Why does my dog cry and run around with a toy in his mouth?

It is possible that your puppy is just excited while playing with his toys, and so makes happy or whiny sounds. Some dogs and puppies will "play growl" as they play tug of war or other games and just do it due to excitement. This is a very normal behavior unless you are seeing signs of stress or pain during the play session. If you'd like your puppy to whine less when trying to get to a toy, you can try an activity of having him sit and wait, and then give the toy once he is calm. (This may take a few minutes for very excited puppies!) This will help to teach him that sitting and being calm will get him toys, while being too excited will not.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Not necessarily. Your primary care veterinarian would be an excellent source as they are likely very familiar with dental conditions. Having said that, if he is whining from pain, this is likely due to his maturing teeth. You can try using teething toys which help them when their teeth feel uncomfortable. You may find this online or at your local pet store. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These types of behaviors can improve though this does require in person training with the help of a qualified dog trainer. I would encourage you to contact a dog trainer that can work with you and Smidgen in person to really take care of this behavior. The sooner these behaviors are dealt with, the more likely it is that you can improve and resolve them. Good luck and have a good night!

Whining is an attention seeking behavior and can be a sign of anxiety, pain or potentially boredom. The shaking can also be a sign of pain or anxiety. If you think he might be in pain you should see a veterinarian to see if they can localize the pain to a specific area. If you think he may be anxious it could help to try to identify what might be triggering the anxiety - some dogs have storm or noise phobias, or he might be anxious about a change in routine or environment.

Puppies will bark or whine due to hunger, fear, boredom, pain, infection, if too cold/hot or if they have to go outside. Check to make sure he or she is not experiencing any of the above. If the behavior persists or worsens, consider an exam with your veterinarian.

Crying out could be an indication of anxiety or pain in your dog. This may just be a behavioral issue and your pup cries out to get you attention. If these episodes are consistent and increase in frequency then I would recommend having your puppy checked out to make sure there is nothing causing him pain or discomfort. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck!

If your dog is whining or "digging" at bedding, it may be that she is attempting to nest with her favorite toys. Dogs that are unspayed may be showing signs at the beginning of a heat cycle (displaying nesting behavior to get things ready for puppies), however spayed dogs may also have this behavior just as a comforting factor. Digging helps create a nice soft bed, and bringing a toy means having something to cuddle! It may also be that your dog is feeling a little distressed or bored, especially if the behavior happens when you are doing something else (such as focused on another task, or out of the home). If this is the case, providing a nice place for your dog to rest (such as a big bed or a kennel) may help. Providing toys that also distract such as ones filled with treats or puzzles can also help with anxiety. Leaving behind a shirt or object that smells like you in the bed may also help to comfort your dog if she is anxious. If you are concerned about your dog's behavior and do not think it is related to anxiety or normal doggie behavior, it is always a good idea to make an appointment with your local vet. Your vet can perform a complete examination and rule out any signs of illness or pain to make sure everything is OK.