Puppy whining

[juzchillin]

My 4 month old pup is whining "a lot"; sitting around, laying around, there seems to be no rhyme or reason. She is clearly not in any pain or discomfort. Is this the beginning of her talking maybe? Any ideas?

[Laura]

Do you give her attention when she does this (pet her, say oh poor baby)? She might be doing this to get a reaction out of you. It might be a game to her.

I would make a Vet visit anyway just to rule out any health problems. My girl only whined when she was in pain because her back went out.

[SABELLESMOM]

I'd get her to a vet. There could very well be a reason for her to cry.

[JeanT]

Originally Posted by juzchillin

She is clearly not in any pain or discomfort.

What you described certainly could be pain or discomfort. I'm assuming this, or at least part of this, is a change in her behavior. It's not really normal puppy behavior. I also would not expect it to be a way to get "poor puppy" attention. Puppy energy would break through the sitting and lying around.

I would take her to the vet for a full check up. And no, I don't think she's learning to "speak", other than trying to tell you there is something wrong.

[juzchillin]

TY for your reply. We do not give her attention when she does this. We have just had her in for a check up and her last set of shots. It's almost like the same whine she uses when she does want out to pee. I will watch her more closely so see if there is a pattern.

[JeanT]

Did the behavior start after the shots?

[juzchillin]

No. She's been doing it for awhile now. The whine sounds the same as when she is at the door wanting out. She whines when the kids go to bed, or when she's just laying around. That is why i really thought it was the beginning of her "talking". She doesn't whine all day or anything either, just here and there. More annoying than anything. lol (babies)

[JeanT]

OK, I thought the activity level had changed along with the whining developing. I think I know the kind of whining you're talking about. One of my sister's dogs does it, for attention. Often along with a head bump up under your hand. It drives us all crazy but always does result in getting the attention. I'm sure it could be trained out, but everyone in contact with her would have to always ignore her, and that isn't going to happen. I find it an extremely irritating sound (one reason it always results in attention, to get it to stop), and the behavior (frequency) has only gotten worse.

Unless for some reason you like that sound and want a lot more of it, train it out NOW.