Puppy Whining - How To Deal With It

Whining is instinctive for puppies when they are hungry, tired or cold. Mother dogs provide a safe place to sleep, warmth and milk to their puppies when they whine.

Eventually, puppies connect the two actions and begin to whine deliberately. This lets the puppy's mother know that something is wrong or he needs something.

A puppy should be adopted between 8 and 10 weeks old. This is when puppies discover that their whining doesn't have any impact with their new family; or they may use whining to compel their new mother (you!) into giving them what they require.

Therefore, it is commonly believed that a new puppy should be left on his own for the first night is his new home. If you respond to puppy whining with warmth, petting, cuddling, your dog is certain to feel that whining will get him what he desires.

Naturally, you will need to be reasonable and show good judgment. A frightened puppy will need affection, reassurance and attention. It is key that you react quickly so the puppy doesn't feel that his whining got the desired result. Your pup must not be conditioned to whine every time he wants something.

In order to train your puppy to be content when he is on his own, leave him alone even while you are at home. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when you leave the home. Once you are sure that all your puppy's physical needs have been met and you have taken the time to get him accustomed to isolation, then he must be taught that whining is unacceptable.

This does not mean that a puppy that is highly distressed, whining, and crying should be cruelly ignored. When he has stopped whining, you should show him some attention and calm him down. Some puppies whine for an extended period of time so it is not always feasible to wait until they have stopped whining.

If this is the situation, you don't have to let your puppy's suffering drag on - open the door of the crate as soon as he stops whining, even if it's just for a matter of seconds. This is certainly not ideal but, under the circumstances, it's probably the best you'll be able to do.

Most dogs have grown out of puppy whining by the time they are six months old. A puppy that continues to whine after this period is either doing it instinctively, or has learnt that it helps to get him what he wants.