Do you allow whining?

[law1558]

My 11 mo old and I are in a group training class (7-8 dogs) offered at the rescue where we got him. Beau is easily (read ALWAYS) distracted and almost vibrates with excitement (nreves?) from the moment we arrive until the moment we leave.

The trainer expects that each of handlers have control over their dogs, which means no excited/high pitched barking (and obviously no agression, etc) even when another dog is within a few feet of them.

My question is...at what point do I intervene when Beau starts whining? Knowing that GSDs can be a vocal breed, do I allow him any verbalization or should I be immediately correcting once I hear a noise?

Since this is only the second class we've had with this trainer, the opportunity to ask the trainer what I should be doing hasn't presented itself. One of the things he did say today was that even though my dog has good obedience, it's on HIS terms, not mine...in other words, when Beau wants to be good, he will be. But he'll challenge authority at every command.

(As I'm writing this, I think I've answered my own question but I'd still like to hear what you think...)

[GSDElsa]

I have seen whining manifest itself into serious control issues. I do NOT allow it.

[iBaman]

Nope, he's not allowed. Most of the time, he's not allowed to bark (he rarely does anyways, only when he has to potty. But when he gets riled up, he can get pretty talkative. In a home, that's fine, but apartments...I want to be considerate...). Whining to me is just annoying, and he only does it when he's not getting his way. =P

[law1558]

So, since distraction is another issue we're working thru (see another thread), how "vigorous" should my correction be?

[iBaman]

I guess it depends on the dog. At first, I had to use 'firm touch' (never hard, not a hit..just a touch to get his attention) and I'd say 'AAT!'. Now, usually I just have to say 'aat'.

[Ponypip123]

When I saw the title of your post.... I thought... My dog might whine once in a while, but my kids are never allowed to!

[Rerun]

No, I do not allow whining during training or really, in general. It drives me nuts.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by law1558

So, since distraction is another issue we're working thru (see another thread), how "vigorous" should my correction be?

Enough that the dog stops whining.

[TriadGSD]

he only whines when he needs to go out.

[Freestep]

I strongly discourage whining, both from my own dogs and from the dogs at my grooming shop. Depending on the dog and the situation, it can communicate that he is anxious, frustrated, frightened, excited, or wants something. If the dog is anxious or frightened, it requires a different approach than excitement or frustration. But either way, it's something that drives ME crazy, so I do whatever I can to diminish the behavior by whatever means is effective. Sometimes it's covering up a crate, sometimes it's putting on a Thundershirt, sometimes it's simply a firm "NO!"

Thankfully, my own dogs rarely whine. Vinca skips whining and goes directly to barking her head off to express how she's feeling.