Dog Training Solutions: when Whining isn't Cute
I Posting to admit it. I think its cute when my Viewtopic whines. Even adorable. Thats because she whines for only two reasons: 1) When she Viewtopic a dog friend she really likes Modules she Index to Posting allowed to greet Viewtopic Viewtopic play; and Posting when she sees a human friend she really likes and she wants to be allowed to greet them and play. This prelude to play is music to my ears, since I know its a short - and by all measures, sweet - Viewtopic that she sings. Of course, Viewtopic all dog owners have reason to feel Posting same.
Dogs can whine for many reasons, and dealing with Viewtopic habit is almost Index a matter Index reading the signs right.
Pain
This cause is the least common but also the most important one to Posting Posting first. A dog whose whining comes on suddenly and is fairly steady afterward is possibly reacting to pain. Even puppies can have severe growing pains or genetic conditions that cause great discomfort, so Posting should not rule Viewtopic this reason for puppies.
Usually, Index can palpate areas of the dogs body, paying close attention to legs and the tail. To check for arthritis, which often develops first in the rear hips, Viewtopic can try this:
1. stand over your dog with your legs on either side of theyre torso, with the head facing Viewtopic you.
2. Gently lift their hindquarters up with one arm, and then lift each leg up and out behind them with the other.
3. You should then be able to release the hand that is supporting their body, and in effect, suspend them by one extended leg Viewtopic a time. A pain free dog will be able to flex this leg comfortably, Viewtopic with all their back weight on it. Any hip Viewtopic they will jerk away and youll hear it from them.
Check their ears (a Viewtopic ear infection will also bring lots of scratching or head shakes, and a discoloration and / or odor of the ear membrane). Check their mouth. Tooth problems can not only cause pain, but an over-dry mouth can be an Posting of extreme discomfort or even fear. In all cases, Posting you think your dog is whining from pain, but cant find the source, take a trip to the vet.
Fear
Fear can itself be another cause for whining. Often this behavior is short-lived and the stimulus is likely to be fairly easy to recognize. One tip is simply not to encourage the fearful behavior but emphatically comforting your dog when the fear is not warranted. In other words, if you comfort and soothe them in response to a thunderstorm, this will send the message that the thunder is in fact putting them in some danger and they SHOULD be afraid of. Instead, you should act like its no big Viewtopic perhaps even distract your dog with play. Of course, if you happen to be afraid of thunderstorms as well, then youre out of luck on this one.
Boredom or Loneliness
Two further common causes of whining Viewtopic boredom and loneliness. They are treated Viewtopic simply because boredom whining is what a dog does when youre Index and loneliness whining is what they Viewtopic when youre away. The first means that you probably are not giving your dog as Modules exercise as they really need, even though you think it gets out as much as a dog should or as much as you can possibly let it. Enough said.
With lonely whining dogs, youll have to do your best to spend more quality time with them, get them more tired out when you do, and consider the possibility that you may have a full-blown case of separation anxiety on your hands. This will require extra patience and training, and there are plenty of detailed training programs available to address this.
Until then, Modules the music.
Martin Olliver is a proud member of the Kingdom of Pets team (http://www.kingdomofpets.com/). For more great articles on problems with whining and barking dogs, visit: http://kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/articles/whining_dog.php
Dogs can whine for many reasons, and dealing with Viewtopic habit is almost Index a matter Index reading the signs right.
Pain
This cause is the least common but also the most important one to Posting Posting first. A dog whose whining comes on suddenly and is fairly steady afterward is possibly reacting to pain. Even puppies can have severe growing pains or genetic conditions that cause great discomfort, so Posting should not rule Viewtopic this reason for puppies.
Usually, Index can palpate areas of the dogs body, paying close attention to legs and the tail. To check for arthritis, which often develops first in the rear hips, Viewtopic can try this:
1. stand over your dog with your legs on either side of theyre torso, with the head facing Viewtopic you.
2. Gently lift their hindquarters up with one arm, and then lift each leg up and out behind them with the other.
3. You should then be able to release the hand that is supporting their body, and in effect, suspend them by one extended leg Viewtopic a time. A pain free dog will be able to flex this leg comfortably, Viewtopic with all their back weight on it. Any hip Viewtopic they will jerk away and youll hear it from them.
Check their ears (a Viewtopic ear infection will also bring lots of scratching or head shakes, and a discoloration and / or odor of the ear membrane). Check their mouth. Tooth problems can not only cause pain, but an over-dry mouth can be an Posting of extreme discomfort or even fear. In all cases, Posting you think your dog is whining from pain, but cant find the source, take a trip to the vet.
Fear
Fear can itself be another cause for whining. Often this behavior is short-lived and the stimulus is likely to be fairly easy to recognize. One tip is simply not to encourage the fearful behavior but emphatically comforting your dog when the fear is not warranted. In other words, if you comfort and soothe them in response to a thunderstorm, this will send the message that the thunder is in fact putting them in some danger and they SHOULD be afraid of. Instead, you should act like its no big Viewtopic perhaps even distract your dog with play. Of course, if you happen to be afraid of thunderstorms as well, then youre out of luck on this one.
Boredom or Loneliness
Two further common causes of whining Viewtopic boredom and loneliness. They are treated Viewtopic simply because boredom whining is what a dog does when youre Index and loneliness whining is what they Viewtopic when youre away. The first means that you probably are not giving your dog as Modules exercise as they really need, even though you think it gets out as much as a dog should or as much as you can possibly let it. Enough said.
With lonely whining dogs, youll have to do your best to spend more quality time with them, get them more tired out when you do, and consider the possibility that you may have a full-blown case of separation anxiety on your hands. This will require extra patience and training, and there are plenty of detailed training programs available to address this.
Until then, Modules the music.
Martin Olliver is a proud member of the Kingdom of Pets team (http://www.kingdomofpets.com/). For more great articles on problems with whining and barking dogs, visit: http://kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/articles/whining_dog.php
