Hello Melinda and Axil,
Training them to stop whining (or barking) can be one of the most difficult things to teach them. First they have to understand what you want from them and then you really have to work at getting the results. You can't ignore or reward the behavoir (by giving them what they want) some of the time but then expect them to obey other times. Why should they? There is no down side for them and they know the whining gets them what they want.
Our problem was with barking. Gus is spoiled and gets away with a lot but I cannot stand too much barking. So while training I would always deal with it. It didn't matter if I was busy or someone I didn't know was at the door. If he was barking my attention went to him and getting him to stop. Gus isn't the best trained dog in the world but if he knows anything it is "no bark".
I watch my sister's Maltese (terrible barker) for a few weeks every year and even manage to get him to bark less and less while he is here.
The key is to work on it all the time--don't ignore it, deal with it--until they are completely trained.
Good luck and welcome to YT!!! |