I always tell my clients that having a new puppy in the home is equivalent to having a new baby. Puppies like babies are not able to use their words to tell us how they feel. Whining or crying is your puppy’s way of trying to tell you something. Puppy owners must learn to speak their new puppy’s language.
Also, try and remember to be patient! Your puppy has just been taken away from everything he or she has ever known. Whining in the beginning is very normal. The good news is that puppies are very adaptable. With love, guidance, and patience they will grow into amazing family members.
One of the most common reasons for whining will be your puppy’s need for human attention. If your puppy cries whenever you enter the room your puppy might be craving human touch. When it comes to temperament, some puppies have a high human focus. They’re like stickers. They always want to be stuck to you!
This doesn’t mean you should always pick your puppy up every time he or she whimpers. Remember when I said that puppies are like babies? It is your job to figure out why your new baby is crying. You don’t want to pick up your puppy every time he or she whimpers. This will just teach your puppy that whining is an acceptable behavior.
Instead, I recommend first and foremost, making sure your puppy’s needs are met. Does your puppy need a hug and cuddle session with his or her favorite humans? Has your puppy eaten enough and had plenty to drink? Does your puppy need to go potty? Is your puppy in need of an exercise session or some mental stimulation? Is your puppy still acclimating to his or her new home and missing mom or siblings? Is your puppy not feeling well?
Once you find out why your puppy is whining it will be much easier to meet his or her basic needs. On the other hand, remember you don’t need to pick up your puppy every time he or she cries. Your puppy needs to learn how to self-soothe. You can help the process go smoothly by providing your puppy with a snuggle puppy and toys that provide mental stimulation. Feel free to browse my list of ideas for keeping your puppy busy here.
Tip for Success
I thought it would be great to end this blog post with a tip that I feel helps with puppy whining. Whenever you’re getting ready to pick up your puppy stand in front of him or her and freeze. Avoid picking up your puppy until he or she is calm and remains still.
This way you’re not rewarding the negative jumping up and whining behavior. You may have to walk out of sight and watch from a distance until you see the desirable behavior if your puppy is relentless. When you catch your puppy being calm and displaying appropriate behavior pick him or her up and give a big hug, praise, and maybe even a treat!
Always remember to reward the positive and ignore the negative when it comes to whining. The exemption to the rule is if your puppy is hurt. In this case, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. A good trainer will come in handy as well! Follow the following link if you desire more information on online puppy school from Baxter & Bella: https://www.baxterandbella.com/.
They always say it takes a village to raise a child properly. I believe it takes a village to raise a puppy properly as well! If everyone in the family is on board, consistent, and patient the puppy will have all the tools necessary to be successful. In no time at all your puppy will be grow up and you will miss the puppy days of the past.
