Stop Your Dogs Whining

As much as we love our canine companions, a dog that is incessantly barking or whining can sour the the best relationship between the dog, hie owner and the people that live in their vicinity. While it is normal for sOME barking, even in a well behaved dog, what do you do when your dog is overtly vocal?

1. Listen to your dog. It is not whining without a reason and instead of trying to get the dog to shut up, you will do well to find out what the problem is. Perhaps someone has attempted to enter the yard and your dog is chomping at the bit to get out and mark its territory. Maybe it spotted an animal, lacks food or water, or maybe a hurtful little spur got tangled in its fur. Check on the animal to make sure all its needs are met and then work outward and see if there is something external that might be causing the whining.

2. Whining is a distinct sign that your dog is in distress. Many alert owners have saved their dogs from harm by investigating when their dog was whining.

3. If you have been out all day, your dog may whine because it has been lonely. Since dogs are pack animals and thrive on social interaction, this is a normal response to being alone and while you might not be in the mood for catching up with your dog after a long day at work, your dog needs to have that time. Fail to offer it to the dog, and it will let you know of its unhappiness by whining. Set aside 10 minutes to interact and play with your dog when you come home and culminate in filling its food bowl, and the odds are good that you can stop your dog's whining in its tracks.

4. A dog locked out in the back yard is a sure recipe for incessant whining. The dog wants to come in and be with YOU. He misses the companionship with you and will persitently whine for hours until let inside. Keep in mind that if you leave your dog in the yard all day while at work, your dog can be a nuisance for the entire neighborhood. Much better to keep the dog inside the house.

5. Should you discipline a dog that is whining? No, whining is always a sign of distress and punishing a dog that is stressed can make the behavior even worse. Hitting your dog or putting him outside as punishment is the wrong course of action.