Why Is My Dog Whining All of a Sudden?

Seeing your pet dog whine all of a sudden can be worrisome. It is important to think of ways to calm it and understand why it is whining all of a sudden.
“Why is my dog whining all of a sudden?”
Dogs whine to communicate their physical, mental, and emotional state. Whines have different types of vocalizations, and each of them can indicate a different meaning. For example, it may need something, maybe scared, in pain, anxious, or perhaps greeting a new friend.
In this post, we have covered myriad reasons explaining why your dog is whining all of a sudden.
Bonus! We have also shed light on solutions for excessive whining. Read on!

Why Is My Dog Whining All of a Sudden?

One of the ways through which dogs communicate their needs is whining. Whining may indicate several things. According to American Kennel Club, the main reason why dogs whine is:

  • It requires something.
  • It needs attention.
  • It is frightened or stressed.
  • It is in pain.
  • Your dog is saying sorry.

Here are some more detailed reasons explaining why your dog is whining all of a sudden in detail.

Appeasement Behavior

When dogs meet someone new — a new human or canine friend, they whine about interacting. In addition to whining, they also adopt a submissive posture.

  • Tail tucked
  • Body lowered
  • Head down
  • Gaze averted

Your fur baby may perceive a threat, and it may whine to alert you or the new person.

Seeking Attention

Dogs are highly energetic and playful creatures. If you do not provide adequate activities — walks, playtime, toys, or petting, they may whine about seeking your attention.
Have you noticed, if you’re busy for an entire day and your fur boi hasn’t received pets, it whines and throws tantrums? Yes, they need love and attention from their human parents too.
In addition, some days, you may hear them whine at night. If your dog appears to be in pain or hurt, chances are it is not. It simply cannot sleep and wants to play.
Experts also considered whining a way to complain and express dissatisfaction.

Greeting

canines may whine to greet their friends. Whining is a type of vocalization, indicating excitement. Hence, a dog may whine when greeting. The following behavior is accompanied by whining when they are excited.

  • An open-mouth grin with tongue hanging out
  • Panting
  • Jumping up
  • Shaking their bodies.

Anxiety

Research shows canines can sense when you’re unhappy or unwell. Therefore, seeing their owners unwell or unhappy may make them anxious and worried.
Another explanation for them being anxious is explained in a 2019 study by Sundman, AS., Van Poucke that they mirror the emotions of their owners. Hence, indicating long-term stress levels getting synchronized between them and their owners.
If you have been unwell or observed a dramatic change in your mental health, know that your four-legged pet understands you. Hence, it expresses its concern and whines.

Separation Anxiety

Dogs deal with separation anxiety even when you give them a lot of reassurance. It can be because of past experiences or innate behavior. If you observe them whine in your absence, it indicates it has separation anxiety.
Your dog may display some more symptoms of anxiety before your departure:

  • Pacing
  • Panting
  • Whining
  • Excessive drooling
  • Destruction (especially around doors and windows)
  • Urinating or defecating in the house
  • Depression
  • Signs of distress

You should not ignore symptoms of separation anxiety. They can cause distress and affect your dog’s mental state. Therefore, consult a medical professional for guidance.

Injury or Illness

Dogs whine in pain too. If you’re wondering why it is whining all of a sudden, the first thing to do is check for any injuries. In addition, check for its health. Is it showing any abnormal symptoms? If so, take it to a veterinarian.
A dog’s whines in pain may sound similar to a cry.

Digestive Issues

It’s Sunday and the time to eat treats! You may give your dog treats, and sometimes it may be excess. That’s when it may get difficult for them to digest.
Alternatively, if your dog is unwell, it may be unable to digest its food well. In such a case, it may whine as the stomach ache increases. Your dog may have gas or a gastroenteritis disorder. The recommended way to treat your dog’s tummy issues is to take it to a vet.

Lack of Training

Pets may continue to whine at night if you do not find a solution. In most cases, a dog that whines throughout the night sleeps throughout the day. Thus, it gets bored and needs activity to channel its overflowing energy. Hence, it asks its owners to play with it.
To prevent this from happening, train your dog to sleep at night and play during the day. Engage it with games and toys and tire it. Allow it to recharge its battery during the night.

Puppy

Puppies whine more than adult dogs. Therefore, it is natural to whine if you have a puppy as it misses its litter friends and mommy. However, with positive reinforcement, your puppy may stop whining over time.

Solutions for Excessive Whining

Hearing your cheerful doggie whine can be worrisome. Hence, here are some solutions for you to help your four-legged pet.

Building Confidence

A dog with anxiety or any other condition needs positive reinforcement. If you often observe appeasement behavior in your dog, it may need a lot of affection to build its confidence. Moreover, trick-training classes and reward-based training can also help your dog develop its confidence.

Training

If your dog whines at night unnecessarily, it only needs attention. In this case, tire out your dog during the day and let it sleep throughout the night.
Bring toys for it to play with and comfortable bedding for it to sleep. Dogs are exceptionally well at training. Therefore, you can put this quality to use and teach your dog not to whine unnecessarily.

Boycott Attention-Seeking Whines

Attention-seeking whines are the most notorious ones. Dogs make sure their whines are loud and chattery to divide your attention. They are either bored or do not want to play with their toys anymore.
If you are busy with work, indeed, you cannot fulfill its demands and have to make your fur baby understand to play on its own.
Do not try to silence it or give it a treat. This will only encourage your dog to whine more. The best solution is to ‘boycott’ or completely ignore the whines.
However, make sure your dog is not hurt and is only asking for some attention.

Consult a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist

Lastly, consult a certified applied animal behaviorist if the whining is excessive and uncontrollable. Your dog may suffer from separation anxiety or any other disorder that a certified professional can rectify.
The CAAB will help you treat your doggie.