How to Stop Dog Whining

Your dog tries to communicate through whining.

If your dog begins to whine, it's trying to express specific emotions or desires. A dog initially learns to whine as a puppy to get care from its mother. Whining becomes an automatic response to gain food or warmth. Eventually a dog will begin to understand that whining can gain attention, even if it's for the wrong reasons. If your dog understands that whining will get a response from you, then it will continue the behavior. Stopping your dog's whining means helping your dog understand that you won't respond to its whining.

Things You'll Need

• Dog treats
• Dog appeasing pheromone electric (DAP) diffuser
• Dog toys

Instructions

1. Calm your dog down and allow it to relax if your dog whines when it becomes tired after playing. Dogs can whine out of frustration and this is its way of saying it's had enough.

2. Ignore your dog if it whines to get your attention. Refuse to look directly at your dog, touch it or talk to it, suggests the the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

3. Walk away from your dog when it continues to whine to seek attention. Reinforce good behavior with your dog when it understands that whining won't get results. Offer a dog treat when your dog no longer whines.

4. Distract your dog if it whines because of anxiety. Provide a safe haven and use a dog-appeasing pheromone electric diffuser, recommends Vetinfo. A DAP diffuser releases calming scents, which can help reduce your dog's stress level.

5. Give your dog its favorite toy when it whines out of excitement. If your dog whines when you invite guests into your home, soothe your dog with a calm voice. Allow your dog to become accustomed to strangers by smelling each person's hand.

6. Train your dog to accept your absence if your dog whines from separation anxiety. Leave a few times a day until you can leave your dog unattended for a longer duration during the day.

7. 

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid yelling or scolding your dog for whining. This may cause your dog to continue its negative behavior.

References

• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Whining
• Vetinfo: How to Stop Dog Whining; 2010
• Vetinfo: Dog Whining; 2010

Resources

• PetPlace: Dealing with Whining Dogs; Dr. Nicholas Dodman