Why Does my Frenchie Whine? How to Interpret

Does your Frenchie serve a little wine with dinner? Or at night? Or all over the house, until you want to cry, too? Too much whining from your French Bulldog can leave you feeling like you don’t know what to do!

French Bulldogs whine as their preferred means of communication (as opposed to barking); but, as with people, the precise meaning of that communication depends on the tone. 

Find out what your French Bulldog is trying to tell you, without tolerating any Frenchie sass! Learn here if you’re dropping out of your pet’s conversation, or if your Frenchie is just giving you a hard time…and what you can do about it.

Often, the annoyance is not your Frenchie’s whining, but other people’s whining about it!  My son was always raised with dogs, but suddenly developed the idea that all whining is naughty-dog behavior!  Why?  Because that’s how they react to it at his girlfriend’s house, with her bulldog and mastiff! So, now I have him whining about our dog’s whining. I do believe people are even harder to train than dogs!  

First, be glad your Frenchie doesn’t use barking as his only means of communication. All that barking could begin to wear a little thin, after a while. No, Frenchies are not just your average little, yappy dog.  In fact, according to Dr. Marcelle Landestoy, DVM, “Frenchies have a loud voice but do not use it without reason, unless they are bored or feel neglected…”

…But then, there’s that little whine…Why do they do it?

Why is the Dog Whining for no Reason?

What is your Frenchie trying to tell you?  

He may release a little whine to remind you that it’s time for a regularly-scheduled activity, such as a walk or dinner. Maybe something’s wrong, like his blanket is still in the wash and he’s having a hard time settling down for a nap without it; or his toy has rolled someplace, where he can’t get to it.

Start by playing a little guessing-game. I ask my dog “What’s wrong? Did you lose your toy? Are you cold?” etc. When I hit the right answer, she stops whining and I can see her eyes brighten up in a very satisfied way. If I still don’t understand, I say, “Want me to come with you?” Then, she’ll turn around, and take me directly to the trouble. 

Sometimes, what they’re trying to tell you will make you laugh. A friend gave me a beautiful, handmade pet sweater. My macho-boy dog, Shannon, hated this thing. He’d stand in the middle of the kitchen floor, submitting to have it put on, but he kept trying to shake it off during our walks. One really cold day, I let him out the back door, and he turned right around, zipped back inside, planted himself in the middle of the kitchen floor, and emitted a little whine. He couldn’t want the Evil Sweater, could he? I slipped it onto him, not knowing what else to do. He went right back to the door and whined to be let out. When he got to be an elderly gentleman of a dog, he would whine to wear his dapper, red sweater in his bed, to ward off the draft. 

Your Frenchie’s Whining Keeps You On-Track

My dog whines to keep me on track. If I’m building a fire in the woodstove, and I stop to look at the TV, I’ll hear that whine behind me, Little Mother is reminding me to stay on task. If you stop to chat with a neighbor while your walking your Frenchie, he’ll may even let you know when it’s time to move on.

Pay Closer Attention When Your Older Frenchie Whines

As your Frenchie ages, please, pay particular attention to any whining that he didn’t do previously. He may be comfier with more frequent potty-stops, or need a warmer place to sleep, or a plusher bed than before. An arthritic Frenchie’s hip can be comforted by 10 minutes with a cloth-wrapped icebag. This may seem not to make sense, if your old guy is already cold, but every doctor knows that ice is the “poor man’s aspirin.” The first time I tried it on Shannon, he was so relieved, his eyes rolled back in his head.

The conversational whine is alwyas charming, but when does whining become a problem, and what can you do about it?  Whining can go from cute to stressful anytime it wakes you up in the night, or becomes persistant and hysterical, or (Heaven forbid) both.

The Night Whiner

This is usually a new Frenchie, trying to settle in. We had this happen the first night with our first dog, Peaches.  My husband didn’t know if having the dog in the bedroom would aggravate his allergies, so we left her downstairs in her kennel for the night. About half an hour later, Peaches decided she was lonely, and let out the most pitiful wailing I’d ever heard. I set up her bed just outside our bedroom door, while my husband carried her up the stairs. We left the door open, and, luckily, this was close enough. She settled right down, and the hallway became known as Peaches’ Room.

I have found it invaluable to walk my dog right before I turn in. An empty Frenchie is a relaxed Frenchie! She knows she’ll get a little treat right after we come in, so there’s no late-night sniffing around.

Some owners, however, will have the dog right there in the bedroom, and will be awakened by whining. Often, the first thought is to bring the dog up on the bed. Though some may disagree, I consider dogs on my bed a bad idea. By instinct, they are pack animals, and bad things can happen when your head and your dog’s are on the same level, while you’re sleeping. 

Solutions for Dogs Who Whine at Night

It may be enough to bring the dog’s bed closer to yours. An old-fashioned mechanical clock (the kind you wind up and it ticks) can be very soothing. They even make special diffusers which release a scent that dogs find relaxing. Some greyhounds, believe it or not, are afraid of the dark, so a nightlight can be helpful. Your dog may have come from a kennel where they leave the radio on overnight, so try leaving one playing softly on the other side of the dog’s bed, where it won’t disturb you.

One very successful solution is to spritz the beast with a spray-bottle…and I do mean “spritz,” as in set the nozzle and squeeze it just lightly enough to distract him.  You know, fine mist, as opposed to firehose.  One owner recalled how this cured her whining Frenchie, “after a night of ‘scattered showers.'”

If you don’t care to do this, and none of the other things are working, you could solve your problem on your end, by not waking up. Earplugs can be a wonderful thing. They are comfortable, and you may find you sleep better than ever. You can still hear well enough throught them to be aware, should an emergency crop up, but they are effective in making sure you’re not awakened by every little noise.

How Do I Stop my Frenchie from Whining?

It’s important to remember that when your Frenchie whines, he is trying to tell you something.  It is not the same as a kid having a tantrum, and should definitely not be responded to as such!  You will be amazed at how fulfilling your relationship with your Frenchie becomes, when you learn to interpret his different types of whines.  Being understanding is especially important if your Frenchie is just a puppy.  Baby dogs are still babies, and babies cry – A lot! – But that’s the beginning of their relationship with you, and you’re all learning how to communicate together as a family, right?

The Lonely Soul: separation anxiety in Frenchies

Another problem can arise if your Frenchie is whining regularly and loudly, while home alone, if you live within earshot of your neighbors. This is separation anxiety; and prevention is the best cure. Frenchies are sensitive, social dogs, who are always happier when surrounded by company. For some, being alone is a not an experience they enjoy. You want to spend your first days with him, leaving him alone for increasing intervals of time.

A doggie-cam may be helpful in working this out. He probably doesn’t whine the entire time you’re gone, so try breaking up his alone-time a bit. Leave one or more Kong toys with a little peanut butter pushed deep inside of each to keep him busy for a while. Leave a ticking clock near his crate. Put a TV and a radio in different parts of the room on timers, so they come on a different times. The change in sound might distract your Frenchie enough, so that he learns to be content and happy, until you return.  Believe it or not, Frenchies are capable of great patience.

The Misunderstood: keep this Frenchie close to you

If you have a chatty Frenchie, watch him carefully with other dogs. Some will take his whining as a sign of weakness, and can lash out suddenly. 

The Neurotic Drama Queen: gently discipline

One owner related the story of her dog, who would whine every time they came home from a vet visit. The dog would usually lodge his complaint, she wouldn’t pay him any mind, and he would settle down in his bed after a little while. Then, the “little while” became longer. Finally, after one check-up, he carried on for two full days. She finally turned to him, and said in a sharp tone, “CASEY. JUST. STOP!” That put an end to it. Dogs are pretty sensitive, so you don’t want to chew them out too often; but it can be an effective last resort.    Remember to keep you tone controlled – According to scientists at the University of Porto (Porto, Portugal), actual yelling to cause lasting trauma in dogs.

Another woman, in a similar situation, had a dog who didn’t tend to listen to her. Her husband stepped in to do the dirty work. One stern word from him, and their drama queen retired her crown!

The Beggar: bad manners

Dining can be unpleasant, when a furry, whining barracuda is doing laps around the table. This is bad manners, and shouldn’t be tolerated. Treat same as above (The Neurotic Drama Queen).

Try Joining the Conversation

Keep in mind, French Bulldogs can be regular little chatterboxes. If you think your buddy may just be trying to be sociable, whine back at him. This can be a really fun, playful way to spend time with your Frenchie.

When to Call the Vet

As communicative as your pal is, he can be stoic, too.  World-class Frenchie vet  Dr. R.J. Kraemer gives the following list of Bulldog conditions that can be easy to overlook:

• “Ear Infections
• Tail Pocket Skin Fold Infections
• Oral and Dental Disease
• Chronic Arthritis
• Urinary Tract Infections
• Anal Gland Impaction”

Take the time to listen closely to your Frenchie, and you will develop a valuable sense of knowing when something is wrong, and when he’s just trying to chat you up.  In addition to just being fun, it can also save his life someday; because it can help you catch health problems, before they become more severe.

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