Whining Dog Cures

Dog whining has many causes, including attention-seeking, anxiety, excitement and pain. Puppies tend to whine more than adult dogs as a reaction to an impending need, such as the need to urinate or defecate, or hunger. When puppies get older they tend to whine less, but some dogs whine in reaction to everything. Whining can be grating and annoying for the dog owner, but there are ways to help cease the whining.

  1. Solve the Problem

    • Determine the reason for your dog's whining and try to eliminate that reason. If the dog is restless, make sure it has had enough exercise. Take it for a long walk, if necessary, recommends veterinarian Nicholas Dodman from Pet Place. If the dog is bored, provide fun toys and praise it for playing quietly rather than whining. If the dog needs to eliminate, take it outside immediately to avoid an accident. If the dog appears to be in pain, take it to the veterinarian for a checkup. If the dog is anxious, try to determine what is causing the anxiety and eliminate it, if possible. For severe anxiety problems, consult a professional animal behaviorist.

    Distraction

    • Distraction is a good technique for dogs that whine for attention. Rather than reacting to the incessant whining by getting frustrated and yelling, give your dog a toy and encourage it to play quietly and calmly. When your dog whines from excitement, distract it by asking for an incompatible behavior, such as a sit, and reward your dog when it complies.

    Ignoring

    • One of the ways to deal with a whining dog is to ignore it. This works especially well for dogs that whine during crate training, according to the Humane Society of the United States, but also works for dogs that whine for attention. By ignoring the whining, you are choosing not to reinforce the behavior by reacting. Wait until your dog stops whining, even for a second, and praise it, giving a treat if one is at hand. Repeat this enough and your dog will realize that whining does not get attention, but calm, quiet behavior does. It can be difficult to ignore a whining dog, but it is worth it in the long run.