Whining, like many other forms of vocal communication, such as barking, can be your dog's way of telling you something. Many dog owners experience their dogs' all-too-familiar whining, and it can be quite challenging to decode the reasons behind their persistent pleas. From seeking attention to expressing pain or discomfort, you will better understand what your dog is asking from you and how to put a stop to it.

 

Why dogs whine

Whining is one form of your dog's acoustic communication. According to researchers, dog whining is an indicator "of stressful arousal but also greeting and attention-seeking behaviours".

Whining is characterised as a high-pitched sound and can often be repetitive and prolonged. Researchers found that dogs whine at a higher frequency with their mouths closed than with their mouths open.

There are several reasons why your dog may whine, and understanding their motivations is crucial to deciphering what your dog is trying to tell or ask from you.

How does whining differ from barking

Whining and barking may seem similar, but they serve very different purposes. Dogs may bark to alert, communicate excitement, or signal a warning. Whereas, whining is a softer and more emotional sound that usually expresses a need or discomfort.

When a dog whines, it’s often their way of asking for something, such as attention, reassurance, or relief from stress. Puppies learn early on that whining gets a response, and if this behaviour is reinforced, whether intentionally or unintentionally, whining can carry into adulthood.

Attention seeking

Dogs whine for attention to communicate their desire for interaction and companionship. The MSD Veterinary Manual states that "dogs are highly social animals and are well adapted to living in groups." Being social animals, they naturally seek connection with their human companions. When they feel lonely, bored, or in need of affection, they may resort to whining to capture your attention and engage with you.

It's important to note that dogs are highly perceptive and quickly learn that whining can garner attention. If they receive attention or rewards when they whine, they may continue the behaviour as a learned strategy to get what they want.

 

Greeting

Dogs often whine to greet as a way of expressing their excitement, happiness, and anticipation when encountering their owners or other animals. Greeting whines are typically accompanied by wagging tails, jumping up, and overall exuberant body language.

This behaviour is particularly common when you return home after being away for some time, as they associate your arrival with joy and companionship.

 

Appeasement

When dogs whine for appeasement, they often display specific physical cues. These include a lowered head, a tucked tail, and a crouched posture. In these situations, your dog may be trying to diffuse potential conflicts or tense situations, communicate submissiveness, or seek reassurance. Recognising these signs can help dog owners and trainers better understand their pets' behaviour.

Similarly, in social interactions, dogs may whine to signal their non-threatening intentions and to express submission towards other dogs.

 

Anxiety

Dogs may whine out of anxiety as a way to express their distress and seek comfort. Anxiety can stem from various sources, such as separation anxiety, fear of loud noises (fireworks), unfamiliar environments, or certain triggers. Whining is one of the ways dogs communicate their unease and attempt to cope with their anxious feelings.

Separation anxiety is a common cause of anxiety-related whining, and according to a 2022 study, 11% of dogs (1.1 million) showed signs of distress when left alone. Unfortunately, when dogs are separated from their owners, they can experience extreme distress and exhibit behaviours like whining, pacing, destructive chewing, or excessive salivation. Whining, in these cases, is a plea for their owner's return and a way to alleviate their anxiety.

It's vital to address anxiety-related whining with compassion and understanding. Creating a safe and secure environment, gradually exposing your dog to their fears through desensitisation techniques, counter-conditioning and providing positive reinforcement for calm behaviour. All this can help alleviate your dog's anxiety.

 

Pain or discomfort

Understanding that dogs may whine when injured is crucial, as it's their way of communicating pain and discomfort. This vocalisation is a clear sign that they are experiencing physical pain. In addition to whining, your dog may also show other signs of distress, such as antisocial or aggressive behaviour, changes in appetite, excessive grooming, heavy panting, mobility issues and more, as stated by Vets Now.

It's essential to observe your dog's behaviour and, if necessary, seek veterinary attention to diagnose and address the injury adequately.

 

Fear

Dogs may whine to communicate that they are scared and seek comfort. Whining is a natural response to fear and serves to vocalise their distress.

When dogs encounter something that triggers fear, they may resort to whining to seek reassurance from their owners.

Whining when scared can be accompanied by other fear-related behaviours. These may include a slowly wagging tail, trembling, hiding, or attempting to run away. Recognising these signs can help you better understand your dog's fear and respond appropriately.

 

Boredom

Dogs may whine when they're bored to seek attention, stimulation, and interaction. When dogs lack mental and physical exercise, they can become restless and exhibit attention-seeking behaviours, including whining.

Whining due to boredom is a form of communication, expressing their desire for engagement and activity. Dogs are very curious animals and do a lot of exploring by sniffing their surroundings. Dogs thrive on mental stimulation and physical exercise, which are just as important as one another. When they feel understimulated or lack opportunities for play and exploration, they may resort to whining to capture your attention and alleviate their boredom.

 

How to identify why your dog is whining

There are a few steps to identifying why your dog is whining. As you know by now, there are a variety of reasons that dogs whine, such as pain, need for attention, and more. Whining is their way of communicating with you, and here's how you can uncover what they're trying to tell you.

Keep a whining log or journal

Although it may seem excessive to log when your dog is whining, it can greatly help with revealing patterns you might otherwise miss. In a journal, note the time of day, what's happening around them, and how long the whining lasts.

For example, one day my dog started whining from time to time. My first reaction was one of worry, as I assumed something was wrong with Theo, but after logging each episode for a couple of days, I noticed he whined whenever I reached for his lead. I quickly discovered it was simply my dog's way of expressing his excitement for the walk.

 

Observe body language and context cues

Not only do dogs communicate verbally, but their body language can tell a lot about how they're feeling. When your dog whines, pay attention to how your dog looks and behaves in that moment. Observe whether their posture is loose or stiff, what their tail is doing (and how it's wagging), and the position of their ears. Pairing these visual cues with their whining can help you understand whether your dog is excited, anxious, frustrated, or uncomfortable.

Continuing with my example above, Theo's body language made things much clearer for me. When he was whining, his tail was wagging, his body was loose, and his ears were relaxed. There were no signs of stress, such as pacing, tucked tail, or stiff posture. Considering all of this, I realised his whining wasn't a cause for concern at all since it was pure excitement because he knew he was about to go for a walk.

 

Rule out medical causes

When a dog is in pain or experiencing discomfort, they often use whining as a way to tell us something doesn't feel quite right. Things to look out for are whether the whining starts suddenly, becomes more frequent, or seems out of character for your dog.

As you log the behaviour, note all changes you've spotted, including restlessness, difficulty getting comfortable, changes in appetite, excessive licking of a specific area, or sensitivity to touch. Even the most subtle of changes in behaviour can point to a medical cause, rather than something emotional.

If you are unsure, it's always best to contact your vet and share with them everything you've noted down about the whining. A quick check-up, as well as all the context you've noted, can help the vet determine if there's a medical reason behind the whining.

 

When to involve a veterinarian

No matter what, your dog's well-being is of utmost importance. If you're uncertain of the cause of your dog's whining, the safest thing to do is contact your vet. This is especially true if you're noticing other symptoms or changes in your dog's behaviour alongside your dog's whining. For example, sudden or intense whining, signs of pain, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, changes in appetite, and more can all point to something medical.

 

How to stop attention-seeking whining

If you find that your dog is whining to get your attention, more often than not, it's because they have learned that this behaviour works. Even without meaning to, you may have reinforced their whining by verbally responding, giving them cuddles or treats, or even just a reaction can be a reward to your dog. Over time, whining becomes their go-to way of getting what they want.

To break this cycle, be mindful of unintentionally reinforcing your dog's whining behaviour. Whilst it's important to provide comfort and attention when needed, giving in the moment they start whining teaches them that noise gets results.

Fortunately, with training and consistency, you can reduce and redirect your dog's whining behaviour.

Teach “quiet” or “calm” cues

Teaching your dog a "quiet" or "calm" is a very useful cue to teach, especially as dogs thrive with structure and clear instructions. The training will be a gradual progression, but it teaches your dog that silence gets them a reward.

Keep your training sessions short and simple. Start by waiting for they to stop whining, even if it's only for a second. As soon as your dog stops whining, reward and praise them with their favourite training treat. Once your dog starts to stay quiet for longer periods or more consistently, you can begin introducing the cue word "quiet" or "calm". Alternatively, you can use a hand signal. Continue training with the cue word so your dog associates the word "quiet" with the action.

 

Teach “place” or “settle” behaviour

Teaching your dog a "place" or "settle" behaviour is one of the most effective ways to reduce attention-seeking whining. The command gives your dog a clear, calm behaviour to follow and helps them learn how to relax independently, rather than relying on you to entertain or soothe them.

Before you start training, choose somewhere you'd like for your dog to settle down. Most choose the dog's bed, blanket, or mat. When training, encourage and lure your dog to the chosen place with a treat. As soon as your dog lies down or shows signs of relaxing, use positive reinforcement by rewarding them with a treat or toy, and repeat. Eventually, introduce the chosen cue word once your dog has shown they're beginning to understand. 

After a series of short training sessions, your dog will begin to recognise this spot as their calm zone and understand what the cue means.

 

Ensure you are giving your dog enough attention throughout the day

Dogs are social animals and love attention. However, life can get busy, and due to circumstances such as work, you may give your dog less attention. A result of this can be that your dog starts to present attention-seeking behaviours as their social or emotional needs aren't fully met.

Finding a solution to this can make a big difference. This could be arranging for a friend or family member to come visit your dog during the working day, or hiring a dog sitter or dog walker. The solution may simply be to set aside more intentional quality time with your dog, whether that be cuddles, training, or more play time.

 

Preventing whining through exercise and enrichment

It's crucial to provide your dog with regular exercise, both physically and mentally. It's an effective way to reduce whining as it helps channel their energy and keeps their minds occupied. A dog who feels fulfilled, stimulated, and tired in a healthy way is far less likely to whine out of boredom or frustration.

Daily physical exercise

Establishing a consistent routine that incorporates regular dog walks and outdoor playtime plays a huge role in preventing whining. Dogs need an outlet for their energy, and without it, that pent-up excitement or frustration often comes out as whining or as some form of destructive behaviour. The amount of exercise your dog needs differs from dog to dog, as you will need to factor in their age, breed, and health, but most dogs benefit from a combination of daily walks, playtime, and opportunities to explore the outdoors.

Additionally, you can make walks more interesting for your dog by going on a different route, to help them experience new sights and smells.

 

Mental stimulation and training games

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for your dog. It helps in tiring your dog out by challenging their brain in a healthy, balanced way. Adding short bursts of mental stimulation throughout the day can make a huge difference to your dog's behaviour and overall well-being.

Engaging your dog in enrichment activities such as interactive toys, puzzle feeders, obedience training, or snuffle mats using natural dog treats to get your dog's brain working. These activities encourage your dog to think, problem-solve and focus, and incorporating them into your dog's daily routine can help reduce whining, especially if they're whining out of boredom.

 

Rotating toys and scavenger activities

Toys are a great source of entertainment for dogs, but they can lose interest in toys quickly, especially if the same ones are lying around every day. To counter this, you can rotate their toys every few days to help keep things fresh and exciting, which gives your dog something “new” to explore without constantly buying more.

Scavenger-style activities are another great way to keep your dog mentally engaged. Hide treats around a room, scatter a handful of kibble in the garden, or set up simple “find it” games indoors. These activities tap into your dog’s natural sniffing and problem-solving instincts, giving them a healthy outlet for their energy.

 

When whining gets worse

It may feel discouraging when your dog's whining worsens, even with consistent training. However, progress isn't always perfectly linear, and dogs learn at different paces from one another. As your dog learns new habits and lets go of old ones, you may notice an old habit intensify or worsen. This is entirely normal and is referred to as an extinction burst. Your dog will be testing whether the behaviour still works or may be confused as to why it isn’t working.

Noticing these changes early can help you adjust your approach, stay patient, and keep your dog moving in the right direction. Below are some common situations you may come across and how to handle them.

Ignoring leads to louder whining

When you stop responding to whining, your dog may initially try harder to get what they want by whining more intensely. But don’t worry, this is part of the learning process, and your dog may just be confused about why their usual behaviour (whining) isn’t getting the same response.

If your dog is whining for attention or excitement, it's important to stay consistent with training and not give in. Keep rewarding them when they're quiet and redirecting by asking them to settle. In cases where you suspect your dog is whining out of boredom, ensure they have had enough attention, exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. Your dog will eventually understand that whining no longer works.

 

Barking or destructive behaviours start to occur

Other behaviours such as barking, destructive chewing, pacing, or general mischief may arise as your dog is confused and testing what will work instead of whining. This doesn't mean that things are getting worse. It may be part of your dog adjusting.

If you find your dog is displaying these behaviours, first check that their basic needs, such as having access to fresh water at all times, they have gone to the toilet, and that their dietary requirements have been met. Additionally, check that they've had enough attention, exercise, and mental stimulation throughout the day, and consider whether any environmental factors may be affecting your dog. 

Once you've ruled those out, gently redirect those undesirable behaviours to calmer alternatives, such as using the calm or settle cue. Continue rewarding when appropriate, and if your dog is displaying destructive chewing, during this period, remove items your dog may chew on and lay out toys for them to chew instead.

 

Regression after periods of progress

It's completely normal for dogs to take a few steps backwards, even after they've shown progress, or were at the stage where they were no longer whining. Regression can happen for many reasons, such as changes in routine, reduced training consistency, excitement, or simply your dog testing old behaviours again.

If your dog starts whining more after a period of improvement, go back to the basics. Reinforce the behaviours that worked before, like the calm or settle cues, and make sure your dog's physical and mental needs are fully met.

Most regressions are temporary and resolve quickly once you return to your training routine. Stay patient, stay consistent, and your dog will find their rhythm again.

 

When to seek professional help

Most whining can be improved with consistency, training, and understanding what your dog needs. But in some cases, the behaviour doesn’t improve or becomes more intense over time. This is when support from a qualified behaviourist or positive reinforcement trainer can make a big difference. They can help you identify deeper causes, tailor a plan to your dog, and guide you through any challenges you’re struggling to manage at home.

 

Vet thoughts on dog whining

A vet’s thoughts on dogs whining, Emma Chandley BVetMed PGCertSAS MRCVS

From a veterinary perspective, it's essential first to conduct a thorough examination to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing your dog discomfort or pain, resulting in them whining. Whining can sometimes be a sign of a medical issue, therefore a diagnostic workup may be necessary.

In a lot of cases, whining is a form of communication for dogs. They may be seeking attention due to factors such as boredom, or insufficient mental or physical stimulation. They may be craving some sort of social interaction. There may have been recent changes in their routine that have disrupted their usual schedule, or they may be craving more playtime or walks. It's also important to consider the possibility that your dog has inadvertently learned that whining is an effective way to get what they want, such as a cuddle, a treat, or even just a reaction from you.

To address whining behaviour, it is important to try to identify potential triggers and establish a more consistent routine for our dogs. This routine should incorporate mental stimulation activities, focused attention, playtime, and opportunities to fulfil their social needs. Additionally, positive reinforcement techniques can be used to reward calm behaviour and discourage whining. By implementing these strategies, it is possible to find more appropriate ways to communicate our dog’s needs and ensure a more harmonious household.