Your dogs constant whining can drive you to distraction in no time at all. It's one of those noises that's impossible to ignore, because it seems to reach you wherever you are in the house and many of our dogs use it to their advantage.
It can be hard to understand why your dog is whining too - and quite what you can do about it. Our natural reaction is to reassure our dogs, but sometimes that can seem to make them do it all the more. Whether your dog whines at night, or when they're in their crate, or every time you walk out the room, its going to make life a bit more stressful for you.
Pinpointing the reason behind your dogs whining can be difficult. Afterall, if you feed your dog properly, exercise it regularly, look after their health and lavish them with love an affection, what would your dog have to whine about?
How To Identify Why Your Dog Is Whining
There's an easy two step system I use for deciding why a dog is whining which I've used for more than 10 years as a dog trainer. Its based on there being only 2 main reasons why a dog whines.
I also know that to tackle this behaviour problem successfully you must first identify which of the two areas that your dogs behaviour falls into because each of the areas requires a different approach.
Attention Seeking Can Drive Dog Whining
Attention seeking behaviour shows itself in many ways, some of it makes you laugh, other behaviour makes you say 'aah how cute', and some can make you very angry. the aim is always the same though - to get your attention when they want it. Notice where your dog is when he whines, is he doing it while you're in the same room and is he trying to catch your eye. See how you react to your dog too, do you stop what you're doing and give him a reassuring pat, do you get up and go and find him, or do you shout to get him to stop?
So, if you're paying your dog attention every time he whines, even if you're annoyed, your dog is likely to carry on doing it because for some, even negative attention is attention and they are getting what they want.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs is Also a Strong Driver for Dog Whining
Secondly, if your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, this could be the trigger for his whining. Again, look at what starts them off. Do they whine the minute they are separated from you, even if you just nipped into the next room? Do they whine at night when they are downstairs and you're sleeping upstairs? Ask your neighbours if your dog whines when you're out, becasue thats another clear indicator of separation anxiety in dogs.
A recent survey suggested up to 50% of dogs show signs of separation anxiety, but sadly it often goes untreated for a long time as the behaviour because owners simply think their dog is behaving badly and needs more training, rather than realising that the behavior is actually caused by the anxiety.
If you'd like to know more about the symptoms of dog separation anxiety and why it drives dogs to behaving in particular ways, I wrote an informative free report about it based on my work with dogs, that you can get from my website.
How to use Training Techniques to Stop Dogs Whining
Training is the only long lasting way to stop dog whining for either of the scenarios we have discussed. There is absolutely no need to punish your dog, or use shocks or sprays to stop this behaviour.
If you think you're dealing with attention seeking behaviour from your dog, the only way to get them to stop is to pay them no attention when they start whining. That means you don't look at, speak to, or touch your dog. Dogs will only continue to use behaviour that works and if it doesn't, they'll stop. If you want to speed up the process, you can also show your dog that whining will have a negative effect and they will lose access to their pack. This is a strong motivator for a dog as they are a pack animal and their instincts are not to excluded.
For example, let say you have some visitors around and put your dog in the crate - where he promptly start whining. If your dog can see you at this stage, without looking at or saying anything to your dog, you could move out of view, or leave the room to show them that this behaviour will lose them the pack.
As soon as they stop whining you could return to the room or move back into view. It's simple but surprisingly effective. What is crucial is that you are consistent in not responding to your dogs whining either by speaking to or looking at your dog.
Sadly, if the whining happens because your dog is experiencing separation anxiety, it is not so straightforward to deal with because the problem exists on two different levels. First the behaviour needs to be dealt with by slowly building up the time you spent apart, and secondly you need to deal with a much bigger leadership issue.
If you think your dog is suffering from separation anxiety you really need to find out more about it, so that you are definate that this is the problem you are dealing with. Consult with your vet, or speak with a dog professional if you're not sure, before you start training.
It can be hard to understand why your dog is whining too - and quite what you can do about it. Our natural reaction is to reassure our dogs, but sometimes that can seem to make them do it all the more. Whether your dog whines at night, or when they're in their crate, or every time you walk out the room, its going to make life a bit more stressful for you.
Pinpointing the reason behind your dogs whining can be difficult. Afterall, if you feed your dog properly, exercise it regularly, look after their health and lavish them with love an affection, what would your dog have to whine about?
How To Identify Why Your Dog Is Whining
There's an easy two step system I use for deciding why a dog is whining which I've used for more than 10 years as a dog trainer. Its based on there being only 2 main reasons why a dog whines.
I also know that to tackle this behaviour problem successfully you must first identify which of the two areas that your dogs behaviour falls into because each of the areas requires a different approach.
Attention Seeking Can Drive Dog Whining
Attention seeking behaviour shows itself in many ways, some of it makes you laugh, other behaviour makes you say 'aah how cute', and some can make you very angry. the aim is always the same though - to get your attention when they want it. Notice where your dog is when he whines, is he doing it while you're in the same room and is he trying to catch your eye. See how you react to your dog too, do you stop what you're doing and give him a reassuring pat, do you get up and go and find him, or do you shout to get him to stop?
So, if you're paying your dog attention every time he whines, even if you're annoyed, your dog is likely to carry on doing it because for some, even negative attention is attention and they are getting what they want.
Separation Anxiety in Dogs is Also a Strong Driver for Dog Whining
Secondly, if your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, this could be the trigger for his whining. Again, look at what starts them off. Do they whine the minute they are separated from you, even if you just nipped into the next room? Do they whine at night when they are downstairs and you're sleeping upstairs? Ask your neighbours if your dog whines when you're out, becasue thats another clear indicator of separation anxiety in dogs.
A recent survey suggested up to 50% of dogs show signs of separation anxiety, but sadly it often goes untreated for a long time as the behaviour because owners simply think their dog is behaving badly and needs more training, rather than realising that the behavior is actually caused by the anxiety.
If you'd like to know more about the symptoms of dog separation anxiety and why it drives dogs to behaving in particular ways, I wrote an informative free report about it based on my work with dogs, that you can get from my website.
How to use Training Techniques to Stop Dogs Whining
Training is the only long lasting way to stop dog whining for either of the scenarios we have discussed. There is absolutely no need to punish your dog, or use shocks or sprays to stop this behaviour.
If you think you're dealing with attention seeking behaviour from your dog, the only way to get them to stop is to pay them no attention when they start whining. That means you don't look at, speak to, or touch your dog. Dogs will only continue to use behaviour that works and if it doesn't, they'll stop. If you want to speed up the process, you can also show your dog that whining will have a negative effect and they will lose access to their pack. This is a strong motivator for a dog as they are a pack animal and their instincts are not to excluded.
For example, let say you have some visitors around and put your dog in the crate - where he promptly start whining. If your dog can see you at this stage, without looking at or saying anything to your dog, you could move out of view, or leave the room to show them that this behaviour will lose them the pack.
As soon as they stop whining you could return to the room or move back into view. It's simple but surprisingly effective. What is crucial is that you are consistent in not responding to your dogs whining either by speaking to or looking at your dog.
Sadly, if the whining happens because your dog is experiencing separation anxiety, it is not so straightforward to deal with because the problem exists on two different levels. First the behaviour needs to be dealt with by slowly building up the time you spent apart, and secondly you need to deal with a much bigger leadership issue.
If you think your dog is suffering from separation anxiety you really need to find out more about it, so that you are definate that this is the problem you are dealing with. Consult with your vet, or speak with a dog professional if you're not sure, before you start training.
About the Author:
Before you take any more moves to eliminate your dog whining problems, read Tony Knight's information packed report on dog anxiety symptoms to help you make the right choice for your dog.
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