9 Top Reasons Why Dogs Whine & Tips

Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection. But this doesn’t mean that they don’t need to be heard out at times.

Especially if you’re the one in control of when they get to go outside or when they are allowed access to a favorite toy or treat.

Most dogs will whine if they want something; it’s just that some dogs will do so more than others.

However, there are lots of reasons why your dog might be whining and what you can do about it!

Here are the most common reasons why dogs whine:

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Hunger

Dogs can be very vocal when they are hungry. They will whine, growl, and bark in an attempt to get your attention.

If you don’t feed them right away, they may even try to climb up the stairs begging for food.

This is not just a whim of their own—this is actually how dogs communicate with each other!

Dogs will also whine if they feel like they’re being ignored by their owners because they want something more than just food from them (such as love).

When this happens, it’s important that we take notice, so we can make sure that our furry friends know we are listening (and maybe even reading).

Pain

Dogs whine when they are in pain. A dog that whines is telling you that something is wrong, and it’s important to pay attention to your pet’s behavior.

If a dog is whining, it might be because of a physical problem or injury—or he could just be unhappy with his environment.

If your dog has any sort of surgery or medical treatment coming up, make sure you stay close by while they’re out of commission so you can keep an eye on them!

You’ll want to make sure nothing happens unexpectedly; this includes checking on their vital signs regularly (elevated heart rate, decreased activity level).

As well as listening for any abnormal noises coming from inside the house (such as gastric sounds).

You might also notice changes in appetite or activity levels if there are certain days when your furry friend seems particularly grumpy than usual.

This could indicate that something went wrong during their recovery period from whatever ailment caused all those whines in the first place!

Read more about the 10 Common Dog Sick Symptoms.

The urgency to go Potty

Dogs will whine if they have to go potty.

Dogs are like humans in that they need to use the bathroom and relieve themselves regularly, but unlike us, dogs don’t want to do it when we ask them.

They want to do their business outside of our home—and if you live in an apartment or house where there is no yard for them to relieve themselves in, this can be a problem.

Your dog may be only able to go once every two hours or so due to its size and lack of natural terrain such as grassy areas (for example).

In cases where this occurs frequently enough for your dog’s bladder or bowels not to function properly over time due to lack of access outside regularly enough.

Try getting them some sort of waterproof leash attachment system so they have something else besides just holding onto you while trying desperately not to make any noise at all!

Excitement or Anxiety

Dogs can whine when they are excited or anxious.

Whining is a dog’s way of letting you know that they want something, but cannot ask for it in words.

When your dog is excited about something, it will often be able to get you to do what he wants more effectively than if he were just barking at you.

For example, if one of your dogs sees another dog running towards them in the distance, their instinctive reaction might be to bark loudly and try to scare off this other animal from coming near enough so that they could attack it!

However, if instead, you hear them whining and calling out “bring me closer” then this means that they are trying desperately hard not only to convince themselves but also convince others around them within earshot (including us).

Exactly how much fun it would be for everyone involved if only we gave our approval by doing whatever was necessary at hand right now!

Loneliness or Separation Anxiety

When your dog is left alone, they are more likely to whine.

It’s not uncommon for dogs to become anxious when their owner leaves the home and goes away on work, school or vacation.

They may also chew things more than usual while waiting for you to return. If this happens frequently enough and lasts long enough.

It could indicate that something else is wrong with your pet — like depression or anxiety disorder .

So talk with a vet about what might be going on in their life besides separation anxiety issues!

Read more about the 9 Common Signs Of Separation Anxiety In Dogs.

Boredom or Lack of Exercise

Boredom is not a reason to ignore your dog’s whining, but it can be a leading indicator of other issues.

If you’re not sure what boredom looks like in dogs and how it affects them, here’s an example:

A bored dog will often look for ways to entertain themselves—they might engage with their toys or jump on the bed.

They may also try to find something else that interests them so they don’t get too restless and destructive.
The best way to cure boredom is by giving their needs attention and exercise through playtime outside or inside the home environment when possible (with supervision). This will help keep them active enough that they won’t feel anxious about being alone all day long!

Read more the 9 Top Ways To Tire Out A Puppy.

Attention Seeking Behavior

Dogs have a very high level of intelligence and are able to understand things that we humans don’t.

They can tell when they’re being ignored or not given enough attention, so if your dog whines in order to get the attention they crave.

Then this is where you should start looking for reasons why your dog is doing so.

If your pet is simply whining because he wants to play with you or go outside again and eat dinner.

Then it’s likely nothing more than an attention-seeking behavior like any other pet owner would engage in.

But if there’s something else going on between the two of you that makes him want more than what he has now (or just wants some alone time).

Read more about the 9 Common Ways To Socialize A Puppy & Benefits.

Old Age

Old age can affect your dog in a variety of ways, whether it’s from arthritis or other ailments.

This is especially true if they are getting confused or disoriented.

As we age, our sense of smell weakens and our hearing becomes more sensitive to loud noises like barking dogs and sirens.

Some older dogs even suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease; these illnesses can cause them to be very anxious around other people and animals.

They may also have a hearing impairment that makes them more susceptible to noise pollution such as barking dogs or sirens.

Read more about the 9 Top Signs Your Dog Is Dying Of Old Age.

Your Dog is Being Submissive

Submissive behavior is a form of communication, and your dog’s submissive behavior may be a sign that you’ve done something that he doesn’t like.

For example, if he wags his tail when you approach him but turns his head away when you try to pet him, this could mean that he’s afraid or uncomfortable with your attention.

On the other hand, if he shows no fear in response to being approached by another person but still wants to run from them.

Or even hides under the couch when someone calls out their name—this could mean that they’re trying not only to avoid conflict but also avoid confrontation altogether!

Read more about the 11 Ways Of Training A Dog Not To Run Away.