Whining may not be as loud as barking but it can be just as annoying. While it may have started out as something adorable it’s not so fun to listen to on a constant basis. Whether your dog is breaking your concentration when working or studying at home, interrupting your relaxation time, or worse all the time, it is something that can be dealt with.
Before you attempt to fix the problem it’s important to know that dogs whine as a form of communication. That means it’s fine and natural when something is wrong or every once in a while, but definitely not around the clock.
If your dog is whining excessively it is without a doubt worth putting in the time to stop it. Not doing so can lead to aggravation for you, your family, and your guests. Plus is it really something you want to listen to for the rest of your dog’s life?
Are You Shooting Yourself In The Foot?
Most dog owners don’t realize it, but all too often they are simply reinforcing their pet’s behavior by responding to it. It may sound strange but by scolding or paying attention to a whining dog you are many times are making the problem worse.
That’s because your dog was most likely whining to get your attention in the first place and by telling your dog to be quiet you’re giving him just that. To make things worse, every time you do it you are strengthening this association.
Break The Cycle
So how do you stop it? The simplest way is to stop rewarding him thus breaking the association. Even though it may seem like you are pretending like the problem doesn’t exist, for some pets, this will work very quickly.
It may not happen overnight, so you’ll need to learn to ignore his whining and don’t let yourself pay any attention to him when he does it, no matter how irritating it can be. By showing him that this behavior will not get him what he wants, he will give up.
Create A New Association
You’ll also want to create a new association in his mind. You should reward him for being quiet. To some, this also might sound a little strange but it works. And of course, positive reinforcement is much healthier and more effective for both you and your pooch. An easy way to apply this is to place your dog in a separate room and close the door.
When he starts whining use a command such as “hush,” or “quiet”. When the dog eventually stops wait a few seconds and reward him verbally and with a tasty treat. Just be sure not to wait any longer than that so it’s clear to him that he can get the attention he craves by being silent.
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Defeat Boredom With Exercise And Toys
Another highly effective way to stop your dog from whining is to make sure you give him enough exercise. Every canine should be given some each day. Different types will need different amounts. Small dog breeds usually need less than larger ones but it can depend on the breed and your individual dog and how active he is.
How much he needs can also be influenced by his age. Senior dogs won’t typically need as much as their younger counterparts. Depending on your dog this could mean a simple walk around the block, a jog, multiple runs a day, a play session, or a combination.
But, all are guaranteed to help with whining since they not only tire pets out but help prevent boredom which is one of the reasons why dogs whine in the first place.
Purchasing toys that your pooch can play with or chew when you are away at work will also help to keep him entertained and busy in a way that is constructive instead of destructive, which is always a good thing. Plus, they will come in handy for any playtime you have with him.
Excessive whining is something anyone can prevent. You’ll need to make sure you are not reinforcing the behavior you want to stop and that you reward your dog for being quiet instead. Exercise and toys will be sure to help too so don’t overlook them.
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