Skip to main content

Video: Dog howls when he thinks he’s alone (spoiler: he’s not)

Why do dogs howl when no one is around? It could be separation anxiety

What do our pets do when we’re not around? Are they stealing our shoes? Watching TV (and trying to eat off it)? Or perhaps the dogs and cats are engaging in a battle of wits. It’s a question probably as old as pets themselves, and we’re finally getting some answers, thanks to pet cams. In this hilarious pup video, we see another dog who thinks he’s alone, and decides to go for a good howl… until he gets caught in the act.

@amber.023

well… until he saw me lol #goldenretriever #goldensoftiktok #dog #dogsoftiktok #singingdog

♬ original sound – cooper & amber

Cooper the Golden Retriever opens our video with a long drawn-out howl of longing — he clearly misses his family and perhaps suffers from a touch of dog separation anxiety (his mom films from upstairs). The howling continues as the camera leans over to get a better glimpse of the sweet pooch. But then Cooper barks and looks up, catching her eye, and a priceless expression of shock comes over his face. The text reads, “I don’t think he realized I was home,” with a follow-up in the caption that says, “well… until he saw me lol.”

Recommended Videos

Many commenters attempted to describe this Golden’s hilarious reaction, including gothamthevampirecat who writes, “Dog ? said: whoooooo, hooooo…. Jesus Mom!!! ?.” Others narrated it a bit differently, with goodwerkshelper claiming, “He was like ‘Oh wait ✋️a damn minute.'”

It seems that everyone is able to get into the mind of Cooper to capture his loneliness and then happy surprise. Megan Parkinson remarked, “Just a golden retriever, golden retrievering ??,” which definitely rings true to anyone who’s ever had a Retriever as a furry friend.

Small dog howls at the sky while outside in the dirt
Alexas_Fotos / Pixabay

What’s the deal with dog howling?

We all know that howling comes from wolves, but why do our dogs continue to make these noises, especially when they know that nobody can hear? Most likely, a howling dog is lonely and might also have a bit of anxiety about being left by himself. It is a good idea to set up a camera to check in on your beasts every now and then and see what they get up to when you leave the house (a laptop will work just fine). Excessive howling can mean separation anxiety, and you may want to work with a trainer to reduce that. On the flip side, many dogs just talk a lot, which translates to howling in canine language. For some breeds, like the bayers, howling is so ingrained in them that they frequently make noise just to make noise.

If a dog howls by the door and no one is around to hear it, does he make a sound? It turns out, yes, at least in Cooper’s case. Even though he may have started sad, Cooper got a pleasant surprise when he discovered his mom was actually home and will hopefully learn that he doesn’t have to be so forlorn anymore.

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
This is how to know when it’s time to put your beloved dog down
Consider using the Quality of Life Scale to make the right choice
A woman hugs and kisses her senior dog

Our pets stick with us through thick and thin — they greet us every day when we get home, sleep near us at night, and never mind when we have a bad day. In return, we owe them the best life we can give, which includes a peaceful passing. No one wants to think about their beloved dog dying, and yet, it's one of the few certainties in our lives.

Sadly, nature doesn't always step in, and sometimes we have to determine when our pup's time has come. In these instances, you might have to put down your sweet pet to end their suffering. When is the right time, though, and how do you know? Here's when to put a dog down.
When is it the right time to put down your dog?

Read more
Why do dogs howl? It’s not just to get your attention
These are the reasons behind this instinctual canine behavior
Brown and white dog howling on a porch

From massive Great Pyrenees to tiny Chihuahuas, all dogs share a common ancestor: the gray wolf. It's true! And even though most canines today look nothing like their ancestors, some instinctive traits — such as howling — remain. Even in Hollywood films, howling canines symbolize the untold horrors our on-screen heroes are about to face. In fact, the association between howling dogs and unfortunate circumstances dates back to Ancient Egypt.

Anubis — the Egyptian god of death, mummification, and the afterlife — is depicted as having the head of a dog. Ancient Egyptians believed that dogs howled to summon Anubis to collect a soul. Even in modern times, though, the sound of a howl in the dead of night can send shivers down your spine. But why do dogs howl?
Dogs howl as a form of everyday communication

Read more
Why does my dog have the zoomies? Your pet’s crazy behavior, explained
The zoomies: Why dogs get them and if you should try to stop them
A Bassett Hound running in a sunny field

You’re just chilling in your home or backyard with your dog. Suddenly, they book it and start running around in circles. You would think they were trying out for the Kentucky Derby — that’s how fast they’re attempting to move — except they’re not a horse. The problem? You can’t figure out what’s going on or why they’re displaying this behavior. It can feel jolting and alarming for a first-time pet parent or one whose previous dogs never acted this way. It can look like nervous energy being let out, but what is this behavior, really?

Your dog may have a case of the zoomies. The word sounds silly, but it’s a real-deal dog behavior. Why do the dog zoomies happen? Should you be concerned? Here’s what to know about this often-seen and always beloved doggie phenomenon.
What are the zoomies, and what causes them?

Read more