All I know is that the only times my dogs ever howl there is a siren. It may be too far for for me to hear but I always know before I hear it when a siren is coming my way. For me I have a neighbor that sends their yip yap dog out to do it's business at midnight and three A.M. every night. Then two dogs go crazy barking at the yipping. Until I turn on the back light and then they quiet for some reason

But the sirens I just can't stop them from howling. I guess they are just hard wired for sirens?