Why Do Dogs Whine? Tips to Help Your Dog Stop Whining

Many pet parents raise their dogs as part of their family. When you have this relationship with your dog, it’s not surprising to find that, similar to a baby crying, a dog whining can have an outsized effect on your emotions. You might find it impossible to concentrate over the exceptionally grating sound, or you yourself can’t settle without meeting whatever their need is. The issue is that whining can mean lots of things for dogs. 

So, to get a dog to stop whining, you’ll need to figure out why they are being vocal. Some dogs whine when they’re overexcited, and some do so in their sleep. There can be anxious whines or even painful ones. Here are some reasons your dog may be whining and what you can do about it. In most cases, checking in with a vet and/or a trainer will be useful. 

10 common reasons why dogs whine

Dogs whine to communicate, so there’s almost always a reason behind it. Here are 10 common reasons your dog might be whining — and tips to reduce or stop it altogether.

Excitement

We’ve all seen it: a dog absolutely losing it when they see their pet parent. Their butt wiggles, and their tail wags. They can’t contain the happiness and have to move. And what else? Usually, they’ll whine and maybe bark, too. 

This may not only occur when they see their favorite person. They may whine in anticipation of food (or your food), when you use a favorite word like “walk” or “outside,” or anything else they like and get excited about. 

What to do: There’s nothing inherently wrong with excitement whining. But if your dog is overstimulated (or if this accompanies other disruptive behaviors), ask a trainer for help.

Attention

Dogs need to communicate. Since they can’t talk, they may try to communicate using the same techniques that canines have been using for thousands of years. Most animals will look up and check on another animal who’s whining. If you play a video of an animal whining or crying, you can see this response in your own dog.

We may not always know what they need, but whining is how a dog will likely try to get your attention. If this isn’t a problem in your home, start by petting and acknowledging them to see if they just wanted your attention. 

What to do: If your dog whines for attention too much, overcome the urge to look at them when they whine, and teach them an alternate way to ask for what they want. Trainers are great at helping pet parents learn how to do this.

davidf / iStock/

Alerting

Dogs have been domesticated for so long that they really can’t survive without us. Because they tend to have pack instincts, when they notice something is wrong, they want to let us (and any other animals around) know that there’s a problem. 

They might whine about noticing that their housemate is locked outside. They may whine at night because a wild animal has entered the yard. Or they maybe sense a natural phenomenon like an earthquake coming. 

What to do: Investigate what they’re upset about, in case they’re trying to tell you something important. 

Unmet needs

Sometimes your dog is whining over their unmet needs. It would be great if they stood next to what they wanted while whining, but they usually come to find you instead. You’ll often have to do some investigating to figure out which need is unmet. 

Some of these unmet needs may include:

• A food or water bowl being empty

• Hunger

• A toy rolling under the couch

• Waking you up in the morning

• A sibling sitting in their spot

• Boredom

• Feeling too cold or hot

• Wanting to go outside for a walk 

• Wanting to go to the bathroom

What to do: If they seem to chronically whine, they may need more mental and physical stimulation to settle and self-soothe. This brings us to the next item on the list.

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Understimulation

A chronically understimulated dog will find ways to relieve their boredom. Wanting attention is a common reason a dog whines, fails to settle, and possibly paces. It is important to correctly differentiate an understimulated dog from one with anxiety, and treating the problem can help you figure this out. 

If you have a dog who seems to whine a lot and not for a known reason, try increasing their exercise if you and the pup are able to. In addition, it’s important to give their brain more to do. 

Some ways to do this include:

• Providing puzzle toys

• Feeding their meals in puzzle toys, snuffle mats, or scatter patterns

• Training them to do new tricks

• Maintaining a toy rotation

• Doing activities such as scent work, agility, treibball, or other canine sports

What to do: Working with a trainer can really help with understimulation, as can more exercise or canine sports. Check in with local dog sporting and eventing groups, which will teach and host various activities that you can also do at home. 

Appeasement

When a dog wants to let you know they mean no harm, hopes you won’t hurt them, or is asking you to give them space, they’ll exhibit appeasement behaviors. 

In addition to whining, appeasement behaviors include lowering themselves below you, wagging their tails low, rolling on their back, licking, and possibly biting lightly. Because whining, tail wagging, and licking can also indicate excitement, you’ll want to be sure you can tell the difference between an excited dog and a stressed dog showing appeasement behaviors. 

What to do: In this case, there’s not much you need to do. But a trainer can help explain your dog’s body language and what your dog is trying to tell you.

Anxiety

Whining is one of the most common signs of anxiety in a dog. Other indicators include pacing, panting, yawning, hiding, flinching or startling easily — as well as being sensitive to sounds, changes in routine, or new objects in their home. Or they may just react fearfully to new things or people. Anxiety can be something a dog is prone to, or it could be triggered by a traumatic event, underlying pain or discomfort, and other health conditions. 

What to do: If you suspect your dog suffers from anxiety, take them to a vet for evaluation and treatment, which may include starting them on anxiety medication.

Jennifer Bogle / Stocksy/

Fear

When our four-legged friends are feeling scared or overwhelmed, they’ll likely begin whining more. If you know their trigger, such as fireworks or thunderstorms, you can prepare your dog in advance.

What to do: Comforting them while they settle can go a long way towards easing their whining. Consider checking in with your vet about medication to help ease their fear. 

Pain

The number one way a dog will let you know they are in pain is by whining. If they have a specific spot that’s painful, the whining may be accompanied by another behavior, such as limping, licking the area, or chewing and causing a sore there. Other, less obvious, signs of pain can include refusing food, stretching frequently, yawning, and pacing.

What to do: If you think your dog may be in pain, take them to a vet to get checked out. 

Other health conditions

Other health issues can leave your dog feeling uncomfortable enough to whine. These may include nausea associated with many GI (gastrointestinal) diseases, hypothyroidism, arthritis, cognitive decline, seizures, and more. 

What to do: If you can’t figure out why your dog is whining, this could be a health issue. Their discomfort could be due to pain or other stressors. Either way, it’s worth a vet visit to see if your dog needs a little help feeling better.

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My dog is whining so much. Should I ignore them?

Whether or not to ignore a whining dog depends on why they’re whining. If your dog whines a lot, it’s best to get them checked out by a vet to screen for underlying health concerns. But if the vet says they’re fine, it’s time to see if they’ve learned to whine for attention. 

In those cases, it’s best not to react when they whine or even bark at you. Instead, reward them with your attention only after they do something that you’ve asked them to do (such as lie down) — instead of demanding your attention. A trainer can help you quickly work this out with your dog, so everyone in the home is happy.

How to stop a dog from whining

There are many ways to stop a dog from whining, though the best option depends on why they’re whining. Here are a few things you can try to troubleshoot.

• Ignore them. Don’t look at them or talk to them, or even soothe them.

• Check that their immediate needs, such as water or potty access, are met.

• Help them with a task they need you for, like reaching for something.

• Take them to a vet to check for pain or illnesses.

• Make sure they have enough physical and mental stimulation.

• Give them a task or place to be when you have food out.

• Treat their anxiety, if present.

When should you go to the vet?

If your dog whines regularly, it’s worth checking for an underlying health cause. Whining that’s excessive usually occurs multiple times a day or lasts for longer than a minute or two. If your dog seems to whine excessively, take them to a vet to rule out medical issues. 

Commonly asked questions

Why is my female dog whining so much?

If your unspayed female dog is whining, this could occur because they are in heat. A female dog in heat will be more prone to excitement, anxiety, and generally feeling unsettled — so you’ll see them whining more. If your dog is spayed or this isn’t a new issue, check in with your vet to help determine why your dog is whining so much. 

Why is my dog whining and carrying a toy?

Your dog whining and carrying a toy could be their way of saying that they love their toy and love you. Depending on the dog, they may want your attention so they can show you their toy. They may also want you to play with them or may, in fact, want a different toy.

Why is my old dog whining all of a sudden?

Your older dog may be whining because they don’t feel well. Older dogs are more prone to health conditions that come with chronic pain, instability, neurological deterioration, and more. If they’re having a sudden change in behavior, such as whining, they need to see a vet — because something may be wrong. 

Why is my dog whining so much when left alone?

If your dog is whining a lot when they are left alone, they might have separation anxiety. In this case, your dog is sad and seeks attention and comfort. However, with some training, they can learn to self-soothe and settle until you come back.

References

Fingeroth, James. “Hip Dysplasia in Dogs - Background, Signs and Diagnosis.” Veterinary Information Network, Veterinary Partner, 8 Aug. 2017, veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=11852220.

Heinrich, Anneliese. “Compulsive and Repetitive Behavior in Dogs.” Veterinary Information Network, Cattle Dog Publishing, 2023, www.vin.com/cattledog/default.aspx?pId=26671&id=11526425.

Norris, Breanna. “My New Puppy Is Waking Me up Whining at Night. What Can I Do?” Veterinary Information Network, Cattle Dog Publishing, 2023, www.vin.com/cattledog/default.aspx?pId=26671&id=11566576.