Puppy Training Guide

• Home
• Contact Me

Stop Your Puppy from Whining

One of the most annoying habits that a puppy can develop is when they start to whine. There can be a variety of causes that can lead your puppy to begin whining, but you can train your puppy not to whine so that it will not whine incessantly.

Whining is actually one of the very first things that a puppy will learn. It's how they communicate with their mother that they are hungry, and so they quickly learn that whining gets them what they want.

It should be noted that if you have an older dog that develops a whine when it has never whine before, it's a good idea to investigate if there is any underlying cause as dogs will whine if they are sick or in pain. In this case, it's best to get your dog checked by a vet rather than trying to cure the whine.

In puppy training, there is a general rule that the earlier you start teaching something to you puppy, the better, and that also goes for training your puppy not to whine. Many puppies will while when you leave them, a condition known as separation anxiety, but this can also be stopped at a young age. The most important thing to do is not to punish your dog for whining, you won't cure the whine but instead will simply make your puppy scared of you.

Whining caused by separation anxiety can be cured by gradually increasing the amount of time you spend away from your puppy. If your puppy is used to you being there all day, and suddenly you go to work for eight hours, this is where the problem often starts. As soon as you take your puppy home, make sure that you spend small amounts of time away from them. Even if it is just to go to the shops or to catch a movie, just gradually increase the time you spend away so that your puppy gets used to being alone.

Another point to note is that you need to spend time with your puppy when you are at home. Dogs are very sociable animals, and if they don't get any attention they will lead a miserable life. Keep your puppy entertained while you are not at home by providing bones and treat balls which provide a great distraction in your absence.

If whining occurs for some other reason, you should correct your puppy's behavior with a firm 'No!' and waiting for them to stop whining. When your puppy stops whining, give praise with a 'good dog!'. Your puppy will learn that when they aren't whining, you will give them attention.

Don't let your puppy manipulate you with whining, if you offer attention in response to a whine, the problem will grow worse and your puppy will simply learn that whining is a way to get what they want. As long as you are taking care of your puppy's needs, then you can safely practice these methods to stop unnecessary whining.