hello and help!

[sadies_momma]

Hi, my name is Sandi and Sadie is my rat terrier. Sadie has had a rough beginning to life. She was rescued from a puppy mill by the local shelter. She was one of 19 puppies from 4 mommies. Her birth mommy dried up due to the conditions and Sadie was given to another mommy to nurse. that mommy had the same problem. To make the story short, Sadie seems to have adjusted so well but the last two days, she has whined more and more. She sucks on her little bed and pushes at it as if she is nursing. I have tried to reassure her, hold her and pet her but she continues to whine periodically. Any ideas on how I can help her?

[Swiftwind]

Hi Sandi, welcome to Global Paw!
How old is Sadie? If she's still at the stage where she really should be having her mother's milk I'd suggest that you bottle feed her. I know it must be hard, but try not to give her too much attention when she's whining.. she might realise that whenever she does that you will always be there for her, giving her lots of attention. I'd suggest to distract her with toys which are mentally stimulating. Get her mind onto something else.

[sadies_momma]

Sadie is almost 10 months old. I give her attention but I don't think she gets too much attention. I usually pet her and then tell her that she is ok and the she tends to stop. As for toys, she has many and she plays with them often. I also have her play fetch with all of us when she wants to play. Currently she is curled up behind my shoulder hanging over the edge of tmy shoulder *L*

[Swiftwind]

Ahh ok. Hmm.. that is strange behaviour, then. Sorry I couldn't be of much help. Hopefully one of the other members can give you a bit of advice. Your dog sounds like a real sweetie!

[Spiritus]

She definately doesn't need to bottle fed then, LOL.

When she whines, bothers her blanket and whines, ignore her. Don't tell her it's okay, don't pet her, ignore her. Often times when we think we're "soothing" a dog, we are actually telling them their behavior is okay.

Is she spayed yet? If not, has she had her first season?

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

Welcome!

Does little Sadie whine at certain periods of the day, like when she's hungry, or is it sporadic and unpredictable? I would try and figure out if there's a pattern, and the cause.

We have a cat that likes to try and nurse on fingers and ears. He's about 3 years old now and still does it when he's feeling affectionate (or feeling whatever makes him crawl into your lap and rub on you and what not. ). I'm not sure if he wasn't weaned when we got him or what, but it's the same type of thing.

[Cassiepeia]

I agree with spritus. Don't try to reassure her. Dogs don't understand that. Every time you pat her and reassure her, you're actually saying...."yes, every time you cry and complain I'll come running and do exactly what you want". So she'll continue to do what works and continue to cry and complain when ever she wants to demand some attention.

Ingoring them is hard, but you have to do it or you'll never get anywhere. Just make sure all her basic needs are taken care of (has she been out to pee, has she eaten, does she have fresh water etc...) and then leave her to her whining.

Cass.

[sadies_momma]

See that is the deal with Sadie. First we ignored and that didn't help. Then we started to briefly console her, and that didn't help. As for spaying, they told us to wait till she hit the 10th month, which is February. She hasn't had her first season at this point or at least to my knowledge. I am new to this puppy thing. My last dog was a basenji who died at almost 17. Sadie is the gift to healing my heart. Both dogs are very similar despite their difference in breeds.

[Swiftwind]

Originally Posted by Cassiepeia

I agree with spritus. Don't try to reassure her. Dogs don't understand that. Every time you pat her and reassure her, you're actually saying...."yes, every time you cry and complain I'll come running and do exactly what you want". So she'll continue to do what works and continue to cry and complain when ever she wants to demand some attention.

Ingoring them is hard, but you have to do it or you'll never get anywhere. Just make sure all her basic needs are taken care of (has she been out to pee, has she eaten, does she have fresh water etc...) and then leave her to her whining.

Cass.

That's what I was trying to suggest! It's hard typing when I'm at work, I have to make sure people don't see I'm on GP instead of doing work-related stuff! Shhh... I was never here!

[Rivsky]

What happens if when she starts whining you leave the room altogether - does she stop whining and get up and follow you out?

[calgal]

Distractions have always worked for me with all the unwanted behaviors that some of my fosters had. I'd just make an unsual noise like dropping a few noisy toys, or go hide and whisper loud enough for them to hear and come search, get a flash light and shine it in areas they can see, take off for a leisurly "check-everything-out walk"and stop to talk with friends or on down to the coffee shop where the locals hang out.
A dogs unwanted habit isn't much different than a smoker trying to quit. They tell you that when you want a cigarette, go for a walk instead. Keep the distractions up and the habit will go away and you will have a happy fur-kid too.

[DogLover8]

Welcome to Global Paw.

[sadies_momma]

to answer some of the post... if Sadie is whining, and I call her. She is up and going with the race over to me. It doesn't matter if we leave the room, she will still whine. Today was a better day. She is currently mad at me *L* tonight was trim the nails night..