Sudden whinning

Question
I had a dog that recently, 3 months ago, passed away.  I also have a 6
year old black lab that in the past 2 weeks has suddenly started whinning.
She would whine when my husband left for work but as the days passed, it
would happen at different times of the day and more often.  She came by me
and I rubbed her upper chest and she was fine.  I started rubbing her
belly and she started to whine.  Is she missing our dog that passed away
or maybe has a health problem? She never whinned before our other dog
passed.   Thank you

Answer
Hi Marty,

Doubtless your 6 year old dog knows that your other dog is gone, and may have been depressed during the first few weeks after the loss, but since three months have passed since the other dog's passing, your remaining dog has most likely adjusted, in most ways but it sounds like there is an exception.

Whining, (as well as crying, barking and howling) often result when a dog is left alone. I am willing to bet that your surviving dog was never alone when you'd leave the house for the day. She had her canine companion.

The reason excessive whining continues is because the dog has learned that whining, gets what she wants, which in her case seems to be attention and affection. I guess there are worse things she could be demanding.
Often what starts out as a demand whining soon becomes an unconscious whining habit.

To prevent whining habit, teach your dog to accept short periods of confinement before leaving her alone for long periods of time. Spend time with your dog in the area where she is left and show her that this is a fun place to be. If she starts whining or howling when you leave, don't rush back to let her out or reassure her. If you do, she will soon learn that she can control you with her whining blackmail. However, the whining or crying continues then she probably is not yet comfortable in her confinement area. Spend a little more time with her there. Then when you leave, it she continues barking, whining, give her a loud and stern 'NO!' After she has been quiet for a few moments, return and praise her lavishly. Practice leaving and returning several times so she becomes accustomed to your departures and realizes that you are not abandoning her forever. She will see that you will return and there's nothing to worry about. Practice leaving her for longer and longer periods of time.

If your dog is whining when you are at home, either for attention or just out of habit, the first step in stopping this is to provide your dog with daily routines of play, exercise and training. Often these special times of undivided attention will stop the dog from whining the rest of the day. Secondly, pay attention to your dog only when he is quiet. Ignore her whenever she begins demanding your attention by whining. Each time you give in to your dog's whining demands, you are training her to continue whining. If you want a few moments of peace, you can teach the dog to be quiet on request. Gently ask your dog to please "Stop Whining." If she ignores you and continues whining, immediately shout a very loud, 'STOP WHINING!' or squirt the dog in the face with water. After a few repetitions, the dog will get the idea and obey the first gentle request of "Stop Whining," rather than get scolded or doused with water.

Once you have gotten your dog's "demanding" habits under control, you might want to consider adopting another dog, since your 6 year old seems to miss a canine companion.

If you don't want to go through all that a new puppy entails, perhaps you'd consider adopting an adult dog. There are many breed specific rescue groups with wonderful dogs in need of a "forever home". Many rescue dogs are already trained, up to date on shots, and have been screened for temperament. A few rescue groups I know of will even pay all vet bills for the animals entire life, if you adopt an older dog.
If this sounds like something you'd like to know more about, feel free to get back to me with your city or the region of the country which you live in. I'd be happy to provide you with additional information on rescue groups in your area.

Best of luck,
Patti