Doberman whining....

Primo · 08-04-2008, 10:20 AM

It's been a while since I've been around a puppy on a extended basis. We just got Goose on Saturday and he's a few days over 8 weeks. He's my first doberman. (My family has only ever owned Pit Bulls/Amstaffs, currently two with a 8 mo old Boston Terrier)

Goose is my first dog on my own and he's a whining machine. In my research I've read that Dobermans tend to be more "whiny" than other breeds. Is there truth to this? I know it comes with the territory and he's still very much so a baby but I swear he whines about everything. The whining to go outside is welcomed and I'm shuttling him outside after he drinks water, eats or gets up from a nap, as well as each morning after he's out of the crate and once before bed. I feed him in the morning usually around 6:30/7 and typically mid day and once in the evening (3 cups total ball park)

Is the whining a "I'm bored" response or is he just walking around whining for the sake of whining? We have two cats and won't add another dog until Goose is around 1 to a year and a half, possibly as late as 2. I'm thinking about picking him up a Canine Genius toy to keep him preoccupied. We do have extended play sessions so that shouldn't be the issue. Is there anything any of you do to silence the whining? I expected it to a certain extent but some times he borders on the ridiculous.

**voodoolizard** · 08-04-2008, 10:29 AM

oh i do feel for you.

sorry but its a dobe thing, some bad some really bad some not at all.

i have one whiner and one barker , you will probably find he turns out to be not much of a barker.

it drives us insain !! totally insain !!

it does not slow down or stop.

god im sorry i must be making you feel really bad !!

i find with zeus its a couple of things.

1st tired, he whines whines but wont give in for a nap. if i send him to his basket and make him stay a few whines later he is snoring and happy when he wakes,

2nd he can have as much walking as i can give and its no good, he will stop whining after training and ball play, i think you have to wear there brains out as well as the body!

some one on here taught there dog to talk.. whine on command so they they could teach the quiet command to shut them up.

but i had no luck with that.

the only thing i can offer to keep you sain is some earplugs or put the puppy for a time out so they will hoefuly sleep and you can both get some peace.

good luck

Primo · 08-04-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoolizard

oh i do feel for you.

sorry but its a dobe thing, some bad some really bad some not at all.

i have one whiner and one barker , you will probably find he turns out to be not much of a barker.

it drives us insain !! totally insain !!

it does not slow down or stop.

god im sorry i must be making you feel really bad !!

i find with zeus its a couple of things.

1st tired, he whines whines but wont give in for a nap. if i send him to his basket and make him stay a few whines later he is snoring and happy when he wakes,

2nd he can have as much walking as i can give and its no good, he will stop whining after training and ball play, i think you have to wear there brains out as well as the body!

some one on here taught there dog to talk.. whine on command so they they could teach the quiet command to shut them up.

but i had no luck with that.

the only thing i can offer to keep you sain is some earplugs or put the puppy for a time out so they will hoefuly sleep and you can both get some peace.

good luck

haha no worries. I anticipated these type of responses. Goose definitely whines in an attempt to fight sleep. He also seems to whine if he's a bit bored but what boggles my mind is this is usually after a pretty spirited play session. I've tried to redirect it by offering one of his toys and that usually works for a little while and then he goes back to whining. I think I'm going to pick up a Canine Genius toy which is food driven and set up like a Puzzle so the dog has to work for the treats/food. Currently he's asleep and it may be the first time he hasn't whined since 8am this morning. He is driving me insane but as I said previously I did expect the whining just not quite this much.

I also try and ignore him while he's doing it until he stops. When he stops I present him with a toy or if he's whining in his crate besides after he first wakes up I try and ignore him until he stops and then I let him out. It will definitely be easier to redirect once he gets a bit older. I can't really take him anywhere until after his second round of shots.........

**errica** · 08-04-2008, 10:41 AM

Yeah, they are whiners. Voodoo is right, I have one barker and one whiner. Bascially Dobes are vocal dogs. I know with mine the whining is worse when he isn't getting his way, if he wants out of his crate, wants a toy, a treat, etc. I try to exercise him physically, then do a short training session - you can teach your's to sit at this age - and then a toy, usually a kong or a bully stick, something that will occupy him for a while so I don't go crazy!

**bec&dan** · 08-04-2008, 10:47 AM

We didnt realises dobes whined so much until we got one! Ellie whines when she doesnt get her way or if she thinks were not paying her enough attention. In fact shes whining now by my feet because im typing on here instead of playing with her!

rltriplett · 08-04-2008, 10:49 AM

We got Isabell at about 8 weeks aswell. Now shes 18 weeks old and three times the size she was.
I think she just missed her mom and litter mates because she was also a whining machine, I read on here that dobermans are whinny, velcro dogs. I thought well we definitely have a whiner but the velcro not so much. After having her now for 10 weeks her whining has slowed WAY down and her velcro has become way sticky...... lol... She cant even play with her toys with out leaning on you or laying on you and that some times will get you bit. Anyway Give it some time. He'll have you trained before you know it...

Zoeberry · 08-04-2008, 10:59 AM

Guess I've been lucky...3 dobes and no whiners. I work at an animal hospital and I find german shepherds to be the biggest whiners of all. They have a very distinctive shep whine too LOL Could be they only do this at the vets.

So you've only had Goose for two days now? Could be he is just missing his mom and siblings. It's a bit overwhelming for them at first.

newtodobes · 08-04-2008, 11:16 AM

I think he just misses his littermates right now. It'll get better, the first week is the toughest...he's in a brand new place, no sisters or brothers. It should definitely get better after a week, he'll probably still whine but not nearly as much as he is now.

JavasMom · 08-04-2008, 11:17 AM

You pup is probably missing his littermates - many breeders won't let pups go home before 10 weeks.

If he wasn't sent home with his own 'receiving blanket', you may want to pick up a pack of fleece blankets at Wal-Mart. This will give your pup something to snuggle into. A stuffed toy bear will help as well. It also helps to start rewarding pup for going into his crate - he will learn that this is his special spot and a daily routine will develop. Leave the tv or radio on as background noise when you can't be in the house - that will help as well.

He might need a bit more food - both of my Dobe pups were fed at least 4 cups of food total throughout the day, supplemented with plain yogurt and the occasional cooked egg. Pups will sleep better (like babies) on a full stomach.

newtodobes · 08-04-2008, 11:21 AM

...and where are pictures??