Stopping Your Dog From Whining: The Proven Approach

Dealing with a whining dog is just as troublesome as dealing with a barking dog. The sound of a canine whining is the most troubling dog behavior for many people. Much like a human infant cries, wild pups use whimpering to announce their need for attention, whether they are injured, cold, or just need food. Wild pups quickly lose this trait when they mature.

Many domestic dogs continue to utilize this method of communication well into their adult life in order to manipulate their owners. Whining and other noises that an adult, domesticated dog makes are solely for the purpose of gaining attention from the owner. Much like a mother in the wild, dog owners must curb this behavior early on in order to keep their pet’s behavior in check later on in life.

The first step is to determine why the dog or puppy is whining

Generally, a dog of any age is whining with a specific purpose in mind. There is something that they want from you, and they believe that whining will help them get it. By initially getting to the bottom of the whining, you can find a way to modify the animal’s behavior completely. Dogs will typically whine because they need to have their basic needs met of being fed or using the bathroom, and they will also whine because they want to be in the same area as you.

But there could be atypical causes for the whining which are not so obvious. If the animal is eating normally and experiencing the usual bowel movements, then the whining could be providing a signal that something else may be going on, that the dog is bothered by something. Whining can also indicate that your dog is in physical pain so it is vitally important that you have your dog checked out by your veterinarian to rule out any physical problems.

Once this has been done, you can assume the whining is a behavior and work on correcting it.

The most successful method of curing the problem is to handle it as you would one of your kids. Do not provide reinforcement for the whining by providing the animal with the desired result. For example, if you are eating and the dog is whining for scraps the first thing you should remember is not to give him the scraps, then you should give your dog commands that will draw his attention away from your food such as sit, lay down or stay. If this works and he obeys your instructions, reinforce his behavior by giving him something he likes, such as a biscuit.

Dogs often whine out of fear of abandonment.  Continued whimpering may be a sign that you are not providing enough quality attention to your pet. Comfort and confidence are the best things to give your dog in this situation. A good start is to alternate spending time with you dog with leaving him alone for short periods of time. If your pet begins to whine after your departure, refrain from rushing back to comfort it. Whimpering should be reprimanded with a low, stern voice.  Say “no” and leave the dog alone for a while longer. Compliance should be rewarded several minutes later by lots of praise and affection. If the behavior does not cease, simply start the process from the beginning again.

Upon successful responses from the animal, gradually lengthen the time intervals that he is being left to his own devices. Eventually, your dog will realize that you will come back when you leave and you will find that he will stop whining. By coming back into the room each time he whines, you are providing positive reinforcement to his behavior and yielding to the notion that you are wrong to leave him anywhere by himself. Exuding this dominant energy lets your dog know that you are the alpha in the pack and allows them to adjust their behavior accordingly.