Mary Allen
In other words, to fix the problem, you have to ignore it. The key is not to respond to the barking and whining – don’t approach your dog, don’t call out reassuring words, scold them, or let them out of their assigned crate or similar.
When dogs whine, it can be one of those incessant noises that get on the nerves of even the most loyal of owners. However, there are ways to keep your dog from ever whining again. First of all, it is good to know why dogs whine in the first place. Fostering our understanding of what influences a dog’s behavior can also improve our training techniques, so it’s worth spending a little more time learning exactly why a dog is making that annoying noise.
Why is my dog whining?
To eat and drink
In fairness to dogs, there can be a number of reasons why they bark that are actually legitimate and appropriate. Even the most passionate of owners can sometimes lose track of their dog’s needs, leaving a pup whining for food or water if he hasn’t filled his bowl in a while.
Toilet break
Dogs can also whine when they need to go to the bathroom urgently, so it’s a good idea to take them outside or wherever else they go for a bathroom break. Of course, when a dog is whining at your front door, you can be sure it’s because it’s desperate to get its business done. Such behavior should actually be encouraged because it will help your puppy not always want to go to the bathroom indoors and instead go about his business outside.
To care
Dogs can actually whine out of concern for you and other family members when they think something is wrong. It’s not uncommon for pets to whine when they hear a baby crying coming from their household. This is due to the pack mentality, which instinctively tells them to protect their family members.
Medical problems
One final major reason why a dog may whine is either because of an illness or other medical condition such as an injury. Your dog may need to be taken to the vet to have a look. If he is behaving very unusually than he normally is, then it could be an internal problem that should be consulted by a medical professional. In such situations, you can never be too careful about your dog’s health.
Game time
Dogs can also whine because they want to play with you. This is a difficult cry to mollify because playing with them to stop the whining actively reinforces the behavior. But playing with you will also end the whining. Because of this, we’re going to be looking at whining and howling, among other things. Of course, we would all love to play with our dogs all day, but unfortunately, it’s just not possible, so we need to find other ways to keep them from whining instead of playing to their whim.
Basic dog training principles should be applied when trying to keep your dog’s whining to a minimum. Just because it’s not a skill like “Sit” or “Stay” doesn’t mean the same rules shouldn’t apply.
The basics of dog training
Positive reinforcement
By now, the majority of dog trainers and dog behaviorists will advocate the use of positive reinforcement when it comes to teaching your dog new tricks. There is no better way than trying to get your dog to stop whining forever. By praising him as long as he’s well behaved and therefore doesn’t make that annoying whining noise, he begins to learn that whining won’t get him to get his own way.
Praise can come in the form of food and treats, which is especially beneficial if your dog is food-driven. Labradors are an especially good breed to train with food and treats. Some dogs respond better to rewards in the form of toys and games. If your dog loves something with a squeak to sink his teeth into, give this to him whenever he’s calm and peaceful. Some breeds just love it when they get really long cuddles and pets. Again, if your dog is well behaved and you want to keep it that way, you should do this. Before long, if they behave in this way, they will find that they are getting the attention they desire.
Ignore negative behavior
Likewise, it is commonly believed that ignoring negative behavior is the only way forward. Perhaps the hardest thing to imagine is remembering your dog whining at your feet for almost an hour. However, by ignoring their whining, they will start to remind themselves that whining will not get them attention or praise from you.
To speed up the learning pace, it can be a good idea to forcefully ignore a dog’s negative behavior. This means that when their dog starts whining, owners should turn away with an almost melodramatic whirl to get their attention. Another good tactic is to turn away from them, arms folded, while they keep whining.
Another big point to keep in mind is that reprimanding your dog during negative behavior like whining is actually a way for your dog to get the attention it may be craving. It is, therefore, crucial to continue ignoring this bad behavior immediately and never pay attention to your dog. This leads them to actually see any attention as positive reinforcement, in this case whining, so they will continue to do so.
Anxious wailing
A very common behavior seen in dogs is whining due to separation anxiety. Dogs that are often very nervous or sometimes just very close to their owner often just whimper until their owner returns. This kind of anxiety can be quite heartbreaking, but it can be alleviated, just like any other whining.
Owners need to follow the same rules as outlined above, which can be more difficult as most of us just want to comfort our pets and tell them everything will be okay. So while it can be easier to shower them with praise when they’re quiet, it can be harder to ignore their pleading eyes when they’re obviously upset by closing the front door and leaving them inside.
At times like these, owners just have to remember to play the long game and ignore their whining. What can also help is giving your dog a toy when he’s not whining and you’re about to leave the house? Not only will this distract them, but they will have reinforced their positive behavior by introducing a toy, i.e. don’t whine. In these cases, as with any training, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a toy that serves as a distraction – it’s just a tool that they see as the best form of praise.
Be aware of situations where your dog will whine
Finally, you should be aware of the situations that can lead to your dog whining. You can either help manipulate the situation to be as stress-free for her as possible, or you can introduce positive reinforcement for her calm behavior before the stressful situation begins for her. Common situations where the dogs whine is when other guests come into your house or sometimes during a phone call. In the case of the house guest, give your dog a toy or distract him 20-30 minutes beforehand. A good tip if your dog whines when you’re on the phone is to ask him to sit with you and only pet him when he’s calm.
Getting a dog to stop whining is a long and hard process, but it’s definitely possible. It just takes a lot of patience and some time to train your dog and reassure him that everything will be fine. Whining for a dog is an instinctive response so as owners we are against it from the start. However, the owners with the best results are those who follow the above steps with sensitivity to the wants and needs of their beloved pet.
How to get a dog to stop whining – FAQs
What to do if the dog keeps whining?
Dog howls: What can I do? If the howling bothers you a lot or you have the feeling that your dog is not doing well in these situations, please consult a specialist as soon as possible. This can be a qualified dog trainer or veterinary behavioral therapist.
What does it mean when the dog whines?
In the behavioral experiments, the dogs used it to express the feeling of being abandoned without being able to use it for communication. Dogs can express many different things by barking: aggression, fear, or joy. Whining is more explicit and usually an expression of frustration and negative feelings.
How to calm the dog down?
It is usually sufficient to talk to the bundle of nerves in a calm voice and to stroke it soothingly. Toys or treats can also help with distraction. Going for a walk or playing together is actually the best way to regain composure and self-confidence.
Should you let puppies howl?
If the puppy barks or howls, sit next to it, outside of the room or enclosure, or next to the carrier. Ignore him and don’t speak to him when he’s whining and seems distressed, but calmly praise him and reward him once he’s calmed down and completely still.
What do you do when the puppy howls?
Is he ill? If your puppy howls frequently, it can also mean that he is not feeling well. If he also shows other symptoms, e.g. loss of appetite, diarrhea, or vomiting, if he is breathing quickly, or if he feels weak, you should take him to the vet immediately.
How long to let a puppy howl in a crate?
Don’t let your puppy howl or bark for too long – it can be harmful to him. Therefore, give your puppy the opportunity to sleep in different places, preferably near you. In this way, you give your dog the feeling of security – instead of loneliness and stress.
How long does it take to get used to a dog crate?
Many dogs come to rest very quickly in the box. In this way, it is quickly linked to sleep and relaxation. How long such training lasts depends very much on the dog. There are dogs that accept the box very quickly and also dogs that take a little longer.
Why does my puppy keep squeaking?
Like little babies, puppies cry and whine to communicate and share their feelings with their new family. Unfortunately, they don’t speak the same language as their human cohabitants. So, to make yourself understood, you hear a lot of squeaking, whimpering, howling, and even screaming.
Where should a puppy sleep at night?
The sleeping place: When it gets dark, the puppy misses its siblings the most. In the pack, the family sleeps together, body heat soothes and protects. Nevertheless: A puppy should not go to bed! However, it makes sense if the dog basket is in the bedroom or at least nearby.
Where should the dog sleep at night?
Puppies in particular need a lot of closeness and still have to bond with you. That’s why a puppy’s sleeping place is always where its people are, preferably in the bedroom near your bed at night. Adult dogs can sleep alone at night.
Should a puppy sleep in the bedroom?
Ideally, you should let your puppy sleep in the bedroom at night and provide it with its own dog bed there. The closeness to you helps your four-legged friend to feel comfortable as a pack animal and to calm down more easily.
Why do puppies breathe so quickly when sleeping?
It is perfectly normal for puppies to breathe rapidly while they sleep, and in most cases, it is not a cause for concern. Breathing can increase significantly for a few minutes, especially when dreaming in the REM sleep phase. In some cases, however, an illness can also be behind it.
What to do if the dog whines at night?
To stop a dog from barking and whining for attention at night, you need to convince it that its barking and whining is NOT having the desired effect and will not lead to you going to it. You must show your dog that barking and whining will not get him anywhere.
How does the dog stop whimpering?
If your dog is very young, constant whimpering can be a sign that he is feeling lonely or bored. Try to provide enough play opportunities and a stimulating environment from the start so that the puppy learns to do things on its own.
Which animal whines?
Foxes have a large repertoire of sounds. A fox’s sounds range from barking and cackling to growling and whimpering to high-pitched screams, which are generally heard at night. The noises occur in different pitches and volumes.
How do I know if my dog is in pain?
As the owner, you can recognize pain in the dog with the following information: The dog no longer lies down. He likes to lie down, but he doesn’t sit. He finds it difficult to get up.