
Encouraging the behavior: Resist encouraging the behavior by not giving in to their demands by use of howling to get attention.
In the long run, this can reinforce the behavior and make it more challenging to stop. Instead, use or get training for your Cane Corso to better teach them the appropriate behavior.
Takeaway: Cane Corso howling
Howling is a common Cane Corso behavior, but they can become problematic if it is excessive or inappropriate.
A number of factors cause this behavior, therefore, to stop your Cane Corso from howling, it is important to identify the root cause of the behavior and to implement a solution that addresses it.
Remember, if your Cane Corso’s howling are causing concern, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian or a professional Cane Corso trainer for assistance on how to address the behavior.
At this point, you’ve just scratched the surface of the fascinating world of Cani Corsi. But there’s so much more to discover! Are you curious to learn about the different Cane Corso colors, Cane Corso ear cropping styles, or perhaps you’re eager to uncover other aspects of Cane Corso behavior?
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