Why is My Dog Crying in Chicago, IL?

 

There are a variety of reasons why dogs will sometimes whimper, whine, or cry in Chicago. Although this behavior can sometimes indicate that something is wrong with your pet, this is actually not always the case.

Although it is true that many dogs will whine when they are in pain or are feeling sick, many dogs will also whine when they are excited or just want something. Some dogs will whine when they are feeling anxious or fearful as well.

 In this article we will be explaining all of the reasons why dogs whimper, whine, and cry. In addition to this, we will also be explaining what dog owners should do about their dog’s crying and when you should take them to the vet for this behavior. Alright, let’s get into it.

 

6 Reasons Why Dogs Cry

There are six main reasons why dogs cry. Many dog owner’s first instinct is to worry if their pet is sick or in pain whenever they cry. Although this can sometimes be the cause of crying in dogs, there are many other causes for this behavior as well.

For example, many dogs will cry when they want or need something, and dogs will also cry when they are feeling anxious, scared, stressed, or even just confused. Some dogs will even cry because they are feeling very excited and happy. Here are the six common reasons why dogs cry.

1. Your Dog Is Excited About Something

Just like some dogs start to bark when they get very excited, some dogs will cry and whine when they are feeling very excited and happy. If your pet starts to cry when all other signs indicate that they are very happy, then this is likely the cause.

This is a natural behavior in excited dogs, and there is usually nothing that a dog owner would need to worry about if their dog reacts in this way while they are excited. This can be more common in certain dog breeds than others. For example, Siberian Huskies are well known for their excited “crying”.

2. Your Dog Wants Or Needs Something

Some dogs will also cry as a way to communicate with their owners that they need or want something. A common example of this is a dog crying at the door to be let outside to use the bathroom.

As a result, if your dog’s whining seems strange you should check to see if they need or want something. Dogs will commonly whine for things like food, water, toys, and to go outside.

3. Your Pet Is Not Feeling Well

Unfortunately, dogs will also commonly whine when they are in pain or are feeling sick. Although this whining is usually paired with other signs of pain or symptoms of illness, it can be a good idea if your dog is crying a lot for no known reason. After all, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the health of our pets.

4. Your Pet Is Anxious Or Scared

Anxiety, nervousness, and fear will also commonly cause a dog to whine. This is a natural response to a dog feeling these kinds of emotions. Although this is a natural response to fear and anxiety, it is recommended that you take your pet to the vet if their anxiety seems to be chronic and severely affecting their life.

5. Your Pet Is Stressed Or Confused

Feeling stressed and confused can cause crying in dogs as well. Although this is usually much less severe of a cause than anxiety or fear, it can also be a good idea to take your dog to the vet if they seem to be stressed out all of the time. Usually dogs whine in these situations because they are trying to communicate to their owners that they are feeling stressed or that they are confused about something.

6. Your Dog Has Learned That Crying Will Get Your Attention

In some cases, dogs will whine excessively in order to get attention and affection from their owners. This type of behavior is learned in dogs, so it will develop over time when they have figured out that their owner will pay attention to them every time that they cry.

 

How To Stop Excessive Whining In Dogs

At this point dog owners are likely thinking: “Alright, you have told us the reason why dogs whine. But how do we stop it?” Well, there are different ways to stop excessive crying in dogs depending on what is causing it. There are three main causes of excessive whining that can become unbearable for dog owners. These causes are pain and illness, attention crying, and chronic stress or anxiety. Here we will be explaining how to remedy the different types of excessive crying in dogs.

 

Attention Crying

This is excessive crying as a way to get their owner’s attention or affection. This is a behavior that is learned over time in dogs, and it is the result of an owner giving their dog attention and affection every time that they cry for it.

The best way to stop this type of excessive crying is to start ignoring it altogether, and only giving your dog attention when they are quiet. Although this process can take a while, the dog will learn over time that crying no longer gets them attention. It is important that you ignore their attention whining one hundred percent of the time in order for this to be effective.

It can also be a good idea to take your dog to the vet in order to rule out other causes for whining before you begin this kind of training. This will not only give you peace of mind, but it will also prevent your dog from having any potential untreated health problems.

 

Crying As A Result Of Chronic Stress Or Anxiety

Chronic stress and anxiety can affect many dogs, and sometimes the root of these problems have seemingly no known cause. Taking your pet to the vet can help to rule out any health issues from being the cause of your dog’s whining, and they may also be able to give you treatment options for anxiety.

Of course, it is also a good idea to remove things that could be causing your dog a lot of stress from their environment. You may be surprised how some small alterations in a dog’s environment can improve their stress or anxiety levels.

Crying As A Result Of Pain Or Illness

Unfortunately, the only way to stop excessive crying as a result of pain or illness is to get your dog treated by a vet. Once their pain or other symptoms have improved or gone away, then their excessive crying should stop as well. Contact our vet today (773) 698-7525 or Request an Appointment.