German Shepherds - Pet forum for dogs cats and humans

GermanShepLove · #1 November 16th, 2006, 10:03 AM

Hey Guys,
I'm a first time dog owner and i have a pure-bred German Shepherd as a lovely pet. I was just curious... Do they the tendency to whine a lot... (especially for no reason at all)??? because mine sure as hell does!

Angies Man · #2 November 16th, 2006, 11:25 AM

My brother has a GSD, she whines a little sometimes. Whiny dogs can be trained to not whine, btw. A good, sharp "Cut it out!" has always worked for me. Tone of voice should communicate disgust and annoyance.

She does like to talk as part of her greeting when friends come for a visit--I find it endearing.

A GSD can be very headstrong--they are very smart and enjoy working. I'd strongly suggest that you and she go get obedience training--you'll both enjoy it.

MyBirdIsEvil · #3 November 16th, 2006, 02:33 PM

Whether a dog whines a lot tends to be an individual thing, not a breed thing.

Walnut whines a lot, and we don't encourage it, it's just how she is, it's how she communicates. Dogs rarely whine for no reason like you've suggested, they usually are trying to tell you something, even if you're not sure what they want.

Walnut will whine when she wants to go outside and play for example, and we'll say "No outside". She knows what it means but she tries to look all sad and whines some more. After about 30 seconds she usually goes "oof" as if to say "FINE!" and lays down.

It's just part of their personality, some dogs whine a lot just like some children may, while some are pretty quiet. There are plenty of ways to discourage it but some dogs are just more whiney than others and may do it quite a bit anyway.

Walnut also whines when we're all just sitting around watching TV or something and she's bored. To someone else it may just seem like she's sitting there whining for no reason, but if you watch your dog a lot and get to know them you usually learn what they're trying to say.

SarahLynn123 · #4 November 16th, 2006, 02:41 PM

Mine whines all the time, but I usually know exactly what she wants now! When we first brought her home from the humane society she would pace and whine all the time, now its when the cat is in her way and she cant pass him, she is unsure of a situation, she would like to be fed a few hours early. I dont give in though, I just ignore her or a quick stern "enough" (not yellingh tough, she is quite sensitive!) usually does the trick if its getting out of hand.

When she's really excited she makes more of a growly sound.

muckypup · #5 November 16th, 2006, 04:23 PM

Mine are pretty vocal. They don't just whine they make all kinds of noises, grunting... moaning... growling... barking... screaming... etc

100%doglover · #6 November 16th, 2006, 06:30 PM

My shepherd was very 'whiney' when she was at her peak. I would give her 2-3 hours of solid exercise every single day and found myself taking up tracking to provide her with some extra mental stimulation. The end result? Well whatever you gave her, she got used to! Often after a nice 1 1/2 hour off leash brisk walk she'd sleep for 20 minutes and then be ready to do it all over again. It did drive me a bit nuts..... She needed just that much exercise and action all the time. Not all shepherds are as intense though, but exercise & mental stimulation is the key to stopping at least some of the whining.

pitgrrl · #7 November 17th, 2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyBirdIsEvil

Walnut whines a lot, and we don't encourage it, it's just how she is, it's how she communicates. Dogs rarely whine for no reason like you've suggested, they usually are trying to tell you something, even if you're not sure what they want.

One of my dogs whines alot, and although it can be annoying at times, I wouldn't change it if I could.
It is absolutley how he communicates and it makes it much easier to know whats going on with him then with his brother, who is a very quiet dog for the most part.

Certainly it's not something one would want to actively encourage, but I think if you pay attention to what the dog is trying to tell you and assume it is for a reason, it can actually be helpful.

mona_b · #8 November 17th, 2006, 09:41 AM

I grew up with this breed, and have raised 3.And to be honest I really haven't heard them whine.If they did it was only becasue I left.Other then that,nothing.

My current can be quite the talker.I can only imagine what he's saying.LOL

To me the GSD is the most easily trained.BUT this breed must be trained from day one.And must be constent in the training.Do I think they need a job to do?No not really.Two of my three were couch patatoes.They enjoyed their walks.My current was a working dog.But when his job was done at the end of the day,he just lazed around.I did all the training myself.

igauresh · #9 November 18th, 2006, 06:17 AM

We also had a german shepherd when I was young. I agree that they are easy to train and they are very smart. They are really fast learner. Our dog also loves to whine, we also tried to stop him from whinning but he still whines sometimes but not that much.

OntarioGreys · #10 November 21st, 2006, 10:13 AM

I agree it is not a breed thing, Maya used to do a lot of whining for her it was a form of pacifying herself when she was nervous, as she became more relaxed her whining ceased

Stewart · #11 November 25th, 2006, 04:02 AM

My female shepherd whines occasionaly its down to boredom as others have already said plenty of stimulation needed as they are very smart dogs

santos · #12 December 15th, 2006, 12:05 PM

my 2 gsds are very vocal, they whine, yodel, moan and sigh all the time.

Kristin7 · #13 December 16th, 2006, 01:30 PM

My dog whines all the time. He is not a gsd, but some type of mixed breed. I think he is bored when he whines, but haven't figured it all out yet. Maybe sometimes it's stress and/or he wants to go out. He has been like this since a puppy. I think it is probably not a breed thing.

Catzig · #14 December 27th, 2006, 01:21 AM

OMG, mine is 11 months old and she moans like a very old man.

Byrd · #15 December 28th, 2006, 09:42 PM

Maybe it's a shepherd thing because my Australian Shepherd doesn't shut up! It's like she's trying to speak human but just can't get it out. It can be annoying, but also can be cute because we do have conversations and people tend to get a kick out of it.

2bigdogs · #16 May 31st, 2007, 12:34 PM

As a 1st time dog owner and a first GS owner( always had cats), I was so surprised at home much noise my dog make! Our vet told us GS's are like that...hmmm..Bucky not only whines( yup, when we wants something) but he actually 'talks' ! its the funniest thing! He groans, moans, howls and speaks..most of it we just ignore as it can be really annoying but the 'talking' is quite funny. He seems as though he's really trying trying to talk...!! I suppose its way of telling us something.

bendyfoot · #17 May 31st, 2007, 12:38 PM

Yep, I asked about this one too! Jaida makes all kinds of noises (groans, moans, squeals, grumbles, throaty pants, and WHINES!).

SableCollie · #18 May 31st, 2007, 01:16 PM

Yup, very talkative doggies! My family has 2 shepherds and one collie, you can imagine the noise level! They talk to each other, they talk to us, they talk to their toys....whining, screaming, crying, singing, moaning, groaning, barking, humming, and those big shepherd SIGHS...no howling thank goodness!

mona_b · #19 May 31st, 2007, 01:56 PM

I must be one of the lucky ones who has had quiet GSD's.LOL

My brothers partner is a GSD.Quiet as ever.Same with the others on the unit.I also deal with them at work...Pretty quiet also.The only time these dogs start whinning or become talkative is when they are working.

Dracko · #20 May 31st, 2007, 10:44 PM

When I have Dracko in the car with me I can't often make a phone call for work (I'm a sales rep so I travel a lot in my vehicle). Unless the account knows I often travel with my dog and likes dogs I have to wait. Just never know when he'll start "talking." He certainly isn't a barker unless it's a stranger nearby, but he "talks" a lot.

mindis12 · #21 August 4th, 2007, 01:30 PM

Talking shepherdssssssssssss. Yes this is so very normal for the breed.. They just like to have attention. Generally when its time to work.

lilmegshepherds · #22 August 4th, 2007, 09:13 PM

My shepherds do not whine at all.
I have never heard them whine.

They are also trained from day one that we only bark for a reason meaning to alert!

Otherwise quiet is the word.

Yukon does talk sometimes but not alot because when he was a puppy we lived in an apartment and he was taught to be quiet so it has stuck with him even though we own our own house now. LOL

mindis12 · #23 August 5th, 2007, 04:48 PM

Sure some gsds have tendencies to whine for attention, or in pain.. My gsd is social and very vocal when requested to.. She loves to get working but has the gift of gab just like her mom and master... That shows me that my dogs are enjoying their day at the park if you ask me.. although everyone has their own way of doing things... I ask my dog to bellon or bark and bark load they will.. I want them to be quite they are willing to please... but thats the name of the game... everyone trains, breeds and works their dogs differantly..

Its all about doing what you know best and passing it along...