Why does a dog squeak?
For dogs, squeaking is a different form of communication than barking. Have you noticed your dog squeaking? Then he wants to explain something to you. Often times a dog will not squeak because it is having a bad day or not getting its way, but because something is really wrong. In general, a dog that squeaks can have three basic causes: it’s in pain, it’s feeling lonely, or it’s stressed. A dog is not quick to show that it is in pain or uncomfortable. Especially if the beeping doesn’t stop, this is a sign for you to pay special attention to your four-legged friend.
My dog is squeaking: time to listen
Dogs who squeak or whimper in pain often coincide with a change in behavior. Is your four-legged friend suddenly very quiet when he is normally active and wandering around the house or neighborhood wagging his tail? Then take your four-legged friend to the vet to be on the safe side and to rule out any risks. With our dog insurance you give your four-legged friend the best care without having to worry about the costs. If you can rule out the health risks, the beeping may have another, well-explained reason.
Stress, anxiety, excitement or exuberant happiness
A dog experiencing stress, being lonely, scared or just plain excited often makes this very clear.
When your loved one doesn’t know what to do with new experiences or exciting situations, squeaking or whimpering is one way to let them know they’re not comfortable. If possible, hold your little four-legged friend tightly or stroke his head soothingly. Of course, it’s better to first find the cause of the anxiety or stress and work on it to stop the wheezing. By the way, a dog also squeaks when it is very happy or very enthusiastic.
Learned behavior is difficult to break
Dogs are creatures of habit. And that starts at a young age. Did you get your four-legged friend to squeak with something sweet when he was a puppy? Your clever little four-legged friend may not have forgotten this and is only squeaking to get you to give him a treat. We understand that it is very difficult not to give a treat to a squeaking puppy, but remember that this behavior encourages the puppy to squeak.
Tips for a squeaking dog
As you have read, a whine does not mean that you need to take your four-legged friend to the vet immediately. Notice if the squeaking continues, what times your dog squeaks, and how often the animal expresses its displeasure by squeaking or whimpering. This will often give you a clearer picture of the situation and you can work with your dog to understand each other better. For more helpful tips and tricks for training your dog, visit our new dog owner guide page.
Would you like to get to know dog language even better? Then, for a change, we have a number of ways for you to get your four-legged friend to stop squeaking and howling:
- Ignore whimpering or begging when your four-legged friend wants your attention, teach a dog to accept no
- Be consistent and don’t reward your dog when he begs for treats
- Keep a close eye on your dog so you can better distinguish his squeaking or howling behavior from his normal behavior
- If you’re still concerned, have a vet take a look at your dog