My question is about my 2.5 year old German Shepherd entire bitch.  She whines for about half the day and it is driving me mad.  I don't know if it is boredom or something else or is it just something like a habit that will continue for the rest of her life.  She has always been like this though from an 8 week old puppy when we picked her up from the breeder she whined all the way home in the car and has barely shut up since.  Her worst whine is when getting ready for a walk when it is at its loudest.  What I am now doing is waiting for quiet before we proceed through the door but it still takes about 10 mins before we can leave.  She whines when she is left on her own in the kitchen or when she wants attention if we are there but sometimes it seems to be for no reason at all.  She gets walked and attention like playing with a ball indoors but is she just fed up and needs constant stimulation? We have tried the totally ignoring her when she does it but it doesn't work. The trainer we used to go to just said german shepherds can be very vocal but it is just such an annoying sound like an alarm going off that just gets on your nerves.  Any suggestions? or do I just have to put up with it?

My dog is a whiner.  She whines to go out, come in, attention, when the TV commercials come on, when she wants her dinner, etc.  It's not continuous and TBH it only bothers me if she starts during something I am trying to listen to.  It's better than barking a lot. There was a GSD at training that barked continuously and each bark went straight through me.

My Cavalier whines if he wants attention, or if I'm starting to put shoes in, get bags ready etc, and he wants me to hurry up and take him for a walk! We've tried everything - again it doesn't bother me hugely though I could live without it very happily, but it drives my OH up the wall!

My dog attempts to whine.... I can't stand it, never have!

When told to shut up he does it ever soooooo quietly - a muted sort of noise - as he knows full well it's not acceptable behaviour.

So he does this discreet (or at least, he thinks it's discreet) little grunting noise.  It's really sweet.

He's the tops!
  Jill

Hiya,

It could well be that she's just talking!  However if she's attention seeking the only way to stop it is to NEVER respond to it negatively or positively other wise you are giving her the response she is looking for.  If you ignore it most of the time and then give in by rewarding the behaviour with a response every now and then, you are actually making the behaviour stronger as she just learns that if she keeps whining you will eventually give in.  If you think it may be through boredom then give her something to keep her mind occupied like kongs and treat balls, hide things for her to find, or a nice raw bone for her to chew on, teaching her some fun tricks.  Hope you get it sorted, a constant whiner would drive me nuts :-)

Karen

When I read the title of this post I though I bet it's a shepherd 

One of mine is a whiner, and one is a wolf howler. It is a shepherd thing to be so vocal and chatty, some more so than others. I used to think my first shepherd was whiny, but then I got my second and realised she wasn't really. My girl does this when  she thinks I'm going into the garden (so that's mostly whenever I move around the house :rolleyes:) and when we're getting ready for a walk (that one is more like a whine, scream bark) and it goes right through you. Lots of other vocalisations in between on a variety of subjects, very talkative.

Not very helpful I'm afraid, just sharing.
Kat

At least it helps to know other ppl have dogs that whine too.  Think it is her way of talking because it is not just for attention.  Have bought some new toys to keep her amused so that will probably keep her quiet for a little while.  At least she is good in other ways so I shouldn't complain too much.  Thanks for the replies.

I've got one too!! Whines and whines first thing in the morning!! about 6am!!!

I think mine got into a routine as a pup when I first had him, and I had to take him out at this time in the morning, (work) so he thinks now that he HAS to go out! Drives me potty!! But if I get up to shut him up, he becomes quiet.....................until............................... yep, you've guessed it. Whine, whine, whine, whine, whine. Personally, I just chuck them all outside, and go back to bed for a couple of hours, THEN take them out. Funnily enough he never whines at any other time of day.

Not much help to you, but you're not on your own.

Got to be a Shepherd   :-D

I have 2 whiners; I just accepted it was their way of expressing and switched off.  :-D

Some whines I encourage, others I switch off.  I think they learnt when it wasn't worth whining as they aren't constant whiners now, just when it's time for walks, food, toilet or getting me out of bed in the morning. As soon as the alarm clock goes off, one of them starts whining, then the other one starts, no chance of getting a lie in then

But they practically howl in excitement to get into the car when going swimming and then whine to each other all the way there.  Not so whiny when they are going to see the vet.  :-D  But I'd think there was something wrong if they didn't whine and it doesn't bother me at all.  I think the best way is to accept it's a Shepherd trait and just ignore it. 

I have a whiner too! Try going to an agility show, Zak whines & whines & whines! I was there all day yesterday & he whinged all the time he was at the side of the ring to get in & participate. Seriously at home it's only when we are getting ready for a walk or when I am stroking the cat, or when he wants some attention. If I start talking to him in a silly voice saying to him 'are you being mardy' he does it all the more. I think it's all part & parcel of owning a shepherd. Must admit though I couldn't be doing with it all of the time, it would drive me mad. Some friends have 2 which whine & bark especially on car journeys. They overtook me once on the way to training & even though their car window was up I could hear them. I really could not & would not put up with that.

One of mine (GSDs) turned 1 on Thursday and over the weekend and today she's been whining!  I'm ignoring her- luckily I can switch off to her, unfortunately OH can't- I've had to sit him down and explain that he HAS to ignore it too otherwise he'll make the problem worse.  Her Mum isn't a whiner at all so fingers crossed it's just while we have the *kevin* stage (knowing Sheps though I won't hold my breath :-)

Stacey x

Hello.
I have a GSD x Weim. She moans all the goddamn time. Shes nearly 7 so I have had it for some years now.
I tried to teach the speak... quiet thing. to no avail. or very little anyway. And she has the 'right thru you' bark. its great. If you are not on the same planet!
#i think you might try the speak when she moans or barks and as soon as she shuts up say quiet and have a tasty piece of ham to hand. It might work for you, if you can get the quiet in the first place. good luck.
I am glad i live alone and have a neighbour thats 94 and deaf as a post!!!
Regards