A year ago I bought my girlfriend a puppy. It was supposed to be a gift
that would bring us joy and fun—and it did.
But this particular puppy had a serious anxiety problem. Since we got
him, he whined a lot for no apparent reason.
It drove me crazy!
Couples do fight over their dogs, and this was one of those times. The
whining soon escalated to barking. Excessive barking!
So among very little peace and quiet, I decided to hit Google and do
some research on what causes annoying puppy noises and what I can do to make them
stop.
Here’s what I discovered.
Anxious Whining
The most common reason puppies whine is because they are anxious.
A lot of puppies get taken away from their mothers too soon. This leads
to an ongoing anxiety that can last the dog’s entire lifetime.
If you suspect your puppy is anxious, you should ask yourself why that
might be.
-
Is the puppy being hurt by some person or some pet in the
house?
-
Was your puppy taken away from its mother too soon?
-
Does Your puppy need something? (Food, water, affection,
etc.)
-
Are you home with your puppy often enough or is it
feeling neglected?
There are several ways you can calm your puppy’s anxiety which we’ll
discuss further down.
Excessive Barking
The first time any of my puppies barked I thought it was the cutest
thing. But if that barking become excessing and uncontrollable, you could be
set up with some problems down the line.
Deal with your puppy’s barking while it’s still young and your dog will
learn when it is appropriate to bark.
Excited Whining
Puppies quickly learn your routine. They also learn when they can expect
to be fed, walked or tucked into bed. Excited whining is also common in puppies
when their owners come home after being out.
Some puppies can’t control their excitement and it soon turns to loud
whining. This is another puppy sound that seems cute at first, but after a
while it gets annoying.
Boredom
Puppies who feel constricted or away from the fun will usually whine. This
annoying puppy noise is a natural instinct that helps the puppy’s mother find
it if it’s lost.
But puppies will also whine if they feel they are excluded from—what
they see as—the pack. If your puppy is bored, it’s probably craving some
attention, playtime or exercise.
Now let’s talk about what you can do
to mitigate annoying puppy sounds. It will take some patience, but it will help
you understand your puppy better and even bond with them on a new level.
Reassurance
One of the most important things your puppy needs from you is security.
To them, you are their new mother or father. You need to take care of them, and
they need to be felt taken care of.
Always make a point of reassuring your puppy when they show signs of
anxiety through whining or barking. Let them know everything is okay. Give them
a treat to reinforce that feeling of safety if you must.
Exercise
I know we sometimes forget, but it’s important to go out and do stuff
with our dogs. They’re cooped up all day, which must drive them as crazy as
what barking drives us!
Taking your dog for regular walks or playing with them often will reduce
anxiety and boredom in your puppy.
Positive Reinforcement
We’re quick to scold our dogs for misbehaving, but should remember to
reward them when they’re being well behaved.
When your dog is quiet, reward it with a treat or a tummy rub. A few
kind words will encourage your dog to continue in that behavior.
