Stop Dog Whining

Note: This is page 2 on how to stop dog whining. For page 1, go to: Puppy Whining.

Adult dogs whine for several reasons:

Loneliness or boredom
Being in pain
Anxiety or fear
Need to eliminate

If you are looking for the best dog training guides to stop your dog from whining, I recommend that you check out Secrets to Dog Training and Dove Cresswell's Puppy & Dog Training Online.

How you stop dog whining will depend on the reason for it. Sometimes, your dog's whining will be in attempt to manipulate you; other times, it will be justified and you should respond. The usual reasons for whining are listed below, along with recommended ways for you to respond:

Whining due to pain

If your dog suddenly starts to whine and keeps it up, he may be whining because he is in pain. This doesn't only apply to older dogs; young dogs and puppies can suffer severe growing pains. Check your dog over if you feel that he is in pain. Firstly, you should check to see if he is favoring a particular leg or side of his body, or holding a paw off the ground. Check his body and face for splinters and scratches.

The next step is to gently examine your dog's legs and joints for injuries and signs of inflammation such as arthritis. Stroke each leg with your hands, giving the joints a gentle squeeze. You should also rub your hand over his tail to see if there any lumps. If you can't find any obvious reason for your dog's distress but you believe that he is whining due to pain, a visit to the vet's office is necessary.

Whining due to loneliness or boredom

A dog that is whining due to loneliness or boredom will probably be pacing or following his owner around, and whining aimlessly to himself. Exercise is the best way to stop dog whining due to boredom. Take your dog out for a fast walk, and try to increase the amount of daily exercise he receives. Tired dogs are rarely bored.

If loneliness is the reason for your dog's whining, he needs you to spend more interactive and quality time with him. If you don't have much spare time to devote to your dog, you must make the most of the time you are able to spend together (e.g., train, groom, play, cuddle).

Whining due to anxiety or fear

It is usually easy to recognize when a dog is whining due to anxiety or fear. When your dog is afraid, there is normally an obvious reason such as a high wind that is rattling the windows or a thunderstorm that is scaring him. A dog that is anxious may have no tangible reason for his nervousness. He may be picking up on your stressed attitude or perhaps his daily routine has been changed.

Do not correct or punish your dog for whining due to anxiety or fear – this would only add to your dog's stress and make the whining even worse. You should always discourage this kind of whining by ignoring your dog. This is difficult to do as the natural reaction is to give your dog sympathy. However, it is the best way to react. Giving your dog sympathy and patting him will not comfort him, it will make him even more worried, as you will have validated his fear.

By giving your dog a soothing pat and comforting words, it will make your dog feel that he has a valid reason to be afraid, and he will become even more worried. This is why you need to completely ignore the whining. Instead of molly-coddling your dog, play with him to distract him, or give him some obedience training to take is mind off what is making him anxious.

Whining because he needs to eliminate

First of all, congratulate yourself and your dog as this is an indication of a well-trained dog. His need to eliminate is sufficiently strong to make him whine about it, but he's learned not to make a mess in the house. He's also smart enough to let you know that he has to go outside.

There's an easy way to stop dog whining in this instance. If he's standing by the door or has the "Let me out now!" expression on his face, you should let him out. It's that simple.

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