I respectfully disagree with this suggesiton. Speaking to a dog in a soothing voice when he's doing something you don't want him to do will send him the wrong message. I'd work on teaching him "quite" instead, and I wouldn't be saying it in a soothing tone! George used to wake me up at EXACTLY 4:30 AM every day. Once I figured out it wasn't an emergency need to go out, I got firm with him. I start with one "Quiet!" and if that doesn't work, the voice of God comes out, and it's "KNOCK IT OFF!"
Suppose it's not 4:30 in the morning; suppose it's during the day and he's trying to communicate with you. Would you still start with "Quiet!," and if he didn't obey, then unleash the voice of God on him? Suppose he whines when he has to go out? Suppose he whines when he's uncomfortable? Suppose he whines when he's injured, or has a tooth ache, or is sick? Same treatment? Just curious whether the rules apply in all contexts.
Granted, if he's a PITA at 4:30 a.m. every morning for no good reason, I can't blame you for being stern with him.
No disrespect to you either, Dick but I believe Susan made it really clear that she made sure her pup was ok before she sounded stern. I think that's a give in.
To the OP, I hope you get to the bottom of this fast! Beau, our first used to wake us with playing with his taking stuffies. Now... we almost have to overturn his bed to get him up and out!!!