It is very disconcerting to dog handlers when dogs cry, whether they are adults or puppies. Therefore, in this article on our site we are going to explain why dogs cry, because they are wanting to communicate with us, they are sick, scared or they need us to cover some basic need.
That is why it is important that we find out the reasons for these cries and that we are clear that our dog does not cry to annoy us, but because there is an underlying cause that provokes it. Likewise, we will also explain what to do and other details to take into account.
Does my dog cry for attention?
There are caregivers who think that the dog cries on a whim and based on that belief they decide to ignore it or, worse, punish it. But we must know that sounds such as crying, howling, barking or moaning, are part of our dog's languagewhich, in the absence of words, thus expresses the needs of the.
So we have to pay attention and try to find out why our dog is crying. Next, we will see different situations in which crying can appear and, at the end, we will explain how to make the dog not cry.
Why do puppies cry?
It is Very normal for dogs to cry when you leave, and more so if they are puppies. Until then, these little ones had usually lived with their mother and siblings, that is, always in company.
This explains why the dog cries due to a feeling of loneliness and also fear, in the face of a new and unknown situation. Although the theory had been saying that they had to get used to letting them cry, today this measure is questioned and it is decided to attend them
Why do adult dogs cry?
Generally, the crying of the puppy resolves immediately and it is not usual for this to occur in the adult dog. Although there are some situations, such as the ones we will see below, that can explain why dogs cry:
- Fear: a dog can be frightened by noises, for example. But he can also cry in an anxious situation, such as when he is home alone. A dog in this state can cause damage. Also, the dog cries all day if he has no company. It is advisable to request the opinion of an ethologist or veterinarian specialized in canine behavior.
- Need: in these cases the dog wants to call our attention because he has run out of food or, more frequently, he feels an urgency to go out to relieve himself. Once we find what he demands, the dog will not cry. If we notice that the frequency with which he urinates increases, he could be suffering from a urine infection or a kidney problem that the veterinarian will have to diagnose.
- Pain: A dog that is sick or in pain is likely to cry, especially when touched or touched. It rests on the painful area, such as an ear due to otitis or a leg due to an injury. We can examine him and go to the vet. If our dog suddenly cries a lot lately, the pain hypothesis becomes more plausible.
- Emotion: sometimes when the dog meets some people or dogs or greets us he gets nervous or starts crying. Usually sends back once he has greeted
Why do old dogs cry?
In addition to the causes that we have exposed, a dog that gets older will undergo a series of changes produced by the processes of mental and physical aging that can explain why older dogs cry. These dogs cry at night, sometimes because their sleep patterns are disturbed. They spend more time sleeping during the day and awake more hours at night, so we can hear them at those times.
The problems of arthrosis, with the pain they entail, can also be the cause of moaning and crying, as well as disorientation and discomfort that they will require the intervention of our veterinarian.
How to stop a dog from crying?
We have exposed reasons that explain why dogs cry. Avoiding crying goes through identifying what triggers it. The vet is the one who should rule out physical problems. Apart from diseases we can highlight some measures to prevent a dog from crying:
- If we adopt a puppy, it must be more than 8-10 weeks old, as it is important that it undergoes the socialization periodwith the family her. This will help make your adaptation to our home easier.
- A dog with phobias should be desensitized by a professional, the same as one with separation anxiety. These dogs can benefit from exercise, an environment enriched with educational toys and our presence.
- Let's always make sure that the dog has water available and food if we are going to be away.
- If the dog cries out of nervousness when greeting, we can reduce this behavior by avoiding petting it at that moment.
- See a specialist if the behavior problem does not go away or worsens. The professional figures to address can be a veterinarian specialized in ethology, a canine educator or a trainer specialized in behavior modification.
