Why is my dog whining so much?
Whining is one of many forms of canine vocal communication. Dogs most commonly whine when they’re seeking attention, when they’re excited, when they’re anxious or when they’re trying to appease you.
The Night Whiner
This is usually a new greyhound trying to settle in. We had this happen the first night with our first dog, Peaches. She didn’t know how to climb stairs yet, and my husband didn’t know if having the dog in the bedroom would aggravate his allergies, so we left her downstairs in her kennel for the night. About half an hour later, Peaches decided she was lonely, and let out the most pitiful wailing I’d ever heard. I set up her bed just outside our bedroom door, while my husband carried her up the stairs. We left the door open, and, luckily, this was close enough. She settled right down, and the hallway became known as Peaches’ Room.
I have found it invaluable to walk my greyhound right before I turn in. An empty greyhound is a relaxed greyhound! She knows she’ll get a little treat right after we come in, so there’s no late-night sniffing around.
Some owners, however, will have the dog right there in the bedroom, and will be awakened by whining. Often, the first thought is to bring the dog up on the bed. Though some may disagree, I consider greyhounds on my bed a bad idea. They are pack animals, and bad things can happen when your head and your dog’s are on the same level, while you’re sleeping.
Stay calm yourself! Be sure not to worry about your dog because he will pick up on your worry and stress even more. The calmer and more laid back you are around him, the calmer he will be. Know that this is not something your dog is doing to “get even” with you for leaving him. He is not being “spiteful”. This is fear and anxiousness that is so extreme that it causes them to panic, loose control of their bowels and even sometimes injure themselves in an attempt to get to their pack.
Use their nose – Dogs are very nose oriented and some people have had good luck with essential oils like lavendar. Just scenting the bedding with it. Rescue Remedy is a combination of scents that help some dogs too. Then there is the DAP diffuser available in pet stores that has Dog Appeasing Pheromones in it. Sometimes putting an article of your clothing in the kennel with them helps.
Greyhounds have an upbringing unlike any other dogs. While most dogs are taken from their mothers and littermates at 8 or 10 weeks old or even earlier, greyhounds usually stay with their littermates for the first year of their lives and sometimes their mothers too. At around one year of age the litter goes together to race training. At around 15 months they are moved to racetracks. Ones with similar racing skill may be moved to the same track, but at this point they may be split up. The better racers are sent to better tracks and the ones that dont show as much promise are sent to lower end tracks or are retired without racing. At the farm, in training and at the racing kennel they are always around a large number of other greyhounds. When they retire and come to us they are even in a foster home with other greyhounds. The first time your dog has ever been alone in its life may be the first time you leave him. Understandably separation anxiety is one of the most common behavior problems we see in greyhounds.
Teach him commands – specifically “down” or “bed” and “stay”. Teach him to lay on his bed rather than following you from room to room when you are home. This teaches the dog self control and how to be away from you. Lack of self control is one of the problems with dogs that have separation anxiety. This is something that takes work and time.
Consider medication– having a medicated dog is not what most of us want, but with SA the dog is so stressed that it cant help acting out. He isnt doing it because he is mad at you, he really is miserable and afraid. Medication can take the edge off, so he can control himself and can learn to be comfortable alone. It usually isnt a permanent thing. Once the dog has learned how to relax when alone, most can be gradually weaned off the medication. Please talk to your vet if the methods above fail. Medication is a kinder solution than rehoming the dog. This type of dog loves you deeply and rehoming him will only fix the problem for you, while making his worst fear a reality.