Why Do Bichons Frises Whine and Cry?

Bichons Frises are very popular little dogs. They’re adorable, sweet, and have a very friendly personality. But that’s not to say that they’re without flaws.

The small fluffy breed is also known for its sensitive nature, which can prove difficult for some owners to handle.

Do Bichons Frises Whine and Cry a Lot?

Many Bichon Frise owners have reported that their pets whine and cry a lot, and many of them have stated that the breed whines and cries much more than other breeds. This is likely linked to the breed’s inherent sensitivity and is a way for the dogs to communicate with their owners about a range of things.

Bichon Frise’s tendency to cry may also be linked to its origins. Bred to be companion dogs, the Bichon Frise has always been around people. They have had an international appeal for a long time on the basis of making great companions. One characteristic trait of many companion breeds is that they tend to be incredibly vocal. It is this tendency to be vocal that contributes to the breed’s seemingly excessive whining or crying.

5 Reasons Bichons Frises Whine and Cry

There are a number of reasons that your Bichon Frise might try to communicate with you by crying or whining. Some of them are more urgent than others, and many can be trained away with enough patience and work, but some are very important. It is always worth checking on your Bichon Frise if you hear them whining.

1. Stress

Many people don’t consider that dogs feel emotions and struggle with their mental health in the same way that humans do. Dogs are just as prone to stress, depression, and other similar conditions as we are, and sometimes a Bichon Frise’s whining or crying is them trying to express this to you. Remember, dogs have much fewer methods of communication available to them!

To determine if your dog is stressed, you should first keep an eye on their body language. If they are barking or growling as well as whining, or you notice that they are licking their lips, pacing, or yawning, they are likely stressed. Other signs of stress in dogs include raised hackles (the hairs along a dog’s spine), whale eyes (this is when you can see the whites of your dog’s eyes), or freezing up completely.

It is important to be able to tell if your dog is stressed, as a stressed dog is more likely to act out and bite, which can result in them then being branded dangerous.

2. Excitement

Just as dogs experience negative emotions, they can experience positive ones too. The most obvious case of this being excitement. Bichons Frises might get excited for a range of reasons, and it might happen on a regular basis. As companion dogs, the Bichon Frise is always eager to please, and so will likely get excited by quite a lot.

To tell if your Bichon Frise is excited, keep an eye out for a wagging tail, and what is commonly known as “zoomies”, wherein the dog will just get a sudden release of energy and go wild around the room.

It is also likely excitement that is causing your dog to whine or cry if it happens routinely at certain times. If your Bichon Frise always whines when you get home, or when you wake up, it is probably just because they’re excited to see you!

3. Attention-Seeking

Bichons are very sensitive dogs, and they do demand a fair amount of attention at all times. If you are failing to supply them with that, it is very possible that your Bichon Frise is just whining to get your attention.

This is even more likely in new dogs or in puppies who have not had this behavior trained out of them. The breed is known for building strong attachments, so if they do not think that you’re giving them enough love – they’ll be sure to let you know.

4. Separation Anxiety

One of the downsides of the Bichon Frise breed is that they are particularly susceptible to developing separation anxiety. This is particularly important to consider for those who have been working at home and are slowly returning to the office!

Bichons Frises are not built to handle lots of time alone, and they can suffer from really bad separation anxiety and even depression if subjected to much alone time. Their whining might be a way to communicate this feeling with you.

If you notice that your Bichon Frise is jumping and whining for you, is destructive when you’re not around, and overly excited when you return, it is possible that your pet is suffering from separation anxiety.

5. Boredom

Bichons Frises love mental stimulation. They need lots of challenges and entertainment and will be sure to let you know if they think you’re lacking. This might mean that you need to play with them, walk them, or possibly train them. All of these are stimulating and will help to reduce any boredom that your dog might feel.

Key signs of boredom are short, high-pitched whining, sighs, and a disinterest in their usual favorite toys and games. You might also spot them digging, chewing, or being disruptive.

6. Pain

Just like humans, when dogs are in pain, they cry. If your Bichon Frise has suddenly started to whine or cry, it is worth checking them out for splinters and other simple injuries. Often, dogs can get thorns or wood caught in their paws or coats, or they might have a cut on their paw pad from some glass or rough pavement.

If the whining continues, take your pet to the vets for a general check-up, especially if the crying occurs when moving or if your Bichon Frise is a senior dog.

4 Ways to Make Your Bichon Frise Whine and Cry Less

Depending on why your Bichon Frise is whining, there are a few ways to make them cry and whine less.

1. Calm Them Down

If you think your Bichon Frise is stressed, and that is why they are whining, then you should make an effort to calm them down. Whilst doing this, it is important to remember that it may be unwise to approach or touch them when they are stressed, as they might snap.

To calm down a dog, try reducing the amount of stimulus around them (noise, lights, people). You can do this by changing the environment or turning things like the radio and television off. You should make sure that you speak softly and calmly, and try to figure out what it is that triggers the stress for them so that you can avoid it in the future.

Likewise, if your Bichon’s whining is due to excitement, you can calm them down to reduce the crying too. Consider taking your dog on a walk whenever they’re excited to wear them out and burn off that extra energy or play with them a lot as soon as you see the signs.

You can also try dog-friendly aromatherapy, dim lights, and making sure that you yourself are calm to try to ensure that your Bichon Frise stays relatively chilled out.

2. See Why They Want Attention

If your Bichon Frise is whining for attention, it might be a behavior you need to discourage. However, if your dog is whining because they need the bathroom or more food or water, then it is not something you should discourage.

Should you see that your dog is whining, but that there are no telltale signs of stress, pain or anxiety, check their water and food, and offer them the garden or a walk to use the bathroom. Failing that, ignore the whining. Offering them attention or reassurance will only encourage their whining

3. Train Your Bichon Frise

If your Bichon Frise is whining because they are experiencing separation anxiety, it is important to train this out of them. Otherwise, you are going to feel like you can never leave your home without your dog and this isn’t necessarily possible.

To start this process, make your leaving no big deal. No kisses and cuddles as you exit, and make sure that your return is no big deal either. Start leaving for small amounts of time, and slowly increase it as the dog becomes accustomed.

4. Entertain Your Dog

When a Bichon Frise is whining due to boredom, it is important to consider whether they are getting enough mental stimulation and exercise. If not, you should change your routine in order to implement both of these things. A Bichon Frise should get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day and should have plenty of enrichment activities at home.

To help reduce boredom, ensure that your dog does not have all of the same toys out all of the time. Swap it up a bit every now and then, and add in cool enrichment games for them to make sure that they are working their brain. Things like frozen Kongs or treats wrapped in a kitchen towel work wonders for small dogs!

If you need to buy some more toys, check my recommendations. For the best bichon frise treats, read this article.

Summary

Bichons Frises may seem like they whine a lot, but this is purely because they want you to know what is going on with them. Sometimes, their whining can be ignored, but in other situations, their whining will show you how to improve both your life and theirs.

However, for those with small children, noise sensitivities, or thin walls and neighbors, the Bichon Frise’s whining may be a reason to consider a different breed for your next furry friend!