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Written by Crystal Moore | Updated on 16/07/24
Vet approved by Dr Emma Chandley
Whining, like many other forms of vocal communication, such as barking, can be your dog's way of telling you something. Many dog owners experience their dogs' all-too-familiar whining, and it can be quite challenging to decode the reasons behind their persistent pleas. From seeking attention to expressing pain or discomfort, you will better understand what your dog is asking from you and how to put a stop to it.
Whining is one form of your dog's acoustic communication. According to researchers, dog whining is an indicator "of stressful arousal but also greeting and attention-seeking behaviours".
Whining is characterised as a high-pitched sound and can often be repetitive and prolonged. Researchers found that dogs whine at a higher frequency with their mouths closed than with their mouths open.
There are several reasons why your dog may whine, and understanding their motivations is crucial to deciphering what your dog is trying to tell or ask from you.
Dogs whine for attention to communicate their desire for interaction and companionship. The MSD Veterinary Manual states that "dogs are highly social animals and are well adapted to living in groups." Being social animals, they naturally seek connection with their human companions. When they feel lonely, bored, or in need of affection, they may resort to whining to capture your attention and engage with you.
It's important to note that dogs are highly perceptive and quickly learn that whining can garner attention. If they receive attention or rewards when they whine, they may continue the behaviour as a learned strategy to get what they want.
Dogs often whine to greet as a way of expressing their excitement, happiness, and anticipation when encountering their owners or other animals. Greeting whines are typically accompanied by wagging tails, jumping up, and overall exuberant body language.
This behaviour is particularly common when you return home after being away for some time, as they associate your arrival with joy and companionship.
When dogs whine for appeasement, they often display specific physical cues. These include a lowered head, a tucked tail, and a crouched posture. In these situations, your dog may be trying to diffuse potential conflicts or tense situations, communicate submissiveness, or seek reassurance. Recognising these signs can help dog owners and trainers better understand their pets' behaviour.
Similarly, in social interactions, dogs may whine to signal their non-threatening intentions and to express submission towards other dogs.
Dogs may whine out of anxiety as a way to express their distress and seek comfort. Anxiety can stem from various sources, such as separation anxiety, fear of loud noises (fireworks), unfamiliar environments, or certain triggers. Whining is one of the ways dogs communicate their unease and attempt to cope with their anxious feelings.
Separation anxiety is a common cause of anxiety-related whining. When dogs are separated from their owners, they can experience extreme distress and exhibit behaviours like whining, pacing, destructive chewing, or excessive salivating. Whining, in these cases, is a plea for their owner's return and a way to alleviate their anxiety.
Understanding that dogs may whine when injured is crucial, as it's their way of communicating pain and discomfort. This vocalisation is a clear sign that they are experiencing physical pain. In addition to whining, your dog may also show other signs of distress, such as antisocial or aggressive behaviour, changes in appetite, excessive grooming, heavy panting, mobility issues and more, as stated by Vets Now.
It's essential to observe your dog's behaviour and, if necessary, seek veterinary attention to diagnose and address the injury adequately.
Dogs may whine to communicate that they are scared and seek comfort. Whining is a natural response to fear and serves to vocalise their distress.
When dogs encounter something that triggers fear, they may resort to whining to seek reassurance from their owners.
Whining when scared can be accompanied by other fear-related behaviours. These may include a slowly wagging tail, trembling, hiding, or attempting to run away. Recognising these signs can help you better understand your dog's fear and respond appropriately.
Dogs may whine when they're bored to seek attention, stimulation, and interaction. When dogs lack mental and physical exercise, they can become restless and exhibit attention-seeking behaviours, including whining.
Whining due to boredom is a form of communication, expressing their desire for engagement and activity. Dogs are very curious animals and do a lot of exploring by sniffing their surroundings. Dogs thrive on mental stimulation and physical exercise, which are just as important as one another. When they feel understimulated or lack opportunities for play and exploration, they may resort to whining to capture your attention and alleviate their boredom.
As you now know, there are various reasons why your dog is whining. Excessive whining can be challenging, but with consistent effort and a little patience, you can address the underlying cause and help your dog to communicate in alternative ways.
Here are the initial points to address to reduce or stop the excessive whining:
Pay close attention to your dog's behaviour and recall any previous or current events that may have triggered your dog to whine. Has your dog gotten enough exercise and mental stimulation? Is there an animal or person causing your dog to become scared, or have you left them alone?
Take your dog on their usual walk and include additional activities such as a ball game to ensure they've had enough physical exercise. Just as importantly, engage your dog's mind with puzzle toys, interactive games and training sessions using natural dog treats. Both physical exercise and mental stimulation will tire your dog out and reduce the likeliness of them whining.
Ensure that your dog has access to fresh water at all times and that their dietary requirements have been met depending on the time of day.
If you leave your dog alone, guarantee they have gone to the toilet to avoid discomfort and accidents whilst you're away.
Provide toys and possibly even an interactive toy, such as a Kong filled with natural dog treats, to keep them occupied. Finally, create a comfy environment to make your dog feel safe and comfortable.
Be mindful of unintentionally reinforcing your dog's whining behaviour. Whilst it's important to provide comfort and attention when needed, rewarding your dog's whining can inadvertently reinforce the behaviour. Avoid giving in to their demands or offering attention immediately when they whine. Instead, wait for a moment of silence or calmness before providing attention or rewards. This helps teach them that whining does not lead to immediate gratification and encourages them to explore other ways of communication.
If your dog is excessively whining because they are seeking attention, it's crucial to find a balance between meeting your dog's emotional needs and setting boundaries. Providing regular exercise, mental stimulation, and quality time together can help fulfil their social requirements and reduce attention-seeking behaviours. Additionally, reinforcing calm behaviour and rewarding silence can help to discourage excessive whining.
It's important to respond positively to greeting whines to reinforce their social bond and make your dog feel acknowledged. However, similarly to your dog jumping up as a greeting behaviour, it's essential to establish boundaries and encourage a calm demeanour during greetings, as overly excited whining can be overwhelming. You can help your dog develop polite and controlled greetings over time by rewarding and reinforcing calm behaviour.
It's essential to respond to appeasement whining with understanding and patience. Scolding or reprimanding your dog can exacerbate their anxiety. Providing a calm and reassuring environment, along with positive reinforcement for confident behaviour, can help build their confidence and reduce the frequency of appeasement whining over time.
It's vital to address anxiety-related whining with compassion and understanding. Creating a safe and secure environment, gradually exposing your dog to their fears through desensitisation techniques, counter-conditioning and providing positive reinforcement for calm behaviour. All this can help alleviate your dog's anxiety.
Providing immediate medical care and appropriate pain management is crucial to alleviate their suffering. Administering first aid, if safe to do so, and transporting them to a veterinarian for a thorough examination are necessary steps in ensuring their well-being.
It's important to handle an injured dog with care and to avoid exacerbating their pain. Remain calm and speak soothingly to them while attending to their needs. Reassurance and gentle physical contact can help comfort them during this difficult time.
As your dog's trusted companion, it's important to provide a calm and reassuring presence for your scared dog. Comforting them with a soothing tone of voice, gentle physical contact, and creating a safe environment can help alleviate their fear and provide them with a sense of security.
However, it's crucial to strike a balance between comforting and reinforcing fearful behaviour. Excessive reassurance or coddling may inadvertently reinforce their fear. Instead, focus on providing a calm and confident demeanour, using positive reinforcement techniques to reward your dog's calm behaviour, and gradually exposing them to the source of fear through desensitisation and counter-conditioning techniques.
If your dog's fear and accompanying whining persist or worsen, consulting with a professional dog trainer or behaviourist is recommended. They can provide further guidance and develop a tailored plan to help your dog overcome their fears and build confidence.
It's crucial to provide your dog with regular exercise, both physically and mentally. Engage them in activities such as interactive toys, puzzle feeders, obedience training, or interactive play sessions. This helps channel their energy and keeps their minds occupied, reducing boredom-induced whining.
Additionally, establish a consistent routine that incorporates regular dog walks and outdoor playtime.
If your dog whines persistently out of boredom, it may indicate that they require more physical exercise and mental stimulation. Increasing the duration or intensity of exercise sessions, introducing new toys or activities, or considering interactive playdates with other dogs can help alleviate their boredom and decrease whining behaviour.
If you are experiencing little to no improvement, consulting with a professional dog trainer or behaviourist is essential. They will provide you with valuable guidance and assistance tailored to your dog.
A vet’s thoughts on dogs whining, Emma Chandley BVetMed PGCertSAS MRCVS
From a veterinary perspective, it's essential first to conduct a thorough examination to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing your dog discomfort or pain, resulting in them whining. Whining can sometimes be a sign of a medical issue, therefore a diagnostic workup may be necessary.
In a lot of cases, whining is a form of communication for dogs. They may be seeking attention due to factors such as boredom, or insufficient mental or physical stimulation. They may be craving some sort of social interaction. There may have been recent changes in their routine that have disrupted their usual schedule, or they may be craving more playtime or walks. It's also important to consider the possibility that your dog has inadvertently learned that whining is an effective way to get what they want, such as a cuddle, a treat, or even just a reaction from you.
To address whining behaviour, it is important to try to identify potential triggers and establish a more consistent routine for our dogs. This routine should incorporate mental stimulation activities, focused attention, playtime, and opportunities to fulfill their social needs. Additionally, positive reinforcement techniques can be used to reward calm behaviour and discourage whining. By implementing these strategies, it is possible to find more appropriate ways to communicate our dog’s needs and ensure a more harmonious household.
Ignoring a whining dog can be an effective strategy in certain situations, but using it appropriately and in moderation is vital. Ignoring a whining dog can help discourage attention-seeking behaviours and prevent inadvertently reinforcing the whining. However, ensuring that your dog's needs are met and that the whining is not due to distress or an urgent need is crucial.
Differentiating between attention-seeking whining and other forms of whining can be challenging, but some cues can help you understand your dog's behaviour better.
Here are a few signs to look for:
Context and timing
Response to attention
Meeting basic needs
Behavioural patterns
While these cues can provide insights, it's important to remember that every dog is unique, and their behaviours may vary. If you are unsure about the underlying cause of your dog's whining, consulting with a professional dog trainer or a veterinarian specialising in behaviour can provide further guidance and help you understand your dog's specific needs and motivations.
Yes, whining for attention is a relatively common behaviour in dogs. Dogs are social animals that thrive on companionship and interaction with their owners. Whining can be their way of seeking attention, affection, or engagement.
When your dog feels they are not receiving the desired level of attention or when they want something, they may resort to whining as a means of communication. It can be especially common in dogs that have yet to be adequately trained or have learned that whining is an effective way to get their needs met.
However, it's important to note that while attention-seeking whining is common, it should not be encouraged or reinforced excessively. Consistently giving in to your dog's demands when they whine can inadvertently reinforce their behaviour, leading to more frequent whining episodes.
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