Just like human babies, pups also vocalize their concerns or complaints by crying. They can whine and whimper for hours if you don’t manage to pinpoint the cause behind the behavior. Normally, the behavior stops once you find the problem. However, if it becomes a habit and the crying gets triggered by the most random things, it can be quite frustrating. So how do you stop a puppy from crying? Are there key steps you need to do? Learn more about this puppy problem below.
Why Do Pups Cry in the First Place?
Crying or whining is a natural response of young animals like your pup. It could mean many things ranging from pain, boredom, hunger, fear, separation anxiety, or even bowel problems. As a responsible dog owner, you will need to distinguish these factors as accurately as you can. This way, you know how to respond to the behavior. Let’s take a closer look:
Pain
Many pups tend to whimper or whine when they feel pain. If you suspect illness or pain, you should double-check its cause. If you’re not sure, we suggest heading to the nearest vet clinic for a quick examination. This way, you can narrow down the source of the problem, get the treatment needed, and address the whining habit.
Boredom
It’s typical for pups to whine when they want to attract their owners’ attention. Sometimes, the dog can cry for several hours during the day or night until they get what they want. You might also notice this behavior when you talk over the phone or petting other dogs (or other animals) in the house.
Hunger
Can you think of a better way for dogs to vocalize hunger? Pups often depend on whining or barking to voice out that they’re starving. Sometimes, they might feel hungry because you missed mealtime. Others, on one hand, hunger because of the following:
- The meals don’t provide enough calories
- Your pup has burnt out his calories after a long playtime
- Their metabolism burns calories faster than usual (This is quite common among young and developing dogs)
Typically, a young dog needs to feed at least three to four times per day until he reaches ten months. After that, your dog might only need to eat no more than two meals a day.
Fear or stress
Newly rehomed pups sometimes take time to adjust to their surroundings and their pack. If you have another dog in the house, it may help to prepare him before the new pup arrives. Otherwise, it might only end up in an ugly situation where both dogs turn aggressive towards each other. This can trigger fear or stress in the younger pooch and cause the whining problem.
Separation anxiety
Do you notice your pup crying whenever you leave the room or the house for work? Do you also observe destructive behaviors like chewing your shoes or defecating inside the house? If you answer yes, then your pup might be showing signs of separation anxiety.
This is quite common among shelter dogs who experienced neglect or abuse. If you think your pup suffers from the same problem, it may help to seek a dog trainer’s help to correct the behavior. You can also try other tactics like crate training, exercising, and using dog prescriptions or supplements for anxiety or panic disorders.
Bowel problems
Crying during defecation is often a sign of a bowel problem. Your pup might have ingested a substance he’s allergic to. It can also stem from other things like inflammatory bowel disease or even food poisoning. If, on one hand, your pup cries before pooping or peeing, then he might be asking you to take him to the toilet or his usual spot.
Getting to the bottom of the whining problem
Now that you have a bit of an idea of the usual reasons why puppies whine, it will be easier to plan your approach to correcting the problem. For example, if it stems from a health problem, your automatic response should be scheduling a trip to the vet.
If it’s due to hunger, make sure to schedule mealtime and check the recommended calorie intake of a dog based on the weight or size. Is it resulting from other issues like fear, stress, anxiety, boredom? If yes, then it’s time for you to start a training routine.
Keeping your pup reassured
Sometimes pups can also cry all night, leaving the rest of your household sleep deprived. If this sounds similar to you, we suggest placing their crate or sleeping bed near you. Leaving your dog to whimper all night long might be a bad idea, especially if he/she struggles with separation anxiety or stress. You can keep the arrangement for the first weeks until you start transitioning his sleeping quarters to a new environment.
We also suggest double-checking the crate. Is it comfortable enough? Does it have everything that your dog needs to get a sound sleep? Making the slightest improvements can go a long way for you and your dog’s comfort.
Rewarding your Pup’s Silence
Another proven way to reduce the whining is by instilling obedience and proper puppy etiquette to your dog. You can start by teaching him that silence is good and that staying behaved and quiet will get him rewards. Each time your pup falls silent, mark it with the sound of a clicker. Then, give him a quick reward, which can come in the form of a treat or extra cuddle time. Take the time to teach your dog this lesson. You can try experimenting with the duration of each session from five minutes to several hours.
Call in a Professional Dog Trainer in Delaware
If you don’t see results even after trying the tips we shared above, you can enroll your pup in our puppy training class. This way, your dog can get professional lessons on obedience and socialization. This can help reduce the whining and improve your pup’s demeanor. It can also come in handy in helping you nurture a happier relationship with your new puppy. Contact us today at Delaware K9 Academy for your queries!
