Whining, can't put my finger on reason or solution.

[CKArmstrong]

I've read and tried most common things that are out there. I'm an experienced dog owner but this guy (Whiskey: Lurcher/Mastiff 7 months) insists that whining is a good thing. He's fine at night, he's used to his toilet schedule, he loves his crate and uses it volunteraly. We dont make a fuss putting him in or taking him out. He cries when he hears one of us move in the morning or when he's left alone after about the 1-2 hour mark. Here's where I can't work it out though:

In the morning my partner will shower and get ready for work and all the time he'll whine until the front door closes and she leaves then he stops.

Another thing, he's been in his crate in the other room for 3 hours now while I've been at home and he's been fine. Radio playing as normal. I'm not making any noise or doing anything that would let him know I'm home. Though I'm sure if I stepped out the front door he'd start up!

I just can't work it out and living in a flat it's getting increasingly desperate and hard to stay calm and assertive. Any help or suggestions would be great. I'll try and answer any further questions if needed.

 

[gypsysmum]

It is a bit hard to understand when he is whining. The bit about your partner getting ready for work is clear but the rest is not.

Whining is often an attention seeking behaviour. The dog whines and someone appears, or speaks to them, or opens the door for them etc. If this is what is going on then the only way to stop it is to ignore him completely when he whines. Only when he is quiet should he get any sort of attention. At first he will get worse (called an extinction burst) because he will try harder to make the whining work the way it used to. It is imperative that he is ignored during this extinction burst or it will be much harder to cure in the future.

The whining when your partner goes out might be a different, anxiety based, whining. Does he think he might be going with her? It is best to have a clear signal when the dog is coming with you and when he is staying home. Never touch the lead, for example, when the dog is being left. I give shooing movements with my hands, to indicate the dog is not coming this time, when I get ready to go out. Some people stuff a Kong toy and keep it in the fridge to be given when the dog is staying and they are going out.

It may be that there are several reasons for him whining and each could have a different solution. Ignoring will never hurt though. If you ignore the whining it is very important to make a mental note to pay attention to quiet behaviour. Set a timer for 30 seconds to start with and pay attention to him if he is quiet. After a while increase to 40 seconds then 50 etc. If he lets out a whine then re-set the timer.

Telling him off is still attention! It will increase any anxiety he may be feeling, too, which, in turn, may cause him to whine more