Puppy Whining - How To Stop It

Puppy whining comes very naturally to puppies when they are hungry, cold or tired. The mother dog will react to puppy whining by providing warmth, milk, and a secure sleeping place.

Over time, the puppy will begin to associate the two actions and will start to whine on purpose. This lets the puppy's mother know that something is wrong or he needs something.

A puppy should be adopted between 8 and 10 weeks old. It's at this time that puppies learn that whining doesn't have any affect with their new family; or they may use whining to manipulate their new mother (you!) into giving them what they want.

It is for this reason that the general opinion is that a new puppy should be left alone on his first night in your home. If you react to puppy whining with sympathy, cooing, cuddling etc., your dog is sure to think that whining will get him what he wants.

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Of course, this will require good judgment and common sense on your part. A frightened puppy will require affection, reassurance and attention. The secret is to respond quickly so he doesn't think that puppy whining is what got the desired result. Your pup must not be conditioned to whine every time he wants something.

You should teach your puppy to be comfortable with isolation and privacy by leaving him alone even when you are at home. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when you leave the home. When you know that all your puppy's physical needs have been met and you have taken the time to accustom him to isolation, then you must teach him that whining is unacceptable.

This does not mean that a puppy that is really worked up, whining, and crying, should be cold-bloodedly ignored. When he has stopped whining, you should show him some attention and calm him down. It is not always possible to wait until your puppy has stopped whining completely as some puppies will whine for hours.

If this is the case, there is no need to prolong your puppy's suffering – seize your chance when he stops whining, if just for a few seconds, and open the door of the crate. This is less than ideal but is probably the best you'll be able to do under the circumstances.

Most dogs have grown out of puppy whining by the time they are six months old. A puppy that continues to whine after this period is either doing it instinctively, or has learnt that it helps to get him what he wants.

To learn more about how to handle dog whining, see Stop Dog Whining (page 2).

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