So you've got a whinging, whiny little puppy or older dog - it's got to be one of the most annoying and frustrating sounds of all doesn't it?
Firstly we should say that this whining is a perfectly natural behavior for a young puppy - it is how they get attention from their mother from a very early age. It's when the whining or crying drags on and on and becomes a long term persistent habit that it becomes a problem for us dog lovers.
The best solution to whining, screaming or whinging behavior is to tackle it immediately, ideally before it establishes itself as an ingrained habit - try to nip it in the bud as they say. Always be fair, understanding and reasonable with a young puppy. They are sociable little creatures who hate to be left isolated and alone.
There are many things you can put into place right now to help quieten your whiny little beast down. We'll start out with some general tips and then get a little more specific further down the page.
"Whining/Crying Increases With Reinforcement
and Decreases Without Reinforcement"
Why Do Our Dogs Whinge & Whine?
This is the key question we need to ask ourselves. We must determine the cause of our dog's whining before we can come up with an appropriate and effective solution. There's usually a reason or trigger to be found - we've just got to determine what it is.
Some Of The More Common Reasons Our Dogs Whine:
They are seeking our attention - this is most common and tops the list of reasons.
Our dog may be uncomfortable. This could mean he/she is cold, wet or hot etc..
Dogs will whine if they are in pain.
The dog may be bored or lonely.
A dog who whines may need to go to the toilet (or has already soiled his sleeping area).
Dogs with unused energy will often whine - the energy has to come out somehow!
A hungry or thirsty dog will often cry or whine.
Many dogs whine because it works - we reward it.
The whining may be a symptom of canine separation anxiety.
General Things We Must Get Right To Ensure We Have Happy & Settled Dogs
Below is a list of general things that could feature under the heading of "responsible dog ownership". Put these ingredients into place and you will be eliminating many of the reasons why your puppy may be whining.
Provide a dry, warm, safe and comfortable area for your dog.
Ensure that your dog is well fed and has access to fresh water. If your dog whines in one particular area you may want to feed him/her in this area. This will provide your dog with a nice positive association to the area where he is normally unsettled.
If necessary take your dog out to the toilet every few hours.
One or two tasty dog chew toys may help reduce whining in some situations - a stuffed kong toy is a favorite with my dogs.
If your puppy is whining overnight you may be advised to bring his bedding/crate into your bedroom. Puppies love to be able to see and smell their "pack" - which is you. You will be able to move the crate out of your room over a period of time.
Burn off your dog's energy (this will prevent many destructive behaviors). Tire your dog out through on leash walks, playing games and some obedience training.
Place an item of clothing with your scent on it in your puppy's sleeping area.
If you are at all concerned that your dog's whining may be due to some kind of pain then a trip to the Veterinarian is needed.
Specific Strategies To Help Stop Your Dog From Whining
Once you have thought about what triggers the whining and have ruled out any of the general issues outlined above you can implement a suitable solution. Pick out one or more of the strategies listed below and apply them with consistency and persistence. Your aim is to get it through to your dog that you are serious about this and that his whining is not acceptable - don't be wishy washy about it.
If you are thinking that Separation Anxiety may be the cause of your dog's whining, read this article - Separation Anxiety in Dogs.
"Never Reward And Therefore Reinforce Undesirable Behavior - Always Reward Desirable Quiet Time"
If you feel everything is ok with your puppy and he/she continues whinging and whining then ignoring the behavior is the best policy. I understand that this is not easy but it is worth the effort - short term pain for long term gain. Each time you respond in any way to your dog's whining you are in fact rewarding the very behavior you are trying to eradicate. On the other hand when you ignore the whining you are sending a message to your dog that whining is a fruitless exercise. This method requires absolute commitment and consistency from all family members - don't give in to your puppy!
If you have a persistent whiner only ever go to him/her when all is quiet. Repeat the following training program over and over until your dog "gets it". If you can hear your dog whining in the other room go to the door and say "enough!!" and quickly slam the door shut. When the whining stops (even for 5 seconds) you
