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When Dogs Whine How To Curb The Behavior

2016/5/3 15:37:57

Canines learn to express themselves through a limited set of vocal tools. For example, they can bark, and will do so to alert you to something, or draw your attention; they can growl to warn others in close proximity to stay away; they can howl to communicate with other dogs; or they can whine. Whining is a learned habit that takes form while a canine is still a puppy in his mother’s care. When he does it, his mother tends to him. As a result, he quickly learns that whining results in his mother’s attention.

When puppies are adopted into new homes (typically, at eight weeks), they don’t leave this lesson behind. They remember it. The only thing left to discover is whether it works with his owners as well as it did with his mother. This is a crucial stage. It is at this point that the behavior can be curbed easily upfront, or allowed to develop into a hard-to-break habit. Many owners allow the latter to occur.

This article will address the problem of excessive whining in dogs. As with curbing most behavioral problems, the first step is understanding why it happens in the first place.

Motivated By Anxiety Or Excitement

A lot of canines whine because they are excited or anxious. For instance, your pet may chase a rodent into a bush, and be unable to follow. He knows the rodent is there, which excites him. Unable to do anything about it, he may begin to whine.

Or, consider a dog that suffers from a fear of thunder. During a thunderstorm, he might be unable to hide, and start whining due to anxiety. In this case, discouraging the habit will usually involve desensitization training that focuses on the underlying fear.

A Call For Attention

Canines that receive their owners’ attention whenever they whine develop an expectation that the behavior will have the same result down the road. This expectation gains momentum over time. The more owners respond to their pets’ whining, the more ingrained the habit becomes.

This extends beyond petting your dog. Based on how you respond to his whine, he may come to expect certain actions. For example, suppose you throw a ball to him each time he whines. He will learn this behavior is the most reliable method for getting you to toss the ball to him.

Seeking attention or a specific response is one of the most common reasons canines whine. We’ll address how to discourage it in a moment.

When Your Pet Is In Pain

Sometimes, a dog will whine when he is coping with pain. Canines that have recently undergone surgery will often do this while they recover. Here, the habit is not done to attract attention. Dogs do it to soothe themselves while they are physically uncomfortable. Owners should avoid reprimanding them when discomfort is the trigger since the behavior is instinctive, and done as a reflex.

How To Discourage Excessive Whining

Recall from earlier that the most common reason for canine whining is to seek attention. Also, recall that newly-adopted puppies have already learned the habit by the time they arrive in their new homes. Owners have an opportunity to modify the behavior before it becomes deeply ingrained in their pets’ minds.

Some breeders and trainers recommend ignoring a puppy when he begins to whine. But this approach communicates to the pup that he is unimportant to his new owner. He may thus begin to feel isolated. A more effective approach is to make certain your puppy is fine when he starts whining. If he is not, correct whatever problem exists. If he is merely whining for attention, leave him after ensuring he is okay. This sends a clear message to him that you care about him, but his whining will not result in your lasting attention.

Older canines that whine can be encouraged to break the habit through a process of behavior modification training. When your dog begins to whine, use a distinct noise that signals to him that you are withdrawing your attention. When he stops, provide a treat and offer him praise. This will teach him that good things come when he stops whining.

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