WHY DO DOGS WHINE?

By Wednesday, February 17, 2016 72 Permalink

Somebody please tell me – why do dogs whine?

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This is a new pawsonality trait with Jaxson. Not really sure when it began, I just know it won’t go away #makeitstop

Doodle Dad told me he often cries when I leave the house. #withouthim 

He said as soon as I pull out of the driveway, Jax whines and paces for about 5-10 minutes. But never for any other reason.

Harley doesn’t do that. He’s never done that. He just hangs by the front door until I return – regardless to how long I’m gone. #truestories

They say whining is a form of canine vocal communication.

Dogs generally do it because they’re –

  • seeking attention
  • excited
  • anxious
  • trying to appease us

BUT IN OUR CASE –

Jaxson whines often. Like, when Harley hogs the ball…

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Or if he looses when they wrestle…

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I can safely rule out the fact that he’s –

  • in pain
  • feels threatened
  • seems stressed

HOWEVER –

He’ll throw a vocal fit if he’s forbidden to enter a room…

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As this new characteristic started emerging, I sought answers from the internet.

MY FINDINGS? –

According to the experts – he doesn’t fit any for the descriptions associated with the action. He’s not –

  •  injured
  • frightened
  • ill

MY CONCLUSION? –

Him is spoiled#thereIsaidit

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Because every single Doodle-time he utters a sound – I come to his rescue, and then he’s fine.

MY COURSE OF ACTION? –

The next time I’m in the mall with Doodle Dad and we walk past Jared’s Jewelry store 💎 I’m gonna start whining. #thanksJax

Here’s hoping you enjoyed a little Hump Day Humor #doodlestyle

Tell me – do you have a little whiner in your house?

Signature

This is our contribution in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

72 Comments
  • Melody
    February 17, 2016

    It is a mystery, isn”t it? My Jack Russell whines as well. Usually, it is when she think you should feed her (even when food is not around). Sometimes I will hear her whine loudly and for several seconds only to find that she is comfy in her blankets. She looks at me as if to say “Ha Ha, Made you look.” This is when I think of her as a toddler who just needs to know I am close by.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Yes Melody – one more mystery that we probably will never solve! Jaxson can be with me – and start whining for an object or who knows. It’s almost as if he’s taught himself this new sound and he likes using it. He never whined as a puppy. I secretly think it’s adorable though….

    • Jan & Jerry Thomas
      November 13, 2019

      We laughed out loud when we read this article about the whining doodle. Our Goldendoodle Winston has it down to a science! He whines if he isn’t allowed in the bathroom and especially if he isn’t being rubbed or pampered. I think it even worse if I am on my IPad in the late evening hours. We now know it’s all because he is one spoiled doodle! I

      • Cathy Bennett
        November 13, 2019

        Please tell me how you’re even allowed to go to the bathroom by yourself LOL I’ve tried, but Jaxson pushes the door open before I can get it closed all the way, and when he does – Harley slips in and then Jax is right behind him. They are a hilarious doodle duo.

  • Taryn
    February 17, 2016

    Funny! What ever works! Dogs are smart that way. Cardigans are more of the mumbling sort. Some people think they are growling but experienced corgi folk know they are mumbling under their breath.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Do they really mumble Taryn? So interesting. I wonder how many other various sounds are connected to different breeds. Dogs are so fascinating – even when they’re whining 🙂

  • Emma
    February 17, 2016

    I whine too when I want more attention.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      I am so surprised Emma – I never would have guess you as a whiner. What about Katie? Does she whine too?

  • Rich Henriques
    February 17, 2016

    No whining. When my Dad ignores me in the house and I have a toy in my mouth and want to play, I drop the toy and poke him with my paw. Several times if necessary. Outside if ignored I bark while sitting in front of him.

    Teddy

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      OMDoodle! Harley’s a paw poker too Rich. It’s the craziest thing. And he only pokes Doodle Dad – he will never do it to me, probably because he knows it doesn’t work. Lee will give in by the second poke and go for the treat jar. #trained

  • The Daily Pip
    February 17, 2016

    My non-furry kid is quite the expert at whining, too. Hoping she doesn’t teach the furry kids to whine or might really be in trouble

    • Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom
      February 17, 2016

      When I was a kid, I used to whine too. One day Mom said to me “either stop your whining or I’ll give you something to really whine about”. Being that Mom was a strict – but fair and loving – disciplinarian, I didn’t want to find out what she had in mind so I quit whining. Until the next time. Hehe.

      • Cathy Bennett
        February 17, 2016

        I remember those same “loving words” LOL but I never thought to try it on Jax – will have to give it a shot! Thanks 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      You are alsoDOODLEtutely correct on that one. Keeping fingers and paws crossed for you.

  • Two French Bulldogs
    February 17, 2016

    He misses his mommy. You should hear the baby noises I make
    Lily & Edward

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Oh nooooooo – not baby noises.

  • Dashlilly
    February 17, 2016

    Lilly doesn’t whine, but Dash whines. My mother (who I miss every day like you know) used to say that Dash talks. He talks in the morning when I am getting ready for work, he talks if I take too long getting ready for the walk, he talks when he is hungry, he talks in the car. HE TALKS!! Lilly — not so much. So funny how they each have their set personalities. Great post!!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Deirdre – the first time I heard it, I was like “what is this?” I’ve never had a whining dog before – too funny. And the things that make him whine are so similar to a small child. Doodles are so fascinating. Have a great Wednesday my friend

  • Murphy & Stanley
    February 17, 2016

    Sometimes a Dood has just gotta say something!

    Keep Calm & Bark On!

    Murphy & Stanley

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      EviDOODLEdently! Lately he’s had a whole lot to say too!

  • Amanda
    February 17, 2016

    Too funny! I think you’ve correctly diagnosed the “problem,” and have learned a great lesson to apply with Doodle Dad. LOL.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Let’s see if it works – I’ll keep you posted the next time I can get him into a mall. My luck – there will be no jewelry stores LOL

  • Spencer the Goldendoodle
    February 17, 2016

    Very interesting post! My humans say I whine when my mom leaves or when I’m excited or wanting some attention!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      What’s up with that Spencer? Harley and Leo never whined – so this is all new to me. Jax didn’t do it as a puppy, it’s his new thing as we get ready to enter into the terrible two’s #ohmy

  • Earl Lover
    February 17, 2016

    My dogs whine out of frustration when they know it’s their dinner time!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Really? He hasn’t started whining for food yet – just silly stuff, like a two year old!

  • Nichole
    February 17, 2016

    Well, I can tell you why Penny was whining last night…. We got to the stop light and instead of turning right (which takes us to her training facility), I went left! Oh the nerve…… she starting whining as if to say “WRONG WAY LADY!” lol

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      OMDoodle!! That happened one day when I turned into MacDonalds to get them some ice cream. The drive thru line was too long, so I circled and came out – Jax started whining. I was in shock! Love their personalities – don’t you?

  • Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom
    February 17, 2016

    My girls don’t whine; but Ducky the Demonbrat will bark at us, sometimes nonstop. I try to ignore it most times -except for her “I haftagoout!” bark. Hubby has very little patience with her and “barks” right back at her, which of course just gets her barking even more. Grrrr.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Neither of the Boys are huge barkers. At least not for my attention. Jax will use his nose to push on me, and Harley will paw your leg to death. Now we get to add whining on to the list 🙂

  • Kitties Blue
    February 17, 2016

    Mom says that she really likes your Jared’s plan! You figured out the answer all by yourself…totally spoiled. Our Fiona was always a fairly quiet cat, but since she was diagnosed with CKD and is now getting so much extra attention, she whines all the time. She asked the vet about it yesterday. She said it was because of all the extra attention. Fiona knows she gets what she wants when she whines. Yep, spoiled. And Mom is going to go right on spoiling her if the whining doesn’t drive her bonkers first! XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Well, don’t compliment me yet! I haven’t gotten to the mall yet! 🙂 Fiona gets a “pass” since her diagnosis. She’s entitled to all the whining she wants. How’s she doing? Tell her Harley & Jax send her GOLDEN hugs and DOODLE kisses ❤️

  • Jasmine Bachrach | About Pet Rats
    February 17, 2016

    Love this post! The ending is especially fun.

    We don’t have a whiner, but we do have a little screamer. Our diminutive Lynx Point Siamese squawks for food when she’s hungry…..which is fairly frequently. We also hear her “talking” in various parts of our house where she’s the only one in the room.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      A screamer? Can’t be… That is too cute #sorry I would be cracking up if Jax started talking in a room by himself. Aren’t our pets continuously entertaining?

  • Talent Hounds
    February 17, 2016

    Our dogs teach us something new everyday 😉

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Isn’t that the dog-gone truth Talent Hounds 🙂

  • Pamela
    February 17, 2016

    Jaxson is quite the trainer, isn’t he?

    Dogs vocalize in so many ways. People are startled by Honey because she will sometimes growl when she’s having fun and wants to play. I’ve seen people look like they wet their pants the first time they hear her growling during a game of tug.

    Jax is just talking to you. If I were you, I’d be glad he’s not howling or barking. It’s much harder on the ears. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      I know he’s trying to talk to someone but it’s not always me! Harley ignores him. He will look at Jax as if he’s lost his mind. Harley is a deep growler when he’s playing tug. It frightens people also. But unlike Jax and his new antic, Harley’s been a tug of war growler all his life. I adore their personalities.

  • Jan K
    February 17, 2016

    LOL…I hope it works as well for you as it does for Jax! I wrote a post about whining when Luke was younger as well…I hoped he might outgrow it but not yet. He mostly whines for attention, especially in the evening. I try not to give in, because I know it reinforces it, but darn, it’s hard not to, isn’t it? I at least try to wait until he takes a break from the whining and jump in quickly as I can then (he either wants a new toy or just some hugs).
    Funny thing is….neither of our girls whine. It’s always been our male dogs that have been whiners!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      I can’t say that it’s getting on my nerves #yet I just find it fascinating that he’s doing it now as opposed to say when he was much younger. I respond when he whines if he’s out of eyesight – I want to always make sure he’s not in any kind of danger – sometimes I will help him out and other times I let him fend for himself. Like I said in the post “Him is spoiled” I’ll let you know if my whining yields me anything sparkly 🙂 #staytuned

  • Maureen
    February 17, 2016

    Oh Doodles are just the best! They sure find many ways to communicate!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Don’t they though? I love to watch them interact. So happy I found you by the way. Come back again soon. We will do the same.

  • Robin
    February 17, 2016

    Pets are amazingly smart, aren’t they? They know just how to get to us. Such fuzzy manipulators! Hopefully the whining will just be a phase for Jax. I like your idea for getting some new bling!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Well Robin – let’s see if Doodle Dad takes the bait.

  • Jackie Bouchard
    February 17, 2016

    That’s so cute. Rita’s not much of a whiner. If she really wants attention she’ll either paw at me or nose-poke me, depending on what we’re both up to. She really only whines when we’re walking and she wants to say hi to another dog, or when we are on our way to her bff’s house for a playdate, she starts in when we only have a couple more blocks to go. (Hope it works out for you at Jared!)

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 17, 2016

      Harley’s the poker in the family Jackie. This whining thing is new – so we’ll have to wait and see where it goes. Right now I’m slightly amused. Hope that sentiment lasts LOL. The pressure is on for Doodle Dad and Jared’s – let’s see…. #keepyouposted

  • DZ Dogs
    February 17, 2016

    Sooo funny!!
    No whiners here, but Dante likes to Humph, and make grumbly noises at me if he wants something that i’m not giving to him. LoL

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 18, 2016

      I told MK Clinton because our dogs all make so many different sounds that we should all record them and create a CD – LOL It could be a hit! I also told her #Idrinktoomuch 🙂

  • Jean Dion
    February 17, 2016

    Oooh, let me know if the diamond whining works! I might need to try it…

    Sinead the Boston terrier makes whine-like sounds. Actually, she sounds like a cross between a parrot, a monkey and a human baby. It’s more like chittering. Thankfully, she doesn’t do it often. Only if I have her out in public and I get out of her sight for a minute or two. Hubby might be right there with her, but if I am gone, she unleashes this sound.

    Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 18, 2016

      Jean – you had me bust out laughing in a public place when I read your comment. I couldn’t help but think about the energy drink commercial from the Super Bowl (puppy, monkey, baby) so when I read your comment – I immediately started singing “parrot, monkey, baby” #toofunny
      I will definitely let EVERYBODY know if the diamond whining thing works!

  • M. K. Clinton
    February 17, 2016

    Bentley is a whiner and it is definitely because he is spoiled. BOL! He whines when he is excited and it sounds like a dove cooing.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 18, 2016

      I think we should all record our dog sounds and create a CD LOL It could be a hit #Idrinktoomuch

  • Tenacious Little Terrier
    February 18, 2016

    Mr. N whines when he’s extremely frustrated or he thinks we’re being really oblivious!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 18, 2016

      Smart dog you’ve got there 🙂

  • Rebekah
    February 18, 2016

    My dogs definitely pull the whining thing because they are SPOILED!!

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 18, 2016

      I hear ya Rebekah! IT doesn’t irritate me – I find it comical – jut perplexed that he waited an entire year to hone in on this talent!

  • Lindsay
    February 18, 2016

    That last picture of Jax, the expression on his face is priceless. You’ve got a beautiful pair of doodles. I just love the breed’s personality, they’re such sweet, goofballs. Like big kids. Sounds like someone is spoiled and is just very vocal. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 19, 2016

      Jax is truly a character Lindsay! He is that dog who can eat your shoelace but you still laugh at his facial expressions as you try to scold him. He’s that dog who can turn your worst day into your best because he was there when you got home. Love my maniac!

  • LeeAnna Paylor
    February 18, 2016

    first of all, wow what a lot of comments! Wish this many people visited Cole!

    Anyway, he probably whines for the same reason I do, I can’t change a situation but I’m not happy with it.

    Let me know how the Jared thing goes… LeeAnna

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 19, 2016

      Have yet to get to the mall to test my Jared theory. I’ll definitely make sure to share the experiment!

  • Kari
    February 18, 2016

    Oh boy, do we! I posted about it at the beginning of the month. We call it squeaking and whistling and sometimes Mia will do it for an hour straight in the middle of the night. I think she has some generalized anxiety. I’ve started giving her a couple of PL360 Anxiety Relief treats when she starts up, and it usually shuts her right up. See how she’s trained me to give her treats when she whines?

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 19, 2016

      Your last sentence made me giggle Kari – they certainly do know how to keep us in line don’t they? #Itooamtrained

  • All Things Collie
    February 19, 2016

    Yes! So much yes!

    Ryder is an awesome dog! He is sweet, sensitive, gentle and kind. You only have to tell him not to do something once.

    But this boy loves to whine! #pityparty

    He cries so often, our oldest collie, Holly, will stomp over to him and growl in his face. She is definitely telling him to shut up.

    He does it for no reason other than he wants attention. It’s just his way.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 19, 2016

      Thank the Doodle Harley isn’t fazed #atleastfornow He along with the rest of us seem to tune him out. For the most part – I associate it as his version of communication.

  • Cathy Armato
    February 19, 2016

    Ha Ha! I love your “solution” to whine at the jewelry store! Sweet post.
    Love & biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 24, 2016

      HA! A girl will try anything for some new jewelry. Let’s see if it works.

  • Ann Staub
    February 25, 2016

    Oh Jaxson! Shiner does exactly the same thing. She’s Shiner the Whiner! She has to be in the same room, and if I leave her at the vet’s she whines and howls all day long… sometimes she whines when I leave the house too.

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 26, 2016

      HA! “Shiner the Whiner” that’s a good one Ann.

  • Verna
    February 29, 2016

    I look forward to the updates on Jax and Harley. It appears that South Carolina is a great place for all of you! Continue to enjoy life !
    Verna

    • Cathy Bennett
      February 29, 2016

      Hi Verna! How are you? Yes SC is really my happy place and we’re doing fine. Take care…

  • Monika & Sam
    March 1, 2016

    Clearly in his mind the J-dog is a very powerful wizard-he makes you appear when he whines. Presto-chango…magic! ღ

    • Cathy Bennett
      March 1, 2016

      Tis true – wish I could sign him up with a circus or a carnival so he could make me some money! LOL