Why Do Dogs Whine?

While your dog doesn’t talk, they can still communicate with you through certain sounds and movements. If they wag their tail, you know they are happy. If they give you a big kiss, you know they are showing their affection. But what are they trying to communicate when they whine?

Dogs whine for a myriad of reasons, from boredom to excitement, need for attention, or feelings of pain. But if you don’t understand what the whines mean, there’s no way you could help them.

Dogs whine when they need something, whether it is food, water, or a scratch behind the ears, they want something from you. If you hear your pup whining, check to see if they have all the basic necessities covered.

Dogs might whine when they are in pain and need medical attention. If you notice they always whine when doing certain activities, they might have a medical issue. In that case, a visit to the vet is always a good idea.

Discontent is something dogs can express best by whining. Maybe they are bored, they didn’t get enough exercise, or you didn’t play with them enough. If they also bark, chew things, and scratch, then surely, they are bored. So, it’s best to keep them as entertained as possible. Or maybe they aren’t bored, they just want some attention.

And it’s best to keep in mind that whining is used most when dogs want to apologize. If whining is coupled with puppy-dog eyes, then you better check if all your shoes are still intact and escape chewing.

If you want to stop whining, identify why it’s happening and fix the root issue. If that doesn’t work, consider retraining your pup.