Understanding Why Does My Australian Shepherd Whine So Much?

Last Updated on July 4, 2023

Suppose you have recently noticed your Australian shepherd whining for no reason. In that case, it may be a curious behaviour that causes you to worry about whether your Aussie is ill. In general, such behaviour from an Aussie may indicate that they are in distress or are feeling pain physically.

Why does my Australian shepherd whine so much? This article will deal with some of the causes of an Australian shepherd whining and how you may deal with such behaviour without it escalating into something worse.

Understanding the Causes of Whining in Australian Shepherds

Why does my Australian shepherd whine so much? The causes of such behaviour can be many. The owner must note when their Aussie whines to determine their feelings. Some indicators of an Aussie whining may include:

• They are feeling anxious or stressed: This can be one of the top reasons for any dog, including an Aussie, to whine; if they are feeling exceedingly stressed because of an environmental change or separation anxiety, then they may whine.

• They are feeling pain: In some cases, an Aussie may whine to indicate bodily pain; it might be so that they are injured and hence are whining in pain.

• They are excited: Aussies, in some cases, may also whine to show excitement; this can be evident if they are looking for mental stimulation or exercise in the park.
• They are looking for attention: Your Aussie may whine to get your attention in many cases. If you need to be more mindful in giving them the required attention, they will whine to get your attention focused on them.

These are some of the causes through which you may try to note your Aussie’s whining behaviour. In rare cases, their whining may also indicate a medical disorder. Hence, getting your Aussie checked by an animal vet can be essential to rule out medical causes.

The Different Types of Whining in Australian Shepherds

Australian shepherds typically have different reasons for whining and may not whine simply for a single reason. Hence it can be essential to try and assess the type of whining they are exhibiting to gauge their behaviour:

• If your Aussie is excited:Your Aussie will generally run around in circles, bark loudly and wag its tails up and down in a rapid motion to indicate they are excited about doing a task.

• If your Aussie is stressed: Your Aussie will display signs of tremors and shivering and may even freeze up in places out of fear; they may lick their lips or pant rapidly as if unable to breathe.
• If your Aussie is looking for attention:Your Aussie may tug at your clothes, bark or whine loudly and try their best to distract your attention from your current to get you to focus on them instead.

Why does my Australian shepherd whine? Despite the above, your Aussie may also display whining behaviour. If you notice these symptoms, you may need professional intervention.

How To Interpret Your Australian Shepherd’s Whining Behaviour

Sometimes, interpreting an Australian shepherd’s whining behaviour can be slightly tricky. However, it is undoubtedly possible to crack down on precisely what might be causing your Aussie to whine so much as if in pain or mental distress.

Attention-seeking is one of the most common reasons for a dog to whine. Your Aussie may be whining to tell you that it wants food, water, a walk, or attention. Suppose you consistently respond to your dog’s whining by giving it what it wants. In that case, it may continue to whine.

Another reason that dogs may whine is that they are feeling uncomfortable or in pain. If your Aussie is whining and also showing signs of discomfort, such as licking its paws or not being able to settle, it’s essential to take it to the vet to rule out any health issues.

Dogs may also whine when they are anxious, stressed or bored. For example, if your Aussie is left alone for long periods, it may start to whine out of boredom or anxiety. It’s essential to provide your dog with plenty of exercise, mental stimulation and affection to help reduce its stress levels.

Finally, dogs may whine when communicating with other dogs or people. For example, a dog may whine about signalling another dog that it wants to play or tell someone that it’s scared. Understanding your Aussie’s body language and vocal cues can help you to interpret its whining behaviour.

Why does my Australian shepherd whine so much? Eventually, all of this can boil down to the owner themselves as they may need to change some of their routines or start training their Aussie using positive reinforcement to eliminate the whining behaviour.

Common Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Whine and How To Address Them

Generally, looking at why Australian shepherds are whining won’t be enough to get rid of the behaviour from your Aussie. Instead, you will have to address why your Aussie is whining. Some of the ways you can do that are:

• Attention-seeking: Aussies may whine to get our attention, especially when they want food, water, a walk, or simply love and affection. When this happens, we can give them the attention they crave. Still, it’s essential to be careful not to reinforce the whining behaviour by always giving in to their demands.
• Discomfort or pain: If our Aussie is whining and showing signs of discomfort or pain, such as licking its paws or not settling, it’s essential to take them to the vet. This will help us address any underlying health issues and ensure they feel best.
• Anxiety or stress: Aussies sometimes whine out of boredom, anxiety, or stress, mainly when left alone for long periods. To address this, we should ensure they get plenty of exercises, mental stimulation, and affection. We can also leave a toy or treat for them to distract them while we’re away.
• Communication: Aussies may also whine to communicate with other dogs or people. For instance, they may whine about signalling another dog they want to play with or tell us that they are scared. To understand this behaviour, we should pay attention to their body language and vocal cues and respond in a way that meets their needs.

Understanding why your Aussie is whining and addressing the behaviour can help improve their overall well-being and happiness. Whether seeking attention, feeling uncomfortable or in pain, experiencing anxiety or stress, or communicating with others, it’s essential to respond in a way that meets their needs.

When To Seek Professional Help for Your Australian Shepherd’s Whining Behaviour

Generally, the whining behaviour of an Australian shepherd can be resolved through positive reinforcement training to make your Aussie more obedient and responsive to commands. However, some cases may require professional help from an animal veterinarian to deal with an Aussie’s whining behaviour; some signs that indicate it’s time to seek help include:

• Whining that is so excessive that it interferes with your ability to sleep or enjoy your home
• Whining that is accompanied by other behaviour problems such as chewing, digging, or barking excessively
• Whining that is a result of separation anxiety or fear and is causing your dog distress
• Whining that is a result of pain or discomfort and is not resolved by a visit to the vet

Why does my Australian shepherd whine so much? If you are concerned about your Aussie’s whining behaviour. Consulting a veterinary behaviourist or a professional dog trainer may be essential and help you determine the cause of the behaviour and develop a customised training and management plan to address it. In some cases, they may also prescribe medications or other forms of therapy to help manage the behaviour.

Remember, it’s essential to address excessive whining in Aussies, as it can lead to other behavioural problems and negatively impact their quality of life. By seeking professional help when needed, you can help ensure that your dog is happy and healthy.

Conclusion

Why does my Australian shepherd whine so much? Whining is a common form of communication for Australian Shepherds. Various factors, including attention-seeking, discomfort or pain, anxiety or stress, and communication with others, can cause it. Understanding the underlying cause of your Aussie’s whining behaviour is the key to addressing it effectively.

While some whining is typical and can be managed through proper training, excessive whining and other symptoms may indicate a more serious issue and require professional help.