10 Common Reasons Why Dogs Whine
This post covers the most common reasons why dogs whine which you should know so that you should not ignore them.
Whining is a normal behavior in dogs, but sometimes it can be a sign that your pet needs attention or needs to go out.
If you’ve noticed your dog whines more than usual lately and aren’t sure why then read on for some common reasons why dogs whine.
Why dogs whine
Numerous things might cause dogs to whimper. Some dogs will whimper when they’re terrified or worried. Some dogs will whimper when they’re upset or lonely.
Some dogs will whimper when they are pleased or aroused. And some dogs simply whimper for no apparent reason!
Whining can indicate a variety of different issues, so it’s critical to identify the cause and take appropriate action.
There’s really no need to get fired up if your dog is whimpering for no apparent reason.
Simply watch him and see if he begins to settle down on his own. If so, he most likely has no problems and only needs attention.
Let’s break it down…
Reasons why dogs whine
Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs whine:
1. Dogs whine when they are hungry
Your dog is probably hungry if they are whimpering. Dogs can detect when they are hungry by the way their bodies react and have a keen sense of smell.
Additionally, they will whimper to get attention and request food or drink from others.
If your dog is sitting or standing quietly, it’s likely that they don’t need food; but, if they start sniffing about wildly and being restless (or worse), that’s when you know they do!
2. Dogs whine when they need to go outside
Dogs can’t retain their urine for as long as people can, so you should let your dog out frequently. They’ll complain and want a restroom break if you don’t!
Try teaching your dog to go outdoors on command if they whimper when you’re not home or after spending some time indoors.
You can hide some food in an accessible location (say among some greenery), leave the house for about five minutes, and then come back to get the reward.
Call your dog over when you get home; if he approaches where he knows there will be something sweet in his dish of kibble (or other rewards), give him plenty of praise!
3. Dogs whine when they are afraid
When anything frightens a dog, they are known to whimper.
This may be something as easy as a storm passing by your house, the presence of another dog, loud noises, strange persons, or perhaps nothing at all.
Since dogs are often quite sensitive and quickly startled by loud noises or unexpected movements.
It’s usually time for some reassurance if you notice that your dog has stopped whimpering and is cautiously glancing about after hearing anything unexpected (like thunder).
4. Dogs whine when they are lonely or bored
It’s not just because your dog is worried if he’s whimpering. He does so because he needs human contact and a feeling of direction.
Dogs may cause difficulty by chewing on furniture or other objects in your home when they are bored or lonely.
Make sure your dog has something to do when you’re spending time with him outside so that he doesn’t become bored and start barking excessively or engaging in harmful behavior like chewing up your furniture (or yours).
5. Dogs whine when they want your attention
Dogs are sociable creatures who need company, therefore they will whimper if you aren’t paying attention to them.
Even if you aren’t playing with your dog at the moment, a bored or lonely dog may whimper to gain your attention.
A dog won’t necessarily have a problem asking for anything from his owner directly if he has been trained well enough to recognize when he wants something (like food).
However, some dog owners don’t provide their dogs with enough training opportunities so that their dogs may learn the meaning of “sit” before being reminded of it in the future.
6. Dogs whine when they need comfort
Although not all dogs whimper, some do so to attract attention. If your dog is whining, its emotional needs may be the cause.
Dogs are highly sociable animals who depend on the human connection just as much as humans do.
They may complain as a result when you’re not around or when you’re gone for a lengthy time (like when on vacation).
Here are some suggestions that may be helpful if your dog is whimpering because he needs your comfort or attention:
- Gently touching his face can reassure him and let him know everything is fine.
- He can be soothed by whispering in his ear.
7. Dogs whine when they are in pain
Dogs can experience a variety of pains. It’s possible that your dog is whining because he’s hurt, but it’s not always simple to tell for sure.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you think your dog is in pain but you don’t notice any visible indicators of an accident or illness:
Does he stutter? Does he appear slow? Is he wearing glazed-over or bloodshot eyes?
All of these signs may point to a condition with the muscles surrounding his hips that are giving him discomfort or possibly severe agony.
When was the last time you witnessed your dog standing up on its own two legs?
He may have had a hindquarter issue if it had been more than an hour ago.
8. Dogs whine when they want something from you
Your Dog Wants Something — a Toy, a Walk, Dinner, or to Get Up on the Couch.
Dogs are very persistent. When your dog whines, you should strive to ascertain her needs.
For instance, if your dog tries to play with or fetch the ball from you but continues dropping it to the ground out of frustration before running away once more, it might be a clue that something isn’t right.
Perhaps there’s something else she’d prefer to play with?
Alternatively, she could not desire anything at all. In this situation, try shifting up her surroundings to prevent boredom.
For instance, spread out any new toys (if feasible), relocate any that are near to one another, or get rid of some old ones completely!
9. Dogs whine when they have separation anxiety
When left alone, a dog with separation anxiety may become quite noisy.
He could yell, bark, or whine. This is an indication that he needs the affection of his owner since he is lonely.
If you observe your pet moaning when you leave him alone for extended periods of time at home or at work.
It may be a warning that something has to be done before problems worsen. In certain situations, it can also be a sign of sadness.
Read more on separation anxiety in dogs:
- How To Stop Separation Anxiety In Dogs: 15 Tips That Works.
- 15 Common Separation Anxiety Dogs Symptoms Explained.
- What Causes Separation Anxiety In Dogs (13 Causes Explained).
10. Your dog might be trying to communicate with you
Your dog might be trying to communicate with you in some way when she whines!
If your dog whines, you should not just assume that he’s bored or lonely.
He may be trying to communicate with you in some way.
Your dog might be trying to tell you something about his well-being.
For example, if he is barking at nothing in particular and then stops suddenly when he notices that someone comes into the room, this could mean that he wants attention from his owner—or maybe even food!
Conclusion
When you understand why your dog whines, it will be easier to find solutions for the problem and prevent further whining.
The first thing you need to do is figure out if your dog is just hungry, needs to go out, is afraid of something, or is just bored.
If she’s hungry and doesn’t have access to food nearby (which could mean anything from not getting enough exercise during the day or maybe running into another dog on walks)
Then feeding her before leaving can help prevent barking while inside or outside at night.
If your dog seems scared of something but isn’t trying to get away from it (like a loud noise or scary person)
Then providing extra reassurance in those situations may end up preventing even more barking as well!
Finally, if your pet just feels lonely when left alone all day long without anyone else around—even though there are other things happening around them like people talking on phones or TVs playing loud music.
Then try getting him some extra attention by interacting with him throughout the day instead of just letting him relax in silence all day long like most dogs enjoy doing nowadays.
