A Pet Sitter's Guide to Dealing with a Whining Dog

Pet sitters who establish a relationship with clients and their dogs often end up working well together. Over time, this can lead to a mutually beneficial, trusting relationship. But if you are caring for a dog that has a tendency to whine, this can be a challenge. As a pet sitter, it is your responsibility to try and identify the causes for the dog's whining, and to try and fix the problem.

When was the Dog's Last Toilet Break?

If dogs could talk and tell us exactly what was bothering them, then our lives as dog owners or pet sitters would be much easier. Unfortunately, dogs do not have that ability, which means you will need to try to work out what is troubling the dog, as there is always a reason why dogs whine. If you are scheduled to stop by to see the dog twice a day, and the dog is whining upon arrival, pacing the floor or running to the back door the moment he sees you, the dog likely needs a toilet break.

Let the dog out back or take him for a walk so that he can relieve himself. If the dog regularly acts this way when you arrive, you may need to adjust your schedule and arrive three times a day, instead of two, so that the dog has plenty of opportunities for toilet breaks during his owner's absence.

Check to See If the Dog is in Any Pain

Unlike cats, that generally run and hide when they are in pain, dogs usually want the world to know how they are feeling. Check to see if you can find any visible evidence of pain, such as bleeding toe pads, a noticeable limp, sores on the dog's body, swollen gums or any other external evidence that would explain why the dog is whining. If the dog is in obvious pain, you will need to let the owners know and make arrangements for the dog to see the veterinarian for his injuries and pain.

The Dog May Be Missing His Owners

Whining does not always mean that there is anything physically wrong with the dog. Some dogs whine because they are missing their owners and would appreciate some quality time with you while you are caring for them. If you generally whip through the house like a tornado and quickly leave again after taking care of the dog's physical needs, the dog is likely to miss human company and interaction.

Rather, slow down and make it a point to spend some quality time with the dog. Stroke the dog, speak reassuringly to him, and give him a treat, which will give the dog the time and attention he has been craving. If time is an issue, discuss this with the owners and try to arrange to spend longer with the dog in future.

A whining dog can be a challenge to cope with, especially if you are not aware of the cause. If this is a regular occurrence each time you stop by, you will need to do some investigative work to try to work out the root cause of the whining. Whining is often the dog's way of letting you know he needs a toilet break, so be in tune to his physical needs. A whining dog is also evidence of pain, which is why you need to be on the lookout for any signs of injury or pain and take action to solve the problem. If you cannot work out any physical causes for the whining, the dog is likely lonely and missing his owners, so be sure to give him your time and attention when you are with him.