A dog that is constantly whining or crying can wear on your patience, but dogs don’t just call for no reason. They give you a signal, and you must work out what they are doing to resolve the issue.
They could be bored, lonely, or not getting enough mental or physical stimulation. Or they could think the world revolves around them, and how dare you watch TV or speak to someone on the phone. This whining needs to be addressed as the bad behavior could worsen if allowed to carry on.
Dogs can get stressed, anxious, and depressed just like people. So, shouting at them for whining isn’t going to help. Instead, you need to identify what is affecting their mental health and limit the exposure to it or train them to become comfortable with those situations.
Dogs have a superb sense of smell and hearing. They know of things going on that we don’t. You might think it is all quiet and wonder why they are barking, but they may be alerting you to something that is going on even though it might be insignificant.
Sometimes if dogs get overstimulated, then they can whine a lot. For example, if you pick up the hand-free dog leash ready to take them out for a walk, then they might start crying. Or if you take them out in the car, they might call the entire journey because they are excited about what they are going to do at the end of the trip.
This whining should not be ignored. They could have hurt their foot on a walk or eaten something that has made them sick. You need to keep an eye on this and treat it if you can. If things worsen, then take them to the Vet.
You do not want to stop whining all of the time because whining is a form of communication. For example, if they are hurt or scared, you want them to feel comfortable enough to tell you. However, constant whining for attention needs to be limited as it is not good behavior.
If a dog is whining just because it is attention-seeking, then you should not encourage this or reward it. If every time it cries, you give it attention or provide them with a treat to shut them up. Then they will learn that by whining, they get a reward. So, they will do it more.
What you should do is only reward them when they are quiet and behaving well. For example, if they are crying, do not do anything, wait until they have stopped and have calmed down, then after a couple of minutes, you can give them a treat, play with them, or cuddle them. This means they associate good behavior with getting a reward.
You can also reinforce this method with a clicker. When they stop whining and wait a little while, you press the clicker when it has calmed down and reward it. Please do not press the clicker too soon, though, as the dog will learn that it must whine first before calming down to be given a reward.
It is fair to say that if a dog is whining for attention or has separation anxiety, it is likely the owner’s fault as they allow the dog to become bored or lonely.
Don’t just think you can walk a dog once a day, and that is it. You need to make sure they are entertained and don’t get bored. Plus, if you have been out all day at work, and you just come in and sit in front of the TV. Then they could rightly be annoyed with that, as they have missed you all day and they probably want to spend some quality time with you.
There are many ways to keep a dog entertained, which should limit constant whining.
Make sure you give them enough exercise for their age and breed. Some dogs need more training than others, and some species are suited to different types of exercise. Greyhounds prefer open fields to sprint around in, and Collies can handle long day hikes.
Ensure your puppy has plenty of toys to keep them entertained in the house and garden, especially if left alone for extended periods.
Puzzle games are great at keeping a dog entertained for long periods and make them work for treats. However, be warned if the puzzle is too complicated, then they may become frustrated and angry. If the puzzle is too easy, they will eat all the treats in seconds.
Spend time playing with your dog, whether that is just a bit of fetch in the park or it could be signing up for Agility school.
Scent games are great fun and are very mentally tiring for dogs. Collect egg boxes, toilet rolls, and amazon packaging. Lay them all around a room, fill some with treats and leave others empty.
Especially if you are a one-dog household, it is a great idea to let your dog spend time with other dogs. You can leave them at doggie daycare if you work a lot, or you could go to a dog club or Meet Up together at the weekend.
If you have a dog that struggles been alone, then consider getting another dog for company. If you do not have the room or budget for a second dog, then consider leaving it with family or friends when you go to work.
Yes, some whining is annoying and is an example of bad behavior and should be trained out of the dog. However, some whining is a legitimate means of communication, and you should take the time to understand it and act accordingly.