What do our pets do when we’re not around? Are they pilfering our footwear, tuning into the TV (and attempting to snack on it), or maybe our dogs and cats are embroiled in an intellectual showdown? This age-old question, as old as our beloved pets themselves, is finally finding some answers, all thanks to the advent of pet cams. In a comical video featuring a pup, we witness another dog who assumes he’s in splendid isolation and opts to release a hearty howl, only to be caught in the act.
Cooper, the Golden Retriever, stars in our video, commencing with a protracted, soulful howl, a clear manifestation of his yearning for his family and, perhaps, a touch of separation anxiety (all while his mom films from upstairs). The howling persists, and the camera angles in for a closer view of this endearing pooch. Then, Cooper barks and gazes upward, locking eyes with his owner, resulting in an utterly priceless expression of astonishment. The on-screen text reads, “I don’t think he realized I was home,” followed by a caption that humorously adds, “well… until he saw me lol.”
Numerous viewers endeavored to articulate the hilarity of this Golden Retriever’s reaction. One commenter, gothamthevampirecat, humorously suggested, “Dog said: whoooooo, hooooo… Jesus Mom!!! ?.” Others interpreted it with their unique flair, such as goodwerkshelper, who quipped, “He was like ‘Oh wait ✋️a damn minute.'”
It appears that everyone was able to tap into Cooper’s psyche to capture his solitude and subsequent delight. Megan Parkinson summed it up perfectly with, “Just a golden retriever, golden retrievering ??,” a sentiment likely resonating with anyone who’s had the pleasure of a Retriever as a furry companion.
But what’s the story behind dog howling?
We’re all familiar with the origin of howling in wolves, but why do our domesticated dogs persist in making these sounds, even when they know no one is listening? Most likely, a howling dog is simply feeling lonesome and might harbor some anxiety about being left alone. Installing a camera to check on your pets periodically and observe their activities when you’re away (a laptop can serve this purpose just fine) is a good idea.
Excessive howling may indicate separation anxiety, in which case it might be beneficial to collaborate with a trainer to alleviate it. On the flip side, many dogs are naturally chatty, and their “conversation” often translates into howling in the language of canines. For certain breeds, like Beagles, howling is so deeply ingrained that they vocalize just for the sake of it.
So, if a dog howls by the door and there’s no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? In Cooper’s case, it certainly does. Although he may have commenced his howling with a hint of sadness, Cooper experienced a pleasant revelation upon discovering that his mom was actually home, hopefully realizing that he doesn’t need to feel desolate any longer.