Survivor is howling.

[Sam's Mom]

Looking for some advice. My Sam (alpha) died in October, leaving his notweiller brother Goliath (always a submissive guy) behind. Goliath is a Matiff X. My husband just heard from our neighbors that Goliath howls when we leave him alone. He is not alone that much cause my husband is laid off right now but, soon this will all change. He will be alone more and I just can't bear the thought of him howling in misery. Wish I understood more about why...I get the whole wolf thing but not sure how that translates to our pets.
Is he howling because he is sad...bored....or what?? And what can I do??
Any comments are appreciated.

[Karyn]

Howling has many uses - mark territory, letting others of the pack know where you are, call to gather, is anyone out there, I found food come help! He is probably calling to gather. He is lonely. He has had a companion and now misses him (pack order has changed). What to do! Well here is what I did after Roxy left - I had a dog sitter come over (while I was a work) and stay with Winnie then leave him for longer and longer periods gradually increasing the time so that he didn't know when we were coming back. Left the Radio on for him to he would hear voices and think there was someone around. Gradually, he got used to it. Now I leave at 8:30 a.m. Adam the dog walked comes over between 3 and 4:30 - walks him, plays with him, feeds him and then leaves. I have a part time job as well which gets me home around 10pm two or three days a week. Adam takes winnie to training classes. Adam is a God send... he is my girlfriend's brother.

[buddysdad]

he will be lonely now he has never been by himself. try shutting him in room for 1 min at a time and increase it do not let him in if he cries or barks.

[spoiledbabies3]

Jane...I am sure that he is lonely. When I petsit with animals that do this, I start leaving the TV or radio on for company. This helps to eliminate all of the creaks, cracks and other various noises that you hear when the house is completely quiet. Does he have complete roam of the house or is he crated? Sometimes this can make a difference too. For my own guys, I actually have old t-shirts that have my scent on them and they are in the crates with them...Moses has major separation anxiety issues and something with my scent on it calms him greatly. I also leave the TV on every day for my gang. If he has freedom, perhaps having access to your room (if he doesn't destroy anything) would help him. Good luck and I am so sorry that you are going through this...it just rekindles the hurt associated with Sam's loss...{{{HUGS}}} to you as I know this is difficult...