Do you often find your pet whining every time? If yes, then this article is just the right thing you need.
Before we dive into how to deal with your whining dog, there’s something you should know about this abnormal pet behavior.
Just like barking and growling, whining is the way a pet expresses itself. From stress and separation anxiety to asking for attention and treats, the reasons why your dog is whining could be endless.
But it’s you who need to be careful about how you react to your dog’s whining. For instance, if your dog is whining for treats and you give them to your furry friend, that’s wrong. By doing this, you are setting up an impression that your dog just has to whine to get treats. And that’s going to be a problem for you.
Encouraging such behavior, even unintentionally, can turn into a huge mess. You might even end up with a pup that keeps on whining excessively. But don’t worry! There’s something you can do to calm your dog’s whining behavior or maybe even stop it. For this, you just need to pay attention to your pet’s whining behavior and find out why he is behaving miserably. Here we have enlisted some reasons why your pet could be whining and what you can do about it
To seek your attention
Dogs are blessed with clingy nature. That’s probably why they are one of your best friends. And one of the most important reasons why they whine is because they might feel a bit left out from your life.
This need for attention might also turn into separation anxiety. For those who don’t know, it’s the condition where your pup can’t bear staying away from you. He might start crying or fidgeting right before you are about to leave. If not addressed adequately, your furry friend might start turning your home upside down.
Suppose you find your dog urinating or defacing indoors, or damaging windows. In that case, it’s high time to adhere to your pooch’s separation anxiety. Also, If you find your dog whining every time you work or play with other pets, there’s a huge chance that your pup needs attention.
But resist succumbing to the temptation of picking up, kissing, or petting your doggo.
Once your pooch is done whining, take him for a walk or start playing fetch. You can also hug or pet your dog every time you come back to him from work. Try taking your pet for some dog training sessions to keep his mind off of you. You can also introduce your pet to some toys and games to keep him busy when you aren’t able to pay attention. This will not only meet your dog’s attention needs but will also discourage the miserable behavior healthily.
Indicating stress, anxiousness, and depression
Yes, dogs do have a hard time dealing with mental illness. You’ll be surprised to know that it’s really common for dogs to whine when they feel anxious, depressed, or afraid.
According to the veterinarians, this type of whining could be accompanied by appeasement gestures such as yawning, averting the eyes, and lip licking. If you find your pooch whining and yawning at the same time, there’s a huge chance that your dog might be feeling anxious or depressed. Cowering, flattened ears, and a tucked tale are some of the signs of fear that go hand in hand with whining.
Appeasement gestures are signals your dog uses to try and stay calm. As mentioned earlier, separation anxiety can also create a huge impact on your pooch’s mind. But the good news is that you can help your furry friend deal with these signs, signals, and whining.
For instance, suppose your dog is suffering from stress or depression; you can keep the radio on to ease your pet’s mind. Or you can also go for agility training and obedience training sessions to boost your dog’s confidence. And if you want to make sure that your furry friend doesn’t miss you while you’re away, make sure you make necessary arrangements before you leave.
Try being polite and happy around your pet to create a positive environment. Make sure that your fur baby has plenty of toys and exercises to channel his physical and emotional energy.
Expressing pain or discomfort
Just like humans cry to cope with pain and discomfort, dogs have their own way of expressing their plight to their parents. According to veterinarian experts, dogs whine if they are feeling sick or something is bothering them.
For instance, if you see your dog whining when he lays down, he might be having severe joint pain. And if you wind him whining at night, chances are he might not be able to sleep due to his breathing problems.
In fact, suppose you feel that your dog starts showing abnormal behavior after eating something. In that case, there could be something wrong with his digestive system. In that case, put him up on a healthy or bland diet and stick with food that includes simple and easy-to-process ingredients. Feed him plain cooked white rice or boiled chicken. If you feel that whining is starting to ease after a change in dietary habits, you can stick with the diet to keep your pooch happy.
Although, older dogs with chronic illness use whining as a coping mechanism to get them through pain and calm themselves down rather than seek attention.
If your dog is whining and cannot locate the reason, take an immediate trip to your vet. The healthcare professional will look into possible medical issues and help in dismissing your dog’s whining.
To sum it all up
A whining dog is undoubtedly irritating. Not to mention that it shows there’s something wrong with your dog’s mental or physical health. Now that you know the reasons behind your dog’s whining, use the tips mentioned above and discourage the behaviors in the best way possible.
Although, if you feel that the behavior is resistant, you might want to take extra help from a dog trainer or behaviorist. Just be patient, and you’ll have a happy dog in no time.