How to Stop a Dog From Whining: Causes and Fixes (Including at Night)
Why dogs whine and how to stop it: night-time and crate whining, attention-seeking, excitement, anxiety and pain, with a simple plan for each situation.
· Updated · 5 min read
Whining (along with crying and whimpering) is your dog’s way of saying “I need something.” Sometimes it’s obvious, like a toilet break or dinner. Sometimes it’s anxiety, excitement or pain. The key to stopping whining is figuring out which need you’re hearing, because the fix for each one is different.
Quick answer: how to stop a dog from whining
- Check basic needs: toilet, water, food, comfortable temperature.
- Rule out pain, especially if the whining is new or happens when your dog moves or is touched.
- Don’t reward demand whining. Wait for 2–3 seconds of quiet, then give attention.
- Teach a calm alternative like sit, lying on a mat or a “look at me”.
- Meet exercise and enrichment needs so your dog isn’t bored.
- Address anxiety gradually, through routine, a safe space and desensitization.
- For puppies at night, keep the crate near you and do quiet toilet trips.
Why do dogs whine?
| Type of whining | What it sounds/looks like | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Need-based | Whining by the door, bowl or leash | “I need to go out / I’m hungry / thirsty” |
| Attention-seeking | Whines while staring at you, stops when you respond | “Look at me! Play with me!” (learned) |
| Excitement | High-pitched whining with wiggling, before walks or when visitors arrive | Over-arousal |
| Anxiety / stress | Whining with pacing, panting, yawning, tucked tail | Fear, separation distress, storms |
| Pain or discomfort | Whining when moving, lying down or being touched | Injury, arthritis, illness |
| Appeasement | Whining with crouched posture, licking, rolling over | “I’m not a threat”, often to people or other dogs |
| Cognitive decline | Night-time whining and confusion in a senior dog | Canine cognitive dysfunction |
Whining in the crate and at night
The complete routine is in our guide to puppy crying in the crate at night.
Night-time whining is most common in new puppies and newly adopted dogs. They’re in a strange place, often alone for the first time.
For puppies
- Toilet trip right before bed. Most night whining is “I need to pee.”
- Put the crate next to your bed for the first 1–3 weeks. Being able to smell and hear you is very comforting. Gradually move it if you want to.
- Make the crate cozy: soft bedding, a cover over three sides, and a chew. A snuggle toy with a heartbeat or a T-shirt that smells of you can help.
- Answer genuine toilet calls quietly. No talking or play, straight out and straight back.
- Make the crate great during the day. Feed meals in it and give special chews there. See our full crate training guide.
For adult dogs
- Make sure your dog has had enough exercise and mental stimulation in the evening.
- Check the sleeping area: too hot, too cold, too bright or too noisy?
- Senior dogs who suddenly start whining at night may have joint pain, need to toilet more often, or cognitive decline. All are worth discussing with your vet.
Attention-seeking whining
If whining reliably gets you to look, talk, pet or play, your dog will keep using it. To stop it:
- Make sure needs are met first. Was your dog walked, fed and given a chance to toilet?
- Wait for quiet. When your dog whines for attention, look away and stay still. The moment they pause for 2–3 seconds, give calm attention.
- Teach a polite alternative. Reward sitting quietly or lying on a mat, especially at times your dog usually whines, like while you’re working or eating.
- Stay consistent. Giving in “just this once” after a long whine teaches your dog to whine longer.
- Expect an extinction burst. Whining usually gets louder before it fades. Stick with it.
Whining from excitement
Lots of dogs whine with anticipation before a walk, in the car on the way to the park, or when guests arrive.
- Keep departures and greetings calm. Excited voices increase arousal.
- Only move forward when quiet: pick up the leash, and if your dog whines, put it down and wait. Repeat until they’re calm, then head out.
- Give an outlet: a toy to carry or a quick sit-down-sit routine.
- For car whining, practice short, boring car rides that don’t always end somewhere exciting.
Whining from anxiety or stress
Anxious whining usually comes with other signs: pacing, panting, trembling, yawning, lip-licking, hiding or a tucked tail.
- Identify the trigger: being left alone, loud noises (see fireworks anxiety), strangers, the vet, car rides.
- Create a safe space: a covered crate or quiet corner your dog can retreat to.
- Desensitize gradually: expose your dog to a low level of the trigger and pair it with treats, increasing very slowly.
- Separation-related whining needs a structured plan of very short absences. If your dog also destroys things or soils the house when alone, follow our separation anxiety training plan and talk to your vet.
- Avoid punishment. Scolding a frightened dog adds to the fear.
Whining because of pain
If whining is new, happens when your dog moves, lies down, jumps or is touched, or comes with limping, a hunched posture, restlessness, panting or loss of appetite, see your vet. Pain is common, especially in older dogs with arthritis, and very treatable.
Never give human painkillers like ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen (paracetamol). They can be toxic to dogs.
Whining when you come home
Greeting whines are usually excitement and appeasement. Keep arrivals low-key: ignore whining for a moment, then greet calmly once your dog settles. Scattering a few treats on the floor gives them something to do with their excitement.
How to stop a dog howling
Howling is a long-distance call. Dogs howl to make contact, in response to sirens, music or other dogs, and sometimes because they’re distressed.
| Howls when… | What helps |
|---|---|
| Sirens, music or other dogs howl | Usually harmless and short. Calmly call your dog away and reward quiet; mask outside noise with music or white noise |
| Left alone | Often a sign of separation distress. See our separation anxiety guide |
| Wanting attention | Don’t respond to howling; reward quiet moments instead, as with attention-seeking whining |
| At night, in a senior dog | Can point to pain, confusion or cognitive decline. Talk to your vet |
Hounds, Huskies, Malamutes and Beagles howl more than most breeds. You can reduce it, but some howling is part of who they are.
Breeds that whine more
Some breeds are more vocal by nature: Siberian Huskies (famous for “talking”), Beagles and other hounds, German Shepherds, Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas. You can reduce whining in these breeds, but don’t expect total silence.
Related guides and tools
- Pet behavior analysis tool
- How to stop excessive barking
- Crate training a puppy
- Free online dog whistle with training signals
Frequently asked questions
Should I ignore my dog when it whines?
Only if you’re sure all their needs are met and the whining is attention-seeking. First rule out a toilet need, hunger, thirst, pain or fear. If it’s demand whining, wait for a moment of quiet before giving attention. Expect it to get briefly worse before it improves.
How do I stop my dog whining at night?
Take them out to toilet right before bed, make sure they’ve had enough exercise and a chance to chew during the evening, and keep their bed or crate close to you, especially for puppies and new rescues. For puppies, a quiet toilet trip when they wake is normal. If an adult dog suddenly starts whining at night, see your vet.
Why does my dog whine for no reason?
There’s almost always a reason, even if it isn’t obvious: boredom, anxiety, needing to toilet, hearing something you can’t, or pain. Senior dogs may whine at night because of cognitive dysfunction or joint pain. Note when it happens and what came before, and ask your vet if you can’t find a pattern.
How long will a puppy whine in a crate?
Usually a few nights to a couple of weeks if the crate is introduced positively and placed near you. Make it great during the day with meals and chews inside, and don’t let the puppy out *because* of whining unless they need the toilet.
Why do dogs cry at night?
Common reasons are needing the toilet, loneliness (especially puppies in a new home), boredom, being too hot or cold, and, in older dogs, pain or confusion. Check basic needs first, keep the bed close to you for puppies, and talk to your vet if an adult or senior dog starts crying at night out of the blue.
Why is my dog crying or whimpering?
Crying and whimpering are softer forms of whining, and they have the same causes: a need like the toilet or food, wanting attention, excitement, anxiety, or pain. If the crying is new, constant, or happens when your dog moves or is touched, see your vet to rule out pain.
Is whining a sign of pain in dogs?
It can be. Pain-related whining often comes with restlessness, panting, a hunched posture, limping, reluctance to move or jump, licking a body part, or whining when touched. If you suspect pain, see a vet. Never give human painkillers; many are toxic to dogs.
Note: This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Some links may be affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Written with AI assistance. Editorial review in progress. Last updated: . How we create our content
