How to stop a dog or puppy from whining: simple ways


The character and behavior of a dog is directly related to its owner’s upbringing, especially if the pet came into the house as a small puppy. The reasons for this behavior are manifested in increased emotionality and nervousness of the animal. Whining is unpleasant not only for the owner, but also for the neighbors around him. So how to stop a dog from whining?

Why do dogs or puppies whine?

If you are faced with a dog whining problem, it is actually absolutely not difficult to stop your dog from howling and whining. But to achieve a positive result, you need to find out the reason why your beloved pet is whining.

Important! Barking, howling, whining, and other sounds are special means of communication through which a dog conveys its emotions and mood.

Causes of dog whining:

  • nervousness, impatience;
  • emotional overexcitation;
  • fear, fright, severe stress;
  • joy, delight
  • to attract attention;
  • loneliness;
  • pain, discomfort (heat, cold);
  • feeling of guilt, apology for the wrongdoing;
  • unrealized, overflowing energy;
  • reaction to certain stimuli.

As a rule, the most common whining is from small puppies that have been separated from their littermates and their mother dog. So they call on the mother. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that the first time after your baby arrives in your house, the baby will whine, especially at night or when the dog is left alone in the house.

This behavior is explained by the fact that the small pet has not yet adapted and is not accustomed to the new conditions. Time will pass, the dog will get used to the members of his family, and will not disturb you with such unpleasant sounds.

Important! Surround the puppy with attention and care, devote more time to the dog, and do not leave it alone for a long time.

Often the causes of whining are purely physiological in nature:

  • Dogs are quite inquisitive and impatient animals, so they whine before eating, begging you for a treat or asking for a walk, especially in the morning.
  • The dog whines if he “needs” to go to the toilet, for example, due to an upset stomach. In this way, he informs the owner about his physiological desires.
  • Puppies and young dogs often whine due to acute pain if they experience severe discomfort or are very frightened by something.

Another reason for dog whining is prolonged separation from the owner. Dogs are social animals that consider their family to be a pack . In addition, the dog is very attached and devoted to his owner.

Therefore, if you leave or leave your dog alone at home, in an enclosure, or a cage for a long time, the animal becomes very sad and feels abandoned and lonely. A dog can also whine out of simple boredom if the dog has nothing to do when he is left alone at home.

If your dog often whines at night, it may not be getting enough exercise . This is especially true for young, energetic, active dogs, individuals with an active psyche. This behavior may be caused by lack of attention during the day.

Which breeds are prone to whining?

Busy people should not take as a pet a representative of the following breeds, which are highly human-oriented and cannot be alone:

  • basset hound;
  • Bernese Mountain Dog;
  • bichon frize;
  • boxer;
  • Beauceron;
  • bulldog - American, French;
  • Brussels Griffon;
  • bull terrier;
  • Irish Setter;
  • Golden retriever;
  • Yorkshire Terrier;
  • Cane Corso;
  • Spaniel – King Charles, English Cocker;
  • Maltese;
  • pug;
  • Continental Toy Spaniel (Papillon, Phalene);
  • spaniel;
  • poodles;
  • Toy Terrier;
  • Saint Bernard;
  • chihuahua;
  • Chowchow.

When purchasing such a pet, the owner, who does not have enough time to communicate with him, will encounter not only whining. In addition, whining may turn out to be the “lesser evil”, since bored dogs can cause harm, and large dogs do this on a grand scale.

Whining at night may be a sign that the dog is not getting proper exercise. This applies to young, energetic and efficient dogs with an active psyche. Active working breeds include all service dogs, sled dogs, sports dogs, hunting dogs, and some herding dogs.

Cowardly four-legged animals can also whine if it seems to them that the people or relatives around them pose a threat. Usually this quality is not associated with the breed of the pet, but most often owners cultivate it in decorative, miniature pets - caring for, protecting and in every possible way protecting from external irritants, often doing a “disservice” to the dog.

In addition, dogs that in the past had to wander or endure beatings and humiliation from the owner can be cowardly. Pets that lack the owner’s attention can also whine, and thus they attract the owner.

What to do if your dog whines at night

As a rule, adult dogs sleep at night if their day has been eventful and active, the pet is well-fed and healthy. Therefore, most often small puppies make cutting, unpleasant sounds at night, and this is most often explained not only by a sharp change in their usual environment, but also by fear and loneliness.

Important! If the puppy is not yet three months old, the baby howls and whines at night when he is left alone or locked alone in a room, never use physical violence or yell at the small pet. But encouraging such behavior is unacceptable. Act consistently and persistently.

During the first few days, whining is quite normal. He is frightened by new surroundings, smells, sounds. Some dog breeders recommend taking your pet to the bed. But dog experts do not recommend doing this. The puppy will get used to sleeping with you and it will be difficult to accustom an older pet to a place.

To stop your puppy from whining:

  • Organize a comfortable bed or house for the new member of your family.
  • If possible, do not leave the dog alone for a long time, and especially do not lock the puppy in a crate or in another room.
  • Protect your dog from stress and negative emotions. The period of adaptation and socialization should be as calm and favorable as possible.

If the puppy is a little over a month old, at this age it is not advisable to separate him from his mother. But if this happens, place the dog bed near your bed and as soon as the baby whines, calm him down and pet him. Once the puppy calms down, praise him.

Gradually move the lounger further away from the bed and react less to whining. Pay more attention to your pet so that he gets used to his new home faster and can more easily endure separation from his mother. In order for the puppy to better cope with separation from his mother dog, ask the breeders for toys, a cloth, or things that have retained familiar smells . Place them near the bed or in the house where your small pet sleeps, and he will behave more confidently and calmly. You can also use a heating pad or a bottle filled with warm water. Wrap it in soft cloth and place it near the puppy.

If the puppy, having adapted to new conditions, continues to howl and whine at night, leave the light or night lamp on. Approach the dog and calm it down in a gentle tone. If the whining does not stop, perhaps the puppy does not want to sleep and is bored. Place toys and tooth sharpeners near the baby. After playing enough, the dog will get tired and sleep peacefully.

Gradually accustom your dog to the command “Place”, “Fu”, “No” or any other prohibition commands. Give the command in a strict tone, and as soon as the dog has shown obedience, reward it with a gentle intonation or a treat. To prevent the puppy from getting bored when you are not at home, leave him various toys. Otherwise, the dog will not only howl, but will also begin to damage furniture and wallpaper.

How to stop a dog from crying when its owner leaves?

Help your dog stop crying when left alone

  1. Establish a reliable daily routine. ...
  2. Do regular daily exercise. ...
  3. When leaving, leave the TV or radio on. ...
  4. Give him a puzzle toy. ...
  5. Reduce his sensitivity to your grooming. ...
  6. Don't put too much emphasis on grooming. ...
  7. Don't make a big deal when you get home. ...
  8. Box train.

6.07.2011

The puppy promises when he sits in another room

If the puppy has become accustomed to you and its new habitat, but continues to disturb you or makes heart-rending sounds when locked in another room, you need to be strict in your upbringing. If you constantly indulge in such behavior, pity or calm the dog, whining will become a habit, and the dog will howl for any reason.

You can ignore whining if this is how your pet attracts attention. Over time, the dog will understand that such behavior only displeases the owners. If the whining really bothers you, open the door. In a stern tone, send the dog to its place, give the command “Fu.” Repeat similar actions until the dog calms down. If all else fails, the dog continues to howl as soon as you close the door, increase the punishment, find a method that will achieve results.

How can I get rid of separation anxiety from my dog?

If the problem is easy...

  1. Give your dog a special treat (such as a puzzle toy filled with peanut butter) every time you leave. ...
  2. Make your comings and goings discreet, without much greeting. ...
  3. Leave behind recently worn clothes that smell like you.
  4. Consider giving your pet natural, over-the-counter calming supplements.

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The dog whines in the absence of its owners

There is nothing worse when a dog howls or whines under the doors, throws tantrums when he is left alone at home. The problem needs to be solved gradually.

To begin with, you can teach him to lock the dog in one of the rooms. Close the door and don't pay attention if he scratches the door or whines. After a while, open the door, scold your pet and give the forbidden command in a stern tone. You can lightly lift your pet by the scruff of the neck and slap him on the rump with a newspaper.

Once the dog calms down, praise him. Don't constantly run to your dog when he starts to tantrum and don't teach him to reward him with treats. The dog will quickly understand that whining is an effective means of attracting attention and getting treats. Repeat the exercise several times a day, increasing the time amplitude until you achieve results. If the dog starts whining as soon as you leave the house, come back and scold the dog. Give the command “Get in place!” and take him to the litter.

Advice! Do not let your dog out of the house or enclosure for a walk if the dog begins to howl. Don't open the door if he scratches or whines. Don't follow the animal's lead.

Do the same when leaving home. So that the dog doesn't get bored:

  • Leave a bone, toys, teeth sharpeners.
  • Before leaving, organize a long active walk and engage in training.
  • Feed before leaving. A tired and well-fed dog will sleep and rest when you leave home.
  • When leaving the dog alone, give the command “Place”. As soon as your pet goes to his bed, reward him.

Folk signs


Small breeds whine more often than large dogs.
There are several superstitions that are associated with this behavior of a pet:

  • If a dog constantly whines in the morning, carefully peers into the owner’s eyes and does not leave, it means he will soon get sick. With his behavior, the dog is trying to warn the owner that he should take care of his health.
  • When a dog is constantly near its owner during a walk in the fresh air and makes whining sounds, it means that a dangerous person is nearby. Therefore, when walking you need to be very attentive and watch the people around you.

People who have adopted a small dog often encounter problems such as whining, restless behavior, and howling. Many dog ​​owners don't know what to do if their puppy is constantly whining. Therefore, before buying a dog, you need to figure out how to properly raise the animal so that the dog behaves appropriately and does not bother others for no reason.

What to do if an adult dog whines: advice from dog handlers

If an adult dog whines for no reason or for other reasons, act persistently and decisively. An adult dog must be trained in forbidden commands and know its place, regardless of whether the pet is kept at home or in an enclosure. As soon as the dog starts howling or whining, use a stern tone. Alternate reprimand with encouragement. Use the same methods you would for a puppy.

Important! If an adult dog whines, such behavior is associated with errors in raising the puppy, improper adaptation and socialization of the animal.

If you adopted an adult dog from a shelter and it is not well-mannered, contact a dog trainer and take a training course. Consolidate the acquired skills after classes on walks and at home. Train the dog to the place, enclosure, cage. When locking the dog in the enclosure, give the command “Place”, praise, and pet the pet.

  • Never scold a dog if it is resting and in its place, in an enclosure, cage, house or on a bed. The place of rest and sleep is the pet’s personal territory and the dog should feel calm and confident there. If your dog whines while in his place, ignore this behavior.
  • When you let your pet out, occasionally reward good behavior with a treat. Achieve persistently, but gradually, to complete the assigned tasks. Do not burden your pet with tasks that are too much for him.
  • Teach basic commands gradually. There are no dogs that cannot be trained. There is a wrong approach to education and training. You can teach a new command when the dog has mastered the previous ones. Consider your pet’s temperament, character, and degree of emotionality. But remember that weaning an adult pet from harmful behavior is much more difficult and takes longer, so instill the right skills from an early age, but only after the adaptation period has ended.

  • Spoiled, misbehaving pets can be affected by punishment and complete indifference. Dogs are sensitive to the mood of their owner; if they are ignored or punished for wrongdoing, the dog will try to behave well so as not to upset you.
  • Don't indulge in bad habits . Once you succumb to your dog’s provocations, your pet will quickly understand that you can be manipulated. If the dog whines before eating or begging for a treat, calm the dog down and give the food after a while. Do not pet or treat your pet, no matter how much you would like to do so. Pity is not the best approach in the educational process.

Remember , a dog never whines without a reason. Therefore, before scolding or punishing her, understand the root cause of such behavior.

Proper upbringing, consistent adjustment of behavioral manners, systematic training and exercises will give positive results over time. Be patient and persistent if your dog does something wrong. Dogs learn quickly if you treat them with attention, patience and kindness.

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An important task for any owner of a four-legged friend is to understand and find the reason for the dog’s whining. Among the possible ones are illness, fear, joy, inappropriate sound vibrations, happiness or negativity when meeting a person. After an accurate determination, you need to help your friend, be patient and not scold your pet. Otherwise, you may lose the animal’s sincere love and trust.

If your pet is too active and emotional, then this can become a real problem for all family members, especially if the dog expresses its emotions by whining. What are the reasons for this behavior? And how to wean your pet from this habit?

Metal state

In a pack of wolves, howling means submission. Wild animals are accustomed to fighting and obeying leaders. So, a defeated wolf may begin to whine and lower his head when he has lost the fight. In our case, the dog may howl because he feels guilty. In this case, you should not shout at him or show emotions. You need to silently approve of his whining and leave. Thus, the dog will think that the “apology” has been accepted and he has been forgiven.

Also, whining can mean delight. Often, they whine when the owner returns home. Often, the howl is accompanied by barking, jumping and wagging of the tail. In such a case, restraint must be exercised. It’s better to wait until the dog stops whining and only then pet him and talk to him

Then he will understand that whining does not attract your attention.

In this case, you should not provoke your pet. You need to wait until he stops whining and only then decide whether to fulfill his desire or not.

Emotions and experiences

Animals are greatly frightened by sharp and loud noises outside the home. Fear makes them tremble, hide in a dark corner and whine in fear.

By whining and changing behavior, the dog expresses its emotions and experiences:

  • Joy and excitement when greeting the owner. At such a moment, he can take a pose of submission (lying on his back or side).
  • Annoyance - the goal was not achieved, the bird flutters nearby outside the window, but it is impossible to catch it.
  • Anxiety - manifests itself before the onset and during the bitch's heat. Running around the apartment, the animal cannot find a place for itself.
  • Pretending to have done something wrong - chewed a slipper, broke something, tore up the sofa or tore the curtains, and then demonstrates sincere “repentance” for the offense.
  • Fear – when the owner is not in the house, the pet worries about “what’s wrong with him” and when he will return. If the neighbors hear something, they will probably tell you.
  • Anxiety - moving, a new family member now lives in the house, a trip to the groomer or to the veterinary clinic.
  • Jealousy – the owner smells like someone else’s dog or he doesn’t notice the pet and spends time only with family members.

Advice: Emotional reasons can be eliminated by socialization, education and correct behavior of the owner. And instincts (reactions to certain situations) are short-term in nature, and the health of animals does not suffer from them. You can ignore them or support your pet with a friendly dialogue.

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