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Herding dogs may nip at your heels and others may be excessive barkers. Sometimes, these breed-specific behaviors or traits can be concerning or annoying. Australian Shepherds, for instance, can be excessive whiners. There are some circumstances when it is a learned behavior and others that may indicate a health issue. Here are a few reasons that your Aussie may be whining at you.
The 6 Possible Reasons Your Australian Shepherd Might Be Whining
1. Your Aussie Needs Something
If your dog needs water, food, or to go outside, they may whine to let you know that they need something. They may also whine because they need your help. Is the cat invading your dog’s space? Did the dog lose their treat ball under the bed? Identifying the issue and fixing it should stop the whining.
If your dog is getting treats and extra food from other members of the family, it may encourage them to whine to get food. If your dog is whining right after they were fed, this may be a behavioral problem and will need to be corrected. If you respond to the whining by giving them more food, you are making the problem worse, as you are rewarding the behavior.
However, if your Australian Shepherd is whining to go out after just getting home from a walk, there may be an underlying health problem. They may be experiencing a digestive or bladder issue.1 If you notice that they need to go out right after they come in, seek the advice of your veterinarian to rule out any health conditions that may be causing the whining behavior.
2. Your Australian Shepherd May Be Whining for Attention
You may have unintentionally taught your dog the annoying habit of whining. If they whined and you responded, they learned to whine to get your attention.
If your pet is feeling ignored, they may whine to get someone to pay attention to them. Dogs, like kids, get bored and will whine to get something to mentally stimulate them. They may also be looking for someone to play with them.
Australian Shepherds should receive mental stimulation and exercise daily. When dogs get bored, they may behave in annoying ways, like whining. A bored dog can also become destructive, chewing on furniture and digging up the yard and flowerbeds.
3. They Are Excited
If your Australian Shepherd whines when you come home, they are likely excited to see you. They may also exhibit this whining and crying behavior while playing or when they are excited to get a treat.
Taking your pup for long walks and playing ball may help tone down the excitement and reduce the whining. Try giving your dog a lot of attention during calm, quiet moments. This may help prevent them from getting over-excited and whining for attention later.
4. Your Dog Is Stressed or Scared
When a dog is anxious or scared, they may whine to let you know they are uncomfortable. Other behaviors that they might exhibit when whining are panting, trembling, and pacing. If your dog is whining and acting nervous, it could be because something in the environment is different. Do you have a strange visitor in the home or a family member who is away?
Dogs can sometimes suffer from separation anxiety. Do you notice your dog whining when they see you getting ready to leave the house? Separation anxiety in dogs can lead to destructive behaviors when you are not home. If your Aussie is exhibiting the signs of separation anxiety, speak to your vet about getting calming treats, supplements, or medications while using other behavior modification techniques to help treat the problem.
5. They May Be in Pain
If your dog is whining when climbing the stairs or jumping on the couch, it may be an indication that they are in some sort of physical pain. Like humans, dogs can get arthritis and experience joint pain and swelling.
If your dog is whining for no apparent reason (they are not anxious and have everything that they need), you may want to discuss the behavior with your vet, as there could be an underlying health issue.
6.Your Dog Is Showing Appeasement Behavior
If your dog whines after you scold them for chewing or nipping, it’s not necessarily an apology in the human sense. Dogs are responding to stress and may use whining as a submissive or appeasement signal. The best approach is to remain calm, avoid yelling, and walk away. This lets your dog know the situation is safe and prevents further stress, helping them return to normal behavior without fear. Instead of punishment, focus on positive reinforcement when training your pooch.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s behavior we suggest you speak to a vet.
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How to Stop Your Aussie From Whining
Australian Shepherds whine and cry for a multitude of reasons. Once you have taken your dog to the vet and they’ve received a clean bill of health, here are a couple of things that you can do to reduce the whining.
Teach Your Dog How to Stay Quiet
If you have determined that the whining is a behavioral issue, you may be able to reduce its frequency. Aussies are vocal, so the chances of putting a total end to the whining are slim. They will still whine when anxious or excited. You may be able to control attention-seeking whines, however.
When your pup begins to whine, and you acknowledge them, you are rewarding the behavior. If they whine and you shush or pet them, they are getting your attention, which is what they want.
To discourage the behavior, turn your back on your dog and ignore them. Do not turn back until they are quiet. You can also walk away if that works better for you. When your dog begins to whine and realizes that you are not responding to them, they will stop. Once they stop whining for a few minutes, you can give them love and attention. A treat will further validate the quiet.
Repetition is key. After repeating the steps consistently, the dog will get the message and stop whining. Remember to be patient and make every training session a positive experience for you and your pet.
Schedule Play Time
A tired pup is often a quiet pup. Regularly scheduled play time will help tire out your dog so they can sleep, especially when you’re not home. Scheduling activities along with ignoring the attention-seeking behavior should eliminate the whining for attention or to play.
Conclusion
Whining is a common trait of Australian Shepherds. You love your dog, but the behavior can become annoying quite quickly. While it’s usually attention-seeking behavior, there are times when the dog is trying to alert their owner about pain or injury. You should identify the cause of your dog’s whining so you can schedule a visit to the vet or begin the proper training so you and your pet can live in a quiet and peaceful home.
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Featured Image Credit: EvitaS, Pixabay
