Whining

[kennyo]

The last week or so, my Gretzky has been whining constantly when he is either outside or in a different room than my wife and I. He's always been very needy, but he is getting worse. How can I get him to stop??

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

By giving him absolutely NO attention (not even eye contact) when whining. If he gets what he wants or your attention by whining it will never stop. So totally ignore him when he is whining and he'll give it up because it doesn't get him anything he wants.

 

[jray]

I agree. Ignoring him teaches him that's not the way to get things. It hurts you more than him. I learned this when we brought home our baby. He would whine to get out of his crate and my husband would tell me ignore him or he'll keep doing it. It took time but he knows now that when you are quiet you get things.

 

[kennyo]

Thanks! Is this a common Boxer behaviour?

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

All dogs try the whining technique to get our attention. It generally works too. Not a specific boxer issue, no.

 

[diego's heart]

Diego was the same way and ignoring does work. I remember leaving the room to make the point clear to him. Sometimes it's necessary for me to tell him "enough" which is usually when we're around company.