Why Does My Bichon Frise Whine

The Bichon Frise is a small breed that looks just like the Maltese. Its French name literally translates to “curly lap dog.” Although tiny, the Bichon Frise is exceptionally muscled. They have long necks and well-developed chests. They have a soft, hypo-allergenic and loosely curled coat and they make great cuddle buddies. Cheerful, fun-loving and affectionate, the Bichon Frise is naturally social and is excellent with children. However, they can be difficult to housebreak. It is important to do a little research before selecting your very own Bichon Frise because some lines have been carelessly overbred. One of the more unpleasant characteristics of the Bichon Frise is whining so be prepared for it if you are thinking of getting one as a pet.

Whining is one of the primary signs of stress. Usually, if whining is caused by stress, it will be accompanied by panting, cowering, pacing, lip licking, and an inability to respond to cues. If you are in the process of training your Bichon and you notice him whining, it is possible that he is already over the threshold in terms of stress and that you may need to make some changes with your training methods. If your Bichon is excited, he may start whining. When they get so excited, they may be unable to control themselves. They jump, bark, whine, and just go crazy in certain situations, such as their favorite human coming home after a long day at work. The Bichon Frise will whine for attention too, especially the little puppies. Leave the room and your pooch will immediately start whining because he does not want to be left alone and wants you to come back immediately.

Of course, your Bichon Frise will also whine if he is in pain. If you notice him whining when he gets up or goes down the stairs or when he puts weight on one leg, it might be time to see the veterinarian. Old dogs may whine when they move because of arthritis. Does your Bichon whine when he greets new people or new animals? Appeasement whining is something that a non-confident Bichon will do. Dogs believe that these new people or animals may be a threat and that by whining they may be able to appease them. Appeasement whining is accompanied by the avoidance of eye contact, tucked tails, ears held back, and rolling on their backs. If your dog displays more than one of these behaviors, it may be time to seek the assistance of the professionals to teach your dog to be more confident and overcome his fear of meeting strangers. 

Constant dog whining can upset the equilibrium of even the most level-headed person. However, your dog is unable to communicate how he is feeling verbally. He will sometimes resort to growling, whining, and barking. So, how can you stop your dog’s constant whining? If your dog‘s whining has just started happening recently, there is a very big possibility that he is in pain. Some painful conditions show few external signs, but they can also be medical emergencies such as gastric torsion. For sudden whining, it is important to consult your veterinarian right away. 

When your Bichon is whining in the presence of strangers, it is time to start building his confidence. There are various training activities such as agility, obedience and the likes which can help build your dog’s confidence. Adolescent dogs that have not grown out of the phase when they constantly need their humans and always whine for their attention, should be ignored. This might be something that is very difficult to do for excessively emphatic owners but ignore your dog and you will be better for it. Dogs that whine out of boredom clearly need something to stimulate them. Keep him busy and involve other family members in introducing various activities.

Training is something that is very useful if your Bichon is constantly whining. Clicker training is one of the most frequently used types of training for this and it has been shown to eliminate some cases of whining. It requires patience but if you are willing to dedicate time to it, it can be the answer to your situation. If you think that you will have difficulties putting a stop to the whining, do not be afraid to call in an expert trained to deal with doggie problems. Your veterinarian might be able to get you in contact with one of them. 

Constant dog whining can be tough to address for anyone no matter how patient you are. The first step you should take is to ensure that it is not related to any medical issues. Then, gradually eliminate all other causes so that you can get relief and get your dog on the path to being well-adjusted and happy.