howls at ringing phone

[Saunders]

Roman is a 3 year old EM and he will howl at the top of his lungs when the phone rings. Unfortunately, he usually has only reached midway thru his melody by the time I answer it and so continues his serenade so loudly that I must leave the room to be able to converse. If I have answered an automated call, such as from my pharmacy, his howls will actually cause the automated call to end even though I have answered and am repeatedly saying hello.

Now, it is my fault I didn't nip this in the bud, but when he first started I was still working and just didn't receive that many calls in the evening when he was in the house with me. Now, however, I have retired and am home much more. I realize I need to figure out how to stop his howling behavior and I need ideas. Has anyone else experienced this or something similar? I searched for how to stop howling and didn't find any answers. He doesn't howl at passing sirens but will occasionally howl once during the night. We live in a rural area.

I have tried to give him his bone even to the point of stuffing it in his mouth (where it does not remain, of course.). I have also sternly ordered him outside, and he howls all the way and I miss answering the call by the time that feat is accomplished. I have tried putting my hands around his muzzle before he starts if I am near him. I obviously have no command for be quiet.

Thanks for reading.

 

[lynnturner65]

Can you change your ringer? My dog hated the ringer on my cell phone and would bark and try to bite it. I changed my ring tone and she was fine. Now with the new apple upgrade my daughter had a new text tone and Zoey hates that so as soon as my daughter gets home she shuts of the ringer!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

My dog Stone is sensitive to any "arkward" noises. Alarm on my cell phone, desk clock, ring tone sounds, will make him start whining. The sound of chickens clucking make him start howling.

 

[Saunders]

Unfortunately it is my cordless home phone he is reacting to, not my cell phone. I did try to change the ring tone but they are all too similar to make a difference I guess. I even bought a different set of phones, but no change.

 

[Saunders]

Chickens clucking, I love it! I get the awkward noise thought, but I actually hoped he would get used to the phone ring and just stop on his own. I can stop him from barking by telling him that's enough or saying ehh sternly. If I try that when he begins to howl its almost like he tries to stop himself or swallow the sound but cant quite keep it in.

At least he doesn't try to bite or eat my phone.

Could the ring frequency bother his ears or is that a stupid question?

 

[cookiedough39]

In order for me to give advise on this, I would need to see a video of it. OK...I would be no help with advise, I just want a good laugh.

 

[raechiemay]

It could be a high enough pitch that the sound might be bothering him. Could you try turning down the volume on the ringer just a little & see if that helps?

 

[Saunders]

You would laugh for sure. Some of my friends will call me and have their phones on speaker so hubbies, family etc. can get a laugh too.

 

[Saunders]

Good idea. I haven't tried changing the volume. Thanks.

 

[lynnturner65]

Mine also doesn't like me talking on the phone because she doesnt have my undivided attention, she needs me to be paying attention to her every second of the day!

 

[Smokeycat]

Is it possible to mimic the ring on your cell phone? Or record it? That way you might be able to associate the sound with treats without worrying about missing a call. The minute the sound begins he gets a treat, before he howls. Hopefully it would break the cycle that's in place.

 

[Saunders]

That's a great idea, Smokeycat. I never thought of treats to break the cycle rather than encourage it. He's usually close enough to me and I can carry a treat easily enough to hand him quickly. I can practice just by calling my home phone with my cell.

THANKS!

 

[CorsoCorso]

We did the same thing with the doorbell....the bell rings, Gio gets a treat. After some repetition, Roman will begin to associate the phone ringing with good things happening for him. You can just keep calling your house phone from your cell phone - if he howls before you have a chance to treat then he gets no treat.

 

[cookiedough39]

Can you post video before you "fix" him....PLEASEray:

 

[Saunders]

Can you post video before you "fix" him....PLEASEray:

You guys are hilarious. I get great information but I also get a tremendous amount of laughs!