Dogs communicate in various ways, and while they can’t talk like humans, they use body language, tail wags, and vocalizations to express themselves. One common vocalization that dog owners often hear is crying or whining. While sometimes endearing, persistent or excessive dog crying can be concerning and even frustrating.
To effectively address your dog’s crying, it’s crucial to understand the underlying reasons. Let’s explore the common causes behind why your dog might be crying.
1. Needs and Wants: Is Your Dog Crying for Something Specific?
One of the most straightforward reasons for dog crying is that they need or want something. This could be as simple as needing fresh water, wanting food, or needing to go outside for a potty break. Perhaps their favorite chew toy has rolled under the furniture, or they want access to a specific area. Once you identify and meet these needs, the crying should usually stop.
However, it’s important to differentiate between genuine needs and manipulative demands. If your dog cries for more food immediately after eating, it’s crucial not to give in. Avoid feeding your dog from the table, and ensure everyone in the household is consistent with feeding schedules. Giving in to demand-crying for food can reinforce the behavior, making it worse over time.
Similarly, if your dog cries to go outside immediately after a walk, it could indicate a bladder or digestive issue. If frequent potty breaks become necessary right after returning indoors, a veterinary check-up is advisable to rule out any underlying health concerns.
2. Attention-Seeking Cries: When Your Dog Cries for Your Attention
Dogs are social creatures who thrive on interaction and companionship. Sometimes, dogs cry simply because they feel ignored or bored. This attention-seeking crying is similar to a child whining when they feel left out of adult conversations. Your dog may be seeking play, petting, or simply your presence and engagement.
Ensuring your dog receives adequate daily exercise and mental stimulation is key to preventing boredom-related crying and other undesirable behaviors. Boredom can manifest not only as crying but also as destructive habits such as chewing furniture or excessive digging. Engaging your dog in interactive play, providing puzzle toys, and going for walks can help fulfill their needs for physical and mental activity.
Pug laying down indoors looking sad.
3. Fear and Anxiety: Dog Crying as a Sign of Stress
Crying can be a significant indicator of fear, stress, or anxiety in dogs. If your dog’s crying is accompanied by other signs like pacing, trembling, panting, tucked tail, or lip licking, it’s highly likely they are experiencing fear or anxiety. New environments, loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks, unfamiliar people or animals, or even changes in the household routine can trigger anxiety-related crying.
Separation anxiety is a common cause of crying in dogs, particularly when it occurs right before you leave the house or shortly after you’ve departed. Dogs with separation anxiety may also exhibit destructive behaviors like excessive barking, chewing, or house soiling when left alone. Counterconditioning and desensitization techniques, often guided by a professional dog trainer or behaviorist, can be effective in managing separation anxiety. Additionally, calming aids such as calming treats or pheromone diffusers may provide supplementary support in reducing anxiety levels.
4. Pain and Discomfort: Could Your Dog’s Crying Be a Sign of Pain?
It’s crucial to consider pain as a potential cause of dog crying, especially if the crying is new, sudden, or persistent and doesn’t seem to be related to needs, attention, or anxiety triggers. If your dog cries when attempting to move in certain ways, such as going up or down stairs, jumping, or being touched in specific areas, it could indicate physical discomfort. Conditions like arthritis, injuries, dental pain, or internal illnesses can all manifest as crying.
If you cannot identify an obvious behavioral or environmental reason for your dog’s crying, a veterinary examination is essential. A vet can perform a thorough check-up to rule out any underlying medical conditions causing pain or discomfort. Early detection and treatment of medical issues are vital for your dog’s well-being and can resolve pain-related crying.
5. Submissive Crying: “Sorry, Human!” – Understanding Apology Cries
In some instances, crying can be a submissive behavior, a way for your dog to communicate “You’re the boss” or to apologize. If your dog cries after being scolded for misbehavior, such as chewing on your shoes or getting into the trash, it’s likely a sign of submission and remorse.
This submissive behavior is rooted in canine social hierarchy and wolf ancestry. In wolf packs, subordinate members display submissive postures and vocalizations to appease dominant individuals after breaking pack rules. When dogs cry submissively, often accompanied by lowered body posture, tail tucking, and avoiding eye contact, they are signaling their understanding of your displeasure and seeking reconciliation.
If your dog is crying submissively as an apology, the best response is to calmly acknowledge their apology and move on. Avoid prolonged scolding or punishment, as this can increase anxiety and submissive behaviors. Simply acknowledging their apology with a calm demeanor signals acceptance and reassurance, reinforcing a positive relationship.
Understanding why your dog is crying is the first step in addressing the behavior effectively. By observing the context, accompanying body language, and triggers for the crying, you can begin to decipher your dog’s communication and take appropriate steps to meet their needs, alleviate their anxieties, or address any underlying medical concerns. If you are ever unsure about the reasons behind your dog’s crying, consulting with your veterinarian or a certified professional dog trainer or behaviorist can provide valuable guidance and support.
