Don’t reward whining ….

Every dog owner has experienced it – your animal whines, howls, whimpers, barks and we just can’t figure out why. If you are sure that your dog does not need to go potty, is not hungry, hurting, IGNORE it!

Hundreds of dog owners, especially new dog owners, are confronted with such behavior and promptly let the dog out in the middle of the night, feed him treats, let the puppy out of the crate (at night), and start to pet him. Within days you will end up with a dog that has mastered the skills to make you jump at his leisure. By petting him, opening doors, talking to him, you have encouraged your animal to use whining, whimpering, howling as a weapon to get what he wants. Even just talking to the animal sends the signal that he is getting attention, being rewarded for his misbehavior.

The only way to put a stop to this is to ignore it. Easier said than done, that’s for sure. It’s even more difficult if your dog starts barking like mad in your apartment complex or outside. Your neighbors might not appreciate it very much. Try talking to them, apologize and explain that you are in the process of training your animal to correct this behavior. They might not be happy, but most will understand that sooner or later the annoying noises will end.

While the dog is either whining, whimpering or barking, don’t pay any attention. Wait until he stops (or takes a break), and then talk to him, play with him for a few minutes, or pet him. If he starts whining again, stop immediately and ignore him. Walk away, no matter what he tries to get your attention.

This is certainly not a training process that will work overnight. It is hard on both, the owner and the dog and requires a good deal of patience. Be prepared that it will take time until your dog stops completely. Every time you give in, you will have to start over again. Eventually your dog will understand that whining and barking does not get him attention, that it will not be rewarded.

Many dogs start this misbehavior because they are bored, lonely or don’t get enough quality time spent with their owners. A tired dog will not whine or whimper, he will want to cuddle up and sleep. If your dog keeps whining and whimpering for weeks, maybe you are not paying enough attention to him. Try to incorporate several short play sessions during the day – or whenever you are with him - walk him just a few minutes longer every time you take him out, bring him to a dog park for an hour of fun and play with other animals. Try to teach him a trick or start >>clicker training . If your dog is one of the active breeds, sign him up for >>agility training. Increasing the time you spend with your animal, enough activity, plus ignoring bad behavior instead of rewarding it will solve the problem once and for all.