Why Is My Dog Whining? | Zoetis Petcare

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While dogs rely primarily on body language to communicate, they sure can be quite vocal with their barking, howling, growling, and whining. The high-pitch sound of whines can be long and drawn out or short and staccato. You may even notice a difference in whining based on the intention behind the whine (and you can use this to your advantage).

It’s important to identify the underlying reason your dog is whining, as some require a visit to the veterinarian or connecting with a dog trainer or behavior consultant to address a larger issue. Let’s look at the most common reasons for dog whining and what you should do about it.

Dog whining and sad

Reasons Dogs Whine

When trying to understand why your dog is whining, try to consider what their daily life looks like. Are they left alone for long periods of time? How old are they? Do they enjoy playing with toys? Are they low energy or high energy? These types of questions can help you determine the reason (or reasons) why your dog is whining.

Your Dog May Be in Pain

Pain or discomfort can cause a dog to whine. This may happen after an acute injury or due to chronic discomfort or pain that becomes worse over time. You may notice whining due to pain if your dog is getting up or trying to lie down, or when putting weight on a limb or making a certain movement. 

Your Dog May Feel Anxious, Scared, or Stressed

Many puppies will whine in their crate or at night. It can be distressing for a new puppy to be in a new environment after leaving their litter. Whining is also a symptom of anxiety and stress, such as separation anxiety or noise aversion like fear of fireworks. When observed in combination with other body language, a dog’s whining can say a lot about their emotional state.

Your Dog is Alerting You to Something

Your dog may whine when they hear, smell, or see something that they feel you should know about. This could be wildlife rooting around under your home or nearby, a passing dog or cat outside the window, or anything they think it’s important to be aware of. 

Your Dog is Excited

Whining can be a result of “high arousal,” or a high level of excitement. Many dogs get amped up when they greet people they love or when they anticipate a fun activity. It’s hard to not vocalize for some dogs when they’re super excited, and often this whining is punctuated by barking.

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