Whiny Dogs

[Iggy32]

One of my great friends has a malti-poo and each time she comes over with her,the dog starts to whine a lot.My 4 year old yorkie is very playful and tries to play with her but she isn't interested.She whines for food,attention and my friend thinks it's cute but i think it's very annoying when you try to have a conversation.I watched her dog for one night and i never want to do it again.
I left her alone for few minutes and there was a puddle of pee on my nice floors,she peed even tough i did take her outside and then she whined most of the day.I don't understand this.
I did tell my friend that her dog had an accident and she whined.She did ask me if i can watch her again when she goes on a 5day trip.I'm not sure i can.
I did google the whinning and it says sometimes the dog does it out of anxiety,pain,attention.
I'm not sure anymore why she does it.She is a very spoiled dog,she gets meals cooked for her and i don't appreciate my friend sharing the food i cooked for the adults being cut up in pieces and given to her dog while we are eating.I don't know how to approach her with all this

[rubymoon2072]

wow...sounds like you both have different ideas what is appropriate. her dog does however sound very spoiled and if she gives into every whine then there is the reason. i wish you luck and really you can only be honest in my opinion with what works for you and what doesnt.

[Iggy32]

Yes i don't understand why she doesn't see if does bother me and my husband when her dog does that.Also all of our mutual friends have said the same thing so i'm not the only one haha.I would never think it's cute that my dog whines when i have guests over.
Hopefully i can talk to her about this.Thanks for your response

[navillusc]

She may be encouraging bad habits the dog has developed out of anxiety, etc. Your friend may think it's cute now, but for how long will it remain cute?

If she is a really good friend...one that you might give a gift to...maybe this is an opportunity for you to find a book about Malti-Poo's that includes some training tips and acceptable doggie behavior...and lots of cute pictures, etc.

[Iggy32]

I did talk to her about it few moments ago and she did some research and sent me this:

Attention-Seeking Whining

If your dog uses whining behavior to seek attention, rewards or desired objects, you need to teach her that remaining quiet is a better strategy. Sometimes reducing attention-seeking whining may be difficult because owners may unwittingly reinforce the behavior. Realize that any eye contact, touching or talking to your dog—even if you’re scolding her—all constitute attention. Use dramatic body language such as turning away from your dog or folding your arms across your chest and completely ignore her to indicate to your dog that her attention-seeking whining won’t work.

In addition to not reinforcing whining behavior, you need to reward your dog for being quiet. Teach your dog that she must always be quiet before receiving your attention, play or treats. Regularly seek out your dog to give her attention and rewards when she’s not whining. When your dog understands that silence works well to get your attention, she won’t feel as motivated to whine.

Don’t hesitate to contact a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) in your area. Many CPDTs offer group or private classes that can give you and your dog lots of great skills to learn and games to play that will reduce her appeasement whining, whining during greetings and attention-seeking whining.Please see our article, Finding Professional Help, to locate a CPDT in your area.


And the book idea sounds great.Thanks

[navillusc]

Oh that's great that she researched it a bit. Good luck. It sounds like your friend is opening up to the idea that there might be something correctable happening with her fur baby. It is not good for a dog to be overly anxious any more than it is good for them to act out in a 'spoiled' fashion reinforced by their owners, or be fearful of every sound or everything that moves, etc.. I hope the whining gets resolved or at least reduced to an acceptable level. My concern would, of course, be that the Malti-Poo's home might not be furever at some point because of the annoyance factor. Better to correct it now. Besides, it would be great if your really good friend's pup can be a well-mannered playmate for your well-mannered Yorkie so you can all do stuff together.

[RoxyLuv]

Is it her intent to use the info to start retraining her dog herself before their trip, or is she expecting you to do the retraining while she's gone?

[Iggy32]

Yes it is her intent to do this.I don't have time to train her dog.Hopefully it will work

[RoxyLuv]

Oh good! Hopefully you'll get a much improved version to take care of. Nice to have those tips to reinforce with. That would drive me crazy too. It would really be hard for me. Roxy has never whined in the nearly 3-1/2 yrs of her life. Don't even know what her whine would sound like. lol! I was never allowed to whine, my boys weren't allowed to whine, and now my little Roxy girl doesn't even seem to know how. Gotta luv it!!!

Good luck with this!!!

[R_Z]

Good luck.