Why Do Huskies Talk? Can These Amazing Dogs Really Communicate?

Huskies are a dog breed popular for their tendency to “talk.” You might have heard a fellow Husky owner brag about their pup communicating with them. Huskies can also imitate human sounds. But why do huskies talk? Can’t they just bark like other dogs? Are they really trying to communicate? How is a Husky puppy different from other dog breeds? We’ll explore those answers and everything you need to know about one of the most loved pack dogs! 

How Is A Husky Puppy Different From Other Dogs?

Siberian Huskies are known for their pack instincts or clan mentality. They are primarily bred as sled dogs owing to their strength and endurance to cover long distances while carrying light loads. The breed historically used by Siberians is now a much loved addition to the household for many. Siberian Huskies generally have a great tolerance for cold weather. These dogs have thick, beautiful coats. The American Kennel Club recognizes 9 colors for Huskies.

• Black
• White
• Black and white
• Black tan and white
• Brown and white
• Sable and white
• Gray and white
• Red and white
• Agouti and white

One of the notable features of Husky puppies is that they have naturally upright ears. Huskies have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years and an average height of 20 to 23.5 inches. They are considered the most talkative breed of dogs. Now let’s dive into why huskies talk so much!

Why Do Huskies Talk And Imitate Sounds?

Siberian Huskies make unusual sounds that seem like they are trying to communicate with their owners. They can’t actually talk the way we humans do. But they are quite vocal and have the ability to recognize human tonal patterns. This unique characteristic allows Husky puppies to differentiate sounds and therefore mimic them. Instead of barking like any of the other dog breeds, Huskies tend to howl, whine, scream, cry and talk. The Siberian Husky also shares common ancestors with Wolves. Although wolves are not meant to be pets, they are pack animals and have survived in the wild since the dawn of time. This could be one of the natural reasons Huskies talk. But there are several other factors that contribute to Huskies talking:

A Husky Is Responding To Their Surroundings

As pack dogs, Huskies are highly aware of what’s going on around them. They respond to all kinds of sounds in their environment. This behavior stems from their natural ability to hear high-pitched sounds that humans can’t. They can detect sounds from a distance due to their advanced hearing. A Siberian Husky talks in response to those high-frequency sounds and tends to mimic the sounds they hear. These sounds can be a baby crying or two people talking to each other. Your husky could be too talkative because they have detected a sound that is inaudible to you. And being exposed to such sounds repeatedly allows them to learn and mimic them. They often associate specific sounds with different situations.

You can find out more about why dogs howl at sirens here.

Your Talking Husky Is Trying To Communicate

Huskies can give an earful to their owners when they least expect it. They howl at and talk to their owners when they need to communicate. Domestic Huskies become familiar with certain sounds they hear on a daily basis in the house. They tend to use those sounds to communicate their needs to their owners. As dog owners usually react to the Husky howl, your pup might think it’s a normal action or rewarded behavior. If you notice your Husky being talkative, it might be trying to alert you about hunger, illness, playtime, or any other vital need. High pitched howls generally refer to feelings of happiness and joy.

They Have Anxiety 

Some Husky owners say that their dogs become very talkative once they are alone. So what does loneliness have to do with a Husky howl? Huskies don’t like living alone and can’t be used for guarding purposes like some other dogs. They are incapable of living independently. This is because Huskies love to get along with companions. In the prolonged absence of their owner, Huskies begin to feel ignored and lonely. Once left alone, they are prone to separation anxiety and may howl to calm themselves down. Anxiety may also result from a lack of exercise. Many Huskies are meant to endure an hour of physical activity every day. The lack of sufficient exercise could cause them to get anxious, which may lead to howling. 

They Are Frustrated Or In Pain

If you are the parent of a Husky puppy, you might have experienced extreme howling. This means it’s time to take a deeper look into the problem. A Husky in pain will vocalize to let you know they are suffering or frustrated. If your Husky is in pain, you will notice that it is panting a lot. Along with whining, panting is a sign that your Husky is in distress. So if your Husky is being too talkative, you may want to take them to a veterinarian to look for potential concerns. Genetic eye illness and canine hip dysplasia are the most common diseases found in Siberian Huskies.

Do Huskies Understand What We Are Saying?

No, Huskies do not exactly understand what we are saying. Huskies do have the ability to imitate the short phrases we often use around them, but that doesn’t mean they understand what those phrases mean. Despite not being able to talk the way we do, Husky puppies can comprehend human body language and intonation. With time, they learn the meanings of many words used repeatedly by their owners. They grasp the language even better through actions. Huskies have fantastic hearing capabilities and do listen to our speech. However, they focus more on the actions and sounds to comprehend our language.

Can You Stop Your Husky From Being So Vocal?

For most owners, excessive Husky sounds can be a problem. If you are one of them, here are some ways through which you can reduce those Husky howls. 

Find Out What’s Wrong

There is always a reason for your husky being very talkative. You need to figure out the root cause before you think of potential solutions. Play with your Husky if they need activity or offer a different type of meal combination if they’re hungry. Your dog might want a short playtime or your focused attention. If the howling is followed by panting, it’s best to pay a visit to the veterinarian.

Schedule Lots Of Exercise

Huskies are naturally very active dogs. They need regular physical activity to complement their stamina. A lack of appropriate exercise will frustrate your Husky even more, leading to excessive howling. So if you want to stop your Husky from being so vocal, it’s a good idea to schedule regular exercises and walks that keep them active. They’ll enjoy playing with squeaky toys too!

Spend Some Time Together

Huskies are one of the most socially active dog breeds, and they do not want to be left alone. Your husky could experience separation anxiety if you leave them alone for extended periods of time. This anxiety can lead to howling and whining. You can prevent this by giving some personal attention to your Husky. You can either play, talk or even take your husky out for groceries with you. This will help you train your husky to be less talkative.

Train Your Husky Away From Husky Howling

You can train your Husky to be less vocal if you know where to start. For training your Husky Puppy, you need to identify the triggers. Once they are identified, it will be a lot easier for you to understand your dog. You can set up some cue words. Try to stop your Husky when they start howling. Use your command words to interrupt the howling. It’s important to be patient and give your Husky room to make mistakes so that they trust you and become receptive to training.

Treat your husky

Once your Husky starts responding positively to your training, you can treat them with their favorite healthy snack such as avocado or watermelon. It’s a good practice to reward your pet right away when they listen to you for the first time. Keep handing out treats as your Husky responds by listening to you. This rewarding feeling will make your Husky recognize actions and sounds better. Such behavior brings forward positive reinforcements that will help you train your Husky more easily and playfully.

Conclusion: Why Do Huskies Talk?

It’s natural to think, “Why are Huskies so vocal?” A talking Husky is typically considered to be showing normal behavior. It’s in their genes to be talkative and try to communicate. Are Huskies so vocal because of multiple reasons? Yes. These could include:

-Alerting the owner of hunger, pain, or illness

-Feelings of isolation or separation anxiety

-Insufficient physical activity or exercise

-Responding when they hear sounds

-Frustration

Huskies howl, whine, cry, scream, and mimic sounds but do not bark as often as other dogs. They have pack instincts similar to their wolf ancestors, which may contribute to their need for socialization (and to them being wolf-like dogs)! Because of their superb hearing, they are able to recognize, learn, and mimic sounds that they repeat when they want to communicate.

Want to know more about barking behavior? Check our this blog on whether dogs get tired of barking!