My dog Howls

[bluesmartie]

Why does my dog sing along when either the sax, clarinet, or flute is being played in our house?
Is he howling because he doesn't like it, in which case why doesn't he go out? Or is he singing along, albeit out of tune.
He's very loud.
:S

 

[dooce]

Our dalmatian does it as well - it seems only to be wind instruments that get him started. It's like he can't help himself - no matter how firmly you tell him to shut up, he carries on but just looks guiltier! I don't think it's because he doesn't like it, because he would bark at that - it's some weird doggy pack instinct I reckon. Don't forget that dogs are about 99% wolf

I've found that if I shut him in a room and play at the other end of the house, he's not so bad.

 

[suethesax]

My Jack Russel sings along beautifully but my Staffie does't bother - she's not musical.

 

[Jules]

dooce wrote:
it seems only to be wind instruments that get him started.

Slide guitar is known to 'work' too...

 

[Tenor Sax]

My Wife Howls...But only at a Full moon.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Another case for Sherlock Holmes:

 

[TomMapfumo]

My black lab loves his bass notes, and is literally a sub-woofer! However when I start on trumpet he always sits behind me, which seems to be more of a survival instinct on his part.

So is this where the name "Howling Wolf" came from?
Anyway on to Alto Sax for the afternoon - doing my Gilad Atzmon impression

Tom

 

[pete_canter]

Cash in - there's a tenor player who has made a fortune busking in Covent Garden by training his dog to howl along when he cues him in, the rest of the time the dog just lies there looking forlorn which also brings in the money.

Pete

PS Tom "sub-woofer" is very funny!

 

[Semiquaver]

Paw thing!

 

[Tenor Sax]

Its Woof being a Dog.

 

[Jules]

Yup- being terrierized by all these musicians.

 

[old_git]

My dog is very intelligent and can speak.
If you rub his private parts with emery cloth he says "Rough."

 

[Smiffy]

Dogs love Bach

 

[peedee]

I don't need a dog, I get enough howls from my neighbour when I practice. Now, what does that make her?

 

[Moz]

My collie whines but only when I play the high notes on my tenor or almost any note on my soprano. Dogs are sensitive to high pitches -- as the dog-whistle shows -- and it may be that as pack leader, the dog-owner is exhibiting a different type of sound that the dog is trying to emulate. Any words in a reassuring tone should get the dog to quieten down (it works with mine) in as much as he realises he no longer needs to back up his alpha male (or female) with his own voice.
Under no circumstances should the dog be told to 'shut up' in stern tones as in the dog's minid, he is doing nothing wrong and this gives rise to confusion in the dog.

I don't believe it is unpleasant for the dog, just confusing, and it is this confusion that should be understood by the owner.

Cheers

Moz

 

[PaulyT]

old git wrote:
My dog is very intelligent and can speak.
If you rub his private parts with emery cloth he says "Rough."

That's nothing.... My dog's a carpenter and handyman.....
He's always doing little jobs around the house!! :laugh:

 

[losaavedra]

Not all dogs seem to want to join in ... we've got four only one of which (the youngest) insists on joining in. It ain't the music ... its the blown instruments (alto, blues harp and more recently trumpet in my case). Keyboards and my attempts at vocals are totally ignored. CD player on loud (whatever the instruments) also completely ignored so I guess its only live stuff that turns it on. Wouldn't mind if it sang in key but it doesn't!

 

[nosaxyet]

I have 2 border terriers. The bitch howls like a good 'en every time I play. The dog on the other hand throws his head back and gives a soulful 'alto' howl that is very sweet. He's especially keen on the tenor!

Mind you, if the ma-in-law brings her dog, Charlie howls in the same way after he's gone. He sure is one blues dog!

 

[Semiquaver]

My dog can only sing a daugmented 4th,

the cat a purrfect 5th

and the canary a minor 2nd.

 

[yoyojojo]

My dog barked ferociously and assumed a real defensive attitude when she heard my first attempts at the sax. She's a bit of a nervous old neurotic thing who gets obsessions about some odd stuff... She was acting properly like she thought the sax was a threat! :? When I get my flute out she doesn't really bother...when she sees the piccolo case she runs as fast as her little legs will carry her 🙂