How to Keep a Puppy From Whining When Alone

Puppies hate being left alone.

Puppies are cute, but come with a lot of problems such as whining when left alone. Puppies whine, cry or even howl when alone because they are lonely, explains Liz Palika, author of “Puppy Love.” Young puppies that have just been weaned have never been alone. Puppies whine in order to bring others to them. Over time, this whining can develop into a life-long habit. The more times a puppy can get through periods of being alone, the more confident it will get.

Things You'll Need

• Dog bed or house training crate
• Scented item from you or dog’s breeder
• Radio or television
• Puppy chew toys

Instructions

1. Bring the puppy and other items to a house training crate or room with a dog bed.

2. Leave a scented item with the puppy. Before bringing a new puppy home, ask the breeder for a blanket or towel used to line the nest. This item retains the familiar smells of the puppy’s first home – litter mates and its mother. For older puppies, leave an unwashed t-shirt with the puppy. It smells like you.

3. Turn on a radio or television before you leave the home or room. This can help a puppy feel as if it is not alone.

4. Give the puppy something to do when alone in a room or in a house training crate. Leave chew toys to keep the puppy occupied. Only give these toys when the puppy is to be alone, which helps make being alone more attractive to the puppy.

Tips & Warnings

• Puppies under six months old cannot retain their urine all night. Puppies also whine when they need to go outside. Although you are going to the puppy when it whines, do not play with the puppy during potty breaks. Take the puppy immediately outside and back to the crate.

• As an alternative to a scented item for newly-weaned puppies, substitute a ticking clock. Wrap the ticking clock up in a layer of towels so the puppy does not chew the clock. The clock mimics the mother’s heartbeat, which a puppy is used to hearing, states “The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Dogs, Dogs Breeds & Dog Care.” Some commercial soft puppy toys are made with a heartbeat sound.

• Never reprimand, hit or yell at a puppy crying or whining from loneliness, especially if it has just been separated from its mother and litter mates. Acting angry will only reinforce its anxiety and make it whine more.

References

• "Puppy Love"; Liz Palika
• "The Dog Bible"; Tracie Hotchner
• Pet Planner Canada: Checklist
• The Humane Society of the United States: Crate Training
• "The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Dogs, Dogs Breeds & Dog Care"; Dr. Peter Larkin & Mike Stockman

Resources

• Pet Place: Dealing with Whining Dogs