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TooMuchDrama
LIF Infant
Member since 10/10 188 total posts
Name:
B
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Why is my dog constantly whining??
My dog, Cody, is almost 9 years old. About 2 and a half years ago, DH and I adopted him from my aunt who could no longer have him anymore. One day when we went there to take him out to the park (so he could get used to us), he was making this whining/crying sound...I thought he was sad, confused, or excited. Once he began living with us, I noticed this cry/whine would happen frequently in certain situations. He'll do it now when he knows we're taking him to the park, he does it at the park, and he'll do it if we're at someone's house with him. I thought he was home-sick, or just a home-body, at first, but since he's doing it before going out, it seems like he's excited. It's just getting to be really annoying - and frustrating because I don't know what he needs/wants. Any thoughts?
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Posted 2/4/11 2:24 PM  |
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Naner325
waiting on nugget!
Member since 6/10 4432 total posts
Name:
N
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Re: Why is my dog constantly whining??
Our dog does that when he is really excited...when we come home from work, when we say the words walk or outside. I just think it's way of showing his excitement
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| Posted 2/4/11 2:28 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Why is my dog constantly whining??
Do you feed into his whining by talking to him in a soothing voice while he's doing it? Say words you know he understands that gets him excited (like park?)? Pet him or show him affection?
It sounds like you might just need to change the way you interact with him when he's whining. When we started breaking our dog of separation anxiety, we stopped getting them worked up about comings and goings. It might be the same thing, you may have to just act totally bored with what you're about to do.
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| Posted 2/4/11 2:37 PM |
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TooMuchDrama
LIF Infant
Member since 10/10 188 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Why is my dog constantly whining??
Posted by greenfreak
Do you feed into his whining by talking to him in a soothing voice while he's doing it? Say words you know he understands that gets him excited (like park?)? Pet him or show him affection?
It sounds like you might just need to change the way you interact with him when he's whining. When we started breaking our dog of separation anxiety, we stopped getting them worked up about comings and goings. It might be the same thing, you may have to just act totally bored with what you're about to do.
We specifically don't say where we're going to avoid him (and my other dog) getting excited. But now they seem to be able to tell just by how we're getting ready. We wait til the very last second to grab their leashes. Usually when he starts whining, I'll say "Just relax, we're going soon." And he stops for a minute. If he does it when we're already out somewhere, sometimes I say that we're "going home soon". When I'm frustrated by it, I'll yell at him to stop, but that only works for a short time.
I feel bad yelling at him in case he's actually upset about something and not really excited. Do you think being stern with him every time he does it is the way to handle this?
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| Posted 2/4/11 2:42 PM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Why is my dog constantly whining??
Posted by Naner325
Our dog does that when he is really excited...when we come home from work, when we say the words walk or outside. I just think it's way of showing his excitement
My dog does this when he is excited too!
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| Posted 2/4/11 3:22 PM |
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RadioLau
LIF Adult
Member since 4/07 2179 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Why is my dog constantly whining??
My dog whines a lot too although he's gotten a lot better with it. With my dog I definitely think it anxiety and excitement.
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| Posted 2/4/11 5:36 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Why is my dog constantly whining??
Posted by TooMuchDrama
We specifically don't say where we're going to avoid him (and my other dog) getting excited. But now they seem to be able to tell just by how we're getting ready. We wait til the very last second to grab their leashes. Usually when he starts whining, I'll say "Just relax, we're going soon." And he stops for a minute. If he does it when we're already out somewhere, sometimes I say that we're "going home soon". When I'm frustrated by it, I'll yell at him to stop, but that only works for a short time.
I feel bad yelling at him in case he's actually upset about something and not really excited. Do you think being stern with him every time he does it is the way to handle this?
From what I read about anxiety, you're supposed to change up how you do things to 'throw them off' so to speak. They are really very good at picking up cues of what we're about to do, without us really noticing.
I wouldn't say yelling, but I just use a sound that they know I'm not happy with what they're doing. I use the Cesar Milan "chhhht!" sound, it's become second nature to me now.
Think of it this way... if it is anxiety and not just happy excitement, he doesn't want to feel that way. If, by letting him know you're not happy with the behavior, he stops, he'll be happier in the long run and you've done a good job. 
Consistency with your corrections are important too, he'll learn to crave your "feedback". If you google separation anxiety, I think a lot of those tips will help you.
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| Posted 2/4/11 5:56 PM |
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TooMuchDrama
LIF Infant
Member since 10/10 188 total posts
Name:
B
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Re: Why is my dog constantly whining??
Posted by greenfreak
Think of it this way... if it is anxiety and not just happy excitement, he doesn't want to feel that way. If, by letting him know you're not happy with the behavior, he stops, he'll be happier in the long run and you've done a good job.
I like this! Thanks :)
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| Posted 2/5/11 7:54 AM |
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IrishLasss334
I'll be there soon!
Member since 1/08 6549 total posts
Name:
Patty
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Re: Why is my dog constantly whining??
I have one dog that does this when I get home from work , he's excited and anxious because I'm home, and he only really started doing this about 2 months ago, since DH has been home recovering from his knee, I don't know why.
We tried alot of things, but after I knew he really didn't have to piddle or something, I usually just go about my business around the house, kind of "ignore" him, I start dinner, laundry, etc. I'll talk to him but no more than I do to the other 2 dogs, I don't pet him or try to "soothe" him because I think that only reinforces his anxiety. I've found that if I just do my normal routine and let him follow me around, but not pay direct attention to his whining, he settles down and stops.
Good luck! 
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| Posted 2/9/11 9:11 AM |
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KimberlyScott
Graceyn=My World <3
Member since 10/08 4173 total posts
Name:
Kimberly
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Re: Why is my dog constantly whining??
Posted by MrsG823
Posted by Naner325
Our dog does that when he is really excited...when we come home from work, when we say the words walk or outside. I just think it's way of showing his excitement
My dog does this when he is excited too!
Me too!
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| Posted 2/9/11 3:03 PM |
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