Cocker Spaniel Whining

Dogs have an amazing ability to learn how to get the attention of the humans in their lives. Most Cocker Spaniel whining is a direct result of reinforcement of the behavior right from the first time the dog or puppy whines. If the puppy learns that by whining he or she will get picked up, played with, taken outside for some activity or even given negative attention this behavior will be self-reinforcing, ensuring that the whining will continue to be a problem.

However, Cocker Spaniel whining can also occur if the dog is genuinely stressed, anxious, or in pain. It is important that any changes in behavior, including whining suddenly developing in adult dogs, result in a closer examination of the dog’s overall health. When whining occurs when the dog is sitting or attempting to move about it can be a sign of muscle pain, hip problems or arthritis in even young dogs. Painful whining when eating can be a sign of gum or tooth problems or even digestive problems. Early and immediate treatment to cure the painful conditions will typically end the whining issues.

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It is also normal for Cocker Spaniel whining to occur with puppies. This is because the puppy uses whining as a way to signal to the mother dog that something is not right. Puppies can whine if they are too hot, too cold, hungry, thirsty or lonely. This type of whining can be handled by ensuring your puppy always has access to fresh water, lives in a secure, comfortable home, has things to play with, people to interact with and regular food. Checking when the pup whines and providing anything missing in the environment is important, but it is also important not to be overly protective and highly attentive to a puppy that is health, has all its needs met and continues to whine. They do have to learn to be independent and away from people for short to longer periods of time to prevent the development of highly attached, neurotic types of dogs.

When health problems are not the cause of Cocker Spaniel whining and the puppy or juvenile dog isn’t in any discomfort it is likely an attention seeking behavior.  The key to correcting this type of behavior is to simply ignore the dog when it is whining, avoiding all types of attention. If the Cocker Spaniel whining has been rewarded by the dog being talked to, petted or cuddled in the past, this training will take time and consistency to bring about.

Cocker Spaniel whining has to be treated the same by every member of the family if it is for attention. When the dog whines do not make eye contact, don’t talk to the dog and do not pet or play with the dog. When he or she stops whining, wait about 3 seconds and then pet the dog and make eye contact. This reinforces that only when the dog is quiet will he or she get attention. Over a period of days the dog will relearn the desired behavior and whining should gradually disappear from his or her repertoire.