Why is my dog restless and whiny?

Recognizing and treating pain in dogs has evolved dramatically over time. Since dogs are living longer and longer, they are also experiencing the deterioration and debilitation that goes along with aging. This includes the development of osteoarthritis, which involves painful inflammation of the joints. It is a dog’s instinct to hide or mask its pain, making pain difficult to diagnose. No one is in a better position to identify the subtle changes in behavior that may signal pain than human family members. When a dog is experiencing pain, the following are changes that you may notice. These signs will signal the need to visit your veterinarian.

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Your dog is looking for something
Fear of something
Is my dog whining because of pain?

Vocalizing.You may notice your dog groaning or grunting when he stands up or lays down. You may hear him whining or whimpering as he tries to get comfortable.

Changes in activities of daily living.You may notice pacing or restlessness because your dog cannot find a comfortable place to lie down. Likewise, he may repeatedly get up and lie down in an attempt to find a comfortable position. You may notice he has less energy, or decreased endurance for previously enjoyable activities like walks and play, chasing a ball, or swimming. Once down, he may be reluctant to get back up. He may be less eager to jump up onto a bed or onto furniture. It may be more difficult for him to get into the car for a ride. You may notice trembling in his legs (particularly the rear legs). He may become reluctant to go up or down stairs. Finally, he may develop difficulty walking on slick floor surfaces.

Changes in daily habits.A dog who is painful may withdraw from his usual family interactions. He may become less engaged in his surroundings. You may notice decreased eating and/or drinking. You may also notice changes in sleeping patterns - some painful dogs sleep more, while others sleep less. Some painful dogs have lapses in housetraining because it is uncomfortable to get up to go outside. It is painful to get into position to urinate or defecate, so he may hold his urine or stool for so long that he has accidents.

Self-mutilation.Some dogs will lick obsessively at areas of the body that are painful. He may chew at the offending areas, removing hair and actually damaging the skin.

Changes in facial expressions. A dog who is painful may pant excessively, even at rest. His facial expression may be described as a grimace, and he may seem to have a vacant stare off into space. Some painful dogs actually have a wide-eyed look. Other dogs may appear to be half asleep with partially closed eyelids. This facial expression may result from a lack of sleep because he has difficulty getting comfortable.

Uncharacteristic aggression. Painful dogs who have previously been very friendly and gentle may begin to act completely out of character. He may growl when people or other pets in the household approach him, and he may lash out if handled. He may resent being brushed or combed and may appear to have a very defensive posture when simply lounging around the house, watching carefully what is happening around him in order to avoid painful encounters.

Abnormal postures. A painful dog may stand with his front legs back under his chest in order to take some of the weight away from painful hips or rear legs. You may notice that once he sits, his rear legs splay off to the left or right, rather than being tucked underneath as is normal. When standing up he may seem to pull himself up by his front legs, rather than pushing himself up with his rear legs. He may also prefer to sit rather than to stand, and to lie down rather than to sit when stopping along the way during a walk.

Any or all of these changes may indicate pain and should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. It is now understood that the sooner pain is recognized and managed, your dog’s quality of life will be maintained, as well as your dog’s (and your family’s) daily living activities.

Your dog had breakfast and a nice long walk. You’ve settled her into a soft bed with a favorite chew toy. Now, it’s time for you to get to work in your home office. But you’ve no sooner powered up the computer than the whining starts. Sound familiar? Let’s be honest: No matter how much we love our fur babies, if you live with a whiner, it can drive you crazy. However, it’s important to remember that whining is a form of communication for our dogs, say training experts at the ASPCA. The key is to properly interpret the noise and figure out how to work with her on it.

Although it may seem like your dog is whining for no good reason, that’s not usually the case. The best way to make the whining stop is to figure out what your dog is trying to tell you. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons dogs whine.

Your dog is looking for something

Ever had your dog whine when her favorite ball rolled under furniture and out of reach? You stoop down, retrieve the ball, and throw it back to her, and the whining immediately stops. Or maybe your dog looks up at you and whines when you’re relaxing on the couch. You instinctively scoot over and invite her to jump up. Before long, she’s fast asleep cuddled up beside you on the sofa. These are the moments in everyday life when your dog uses whining to tell you what she wants.

Grabbing your coat or putting on your shoes can be enough to make some dogs whine. They think: Walk time! Naturally, they are excited to head out on an adventure. You can stop excitement whining with positive-motivation training. When your dog whines, give a “quiet” command and follow up with praise and a treat as soon as the whining stops. Begin this training in the house and then follow up on the way to your destination.

Fear of something

Some dogs whine when they are scared or anxious. Other symptoms might include pacing, trembling, or panting, according to experts at the American Kennel Club (AKC). In this case, you’ll need to figure out what’s scaring your dog and how to make her feel more comfortable. If it’s loud noises such as fireworks or thunder, provide your dog with a safe space. A crate or basement room without windows may work. Playing soft background music can help mask the scary sounds. Some dogs get comfort from chewing on a bone or interacting with a puzzle toy.

If your dog starts to whine, pace, or drool when you’re about to leave the house, she may suffer from separation anxiety. According to the AKC, around 14% of dogs suffer from this disorder. Since the symptoms of separation anxiety could also be the signs of other health issues, experts advise taking your dog for a checkup. If there’s no medical issue, follow these tips to help relieve your dog’s anxiety when home alone.

The goal is to make going and coming from the house as uneventful as possible. That means no long goodbyes. Just give your dog a treat and leave. Returning should also be no big deal, so ignore your dog until she calms down.
Playing soft music and providing chew toys can help some dogs relax when alone.
Use sit, down, and stay exercises to help your dog get comfortable in a room by herself even when the family is home.
In severe cases, calming supplements or medication may be needed.

We all know this one. Many needy dogs use whining to get their owner’s attention. Often that results in extra petting, playtime, or a treat, so they continue to do it. Whenever you give in to an attention whine, you’re using positive reinforcement, even though you don’t want to. Instead, wait for a break in the whine and then reward with a pat or a snack.

Is my dog whining because of pain?

Whining could be a sign that your dog is in pain. For example, if your dog whines climbing the stairs or when trying to jump on the couch, she may have joint pain due to arthritis. If you suspect your dog is in pain, it’s important to have her checked out. Your veterinarian can prescribe medication to manage the pain and may also suggest an exercise or massage routine to make your pup more comfortable.

If your dog is whining just to get your attention, ignoring her is the best way to stop the behavior, training experts say. When the whining starts, avoid eye contact by turning away from your dog. Don’t touch or speak to her, and that includes no scolding — she just sees that as a form of attention. Be sure to reinforce positive behavior by rewarding your dog for being quiet.

If your adult dog has successfully used attention-seeking whining to train you, it’s going to take time and patience to break that habit. After all, you’ve played a role by unintentionally rewarding the behavior, and now it’s up to you to teach your dog a different way. By being consistent with your training, you will soon be spending quality quiet time with your best furry friend.