Why do Chihuahuas Bark so Much? (and what to do about it)

Have you just gotten yourself a Chihuahua? We’d like to congratulate you on a fine choice. But, now, you’re probably why a cute little thing like a Chihuahua makes so much noise its barks without seeming to tire.

If you’re wondering, “why do Chihuahuas bark so much?” you’re not alone. Several other Chihuahua owners have found themselves asking similar questions at some point.

Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place.

This post sheds some light on why cute tiny Chihuahuas bark so much. Also, we try to walk you through barking behaviors that are generally acceptable from your furry friend. Finally, we also explore some tips and tricks to help you teach your Chihuahua not to bark so much — whether they’re puppies or not.

That said, if you are considering getting a Chihuahua, want to know ‘Do Chihuahuas bark a lot?’. Well, they do. But, the good news is we can show you how to get them to turn down the volume.

So, let’s get into it!

The Chihuahua barking sound can quickly become irritating, especially if you get to hear it over a prolonged period. However, while it won’t reduce the frequency of their barks, understanding why Chihuahuas do bark so much may help you make peace with it.

So, while we don’t speak ‘dog,’ here are some of the top reasons experts believe Chihuahuas bark so much:

Chihuahuas are very energetic dogs. Therefore, when there isn’t enough activity during their day, they need to release that pent-up energy one way or the other. More often than not, they resort to barking.

Of course, hearing annoying Chihuahua barking every time can be quite a task. But, a simple trick that works is to take your dog for long walks or exercise them to help them get rid of their excess energy.

Despite their small size, Chihuahuas are fiercely protective and usually very territorial. Therefore, if they perceive anything or anyone as a threat or think someone is intruding on their personal space, they’ll likely respond in one way — high-pitched, mono-tone barking. 

Remember, sometimes, these perceived ‘threats’ could be your friends, neighbors, or other dogs. However, the threat may be real. So, you need to be able to read your dog’s mood.

Like all dogs, if your furry little Chihuahua wants your attention, you’d likely hear a lot of barking. However, while your dog lover instincts will tell you to respond to their needs immediately, you may be inadvertently encouraging their bad behavior. So, if your Chihuahua constantly barks for attention, you need to train them to know that barking won’t always get them what they want.

Of course, you should also learn to be sensitive to your dog's needs.

Other reasons Chihuahuas bark so much include:

- Chihuahuas back because they feel alone

- Chihuahuas back because they need your help

- Chihuahuas back because they are uncomfortable

- Chihuahuas back because they are experiencing separation anxiety

- Chihuahuas back because other members of their pack are barking

Now, here’s some good news. For the most part, you can train your Chihuahua not to bark so much, and we’ll walk you through how to do it. But, first, let’s talk a quick detour.

Do Chihuahuas bark all the time? The answer’s no. But, they do have a natural inclination to bark a whole lot. So, how do you determine where to draw the line between your furry friend’s natural barking habits and when they are being naughty?

First, you must accept that your Chihuahua will bark — usually way more than the average dog.

Sometimes, the reason for the signature will be appropriate, like when a stranger (such as the DHL employee) walks up to your front door. Other times, your dog may bark for no apparent reason. But, remember, they can see or hear stuff you cannot. So, this may not be a false alarm.

However, if your dog has begun barking every minute and making herself a nuisance, you’ll need to train your Chihuahua not to bark so much.

Not to worry, we’ll share some tips to help you.

Adult Chihuahuas can be more challenging to train as their bad barking habits have become deeply ingrained over time. Nonetheless, there are some sure-fire ways you can stop your Chihuahua from howling at the slightest provocation.

Here are some pro tips to help you:

If you think your Chihuahua barks to get your attention, then the best way to get them to stop is to ignore them. Do not give your Chihuahua any attention or response until it stops barking. Then, when he finally stops (even if it’s only for a few seconds), look at him and praise him so that he understands that silence is the best way to gain your attention.

Shouting will not train your Chihuahua not to bark. Instead, it may encourage the dog to bark even loud (or for longer). Why?

When you shout, your dog thinks you’re joining and wants to keep it going. Another outcome is that your Chihuahua will hear the frustration in your voice and bark out of frustration at itself. Either way, remaining calm is essential to getting your Chihuahua to stop barking.

Ironically, despite their small sizes, Chihuahuas have a dominating streak to them. Due to this, your Chihuahua will likely feel likes she’s the alpha in your house. At this point, you must show your Chihuahua who’s the boss.

Do not let them climb the furniture if you think they’re being too aggressive. Also, Chihuahuas show domination by jumping on you. So, keep them off you to put them in their place.

If you’re reading this post, you likely have a Chihuahua puppy, or perhaps you’re considering getting one. Either way, you now know the answer to the question, ‘why do Chihuahuas bark so much?’. Now, let us examine how to teach your Chihuahua good barking habits:

While this may seem counterproductive, training your Chihuahua to respond to the speak command can set you on the right part to teaching them when not to speak (or bark). In other words, your dog starts learning to control its barking. Of course, the ultimate goal here is to translate these teachings into the quiet command.

Here’s how to teach your Chihuahua the speak command:

- Tell your dog to ‘speak’ and then immediately create a stimulus that usually causes them to bark

- If she barks, reward her with some treat and affection

- Repeat the process until your dog barks on command

Once your Chihuahua has mastered the speak command, the next step is to teach him to respond to the quiet order. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to doing this:

Use the speak command to get your Chihuahua to bark

- While he’s barking, put a treat in front of him

- If he stops barking, reward him with the treat and praise him

- Repeat the process until your Chihuahua stops barking on command

Remember, your Chihuahua has a lot of energy to release. Therefore, don’t assume they don’t require regular exercise because of their small size. By physically stimulating your dog, they release built-up energy and become less likely to bark at every opportunity.

For exercise durations, a good rule of thumb is at least 30 minutes per day.

Experts have discovered that positive reinforcement is more effective than punishment for correcting behavioral problems such as excessive barking. Punishments may only encourage bad barking habits as you’d be giving your chihuahua the attention he wants. Instead, reward your Chihuahua with treats, praise, and affection when he behaves appropriately and doesn’t bark so much.

Finally, consistency is critical when training your Chihuahua not to bark excessively. For example, if you reward your barking Chihuahua with treats every time he obeys the quiet command, make sure he gets a treat each time he does. Otherwise, you may confuse him and skew your training results.

Here’s a list of don’ts that can negatively impact the results you get when training your Chihuahua to control his excessive barking:

- Never reward inappropriate barking of your Chihuahua

- Do not use a muzzle to control excessive barking as this does not address the problem

- Never use a shock collar on your Chihuahua. Not only can this hurt them, but it also does not address the problem.

- Do not use a spray collar on your Chihuahua

- Punishments are never a good idea for correcting your Chihuahua

Like all dogs, barking is the Chihuahua’s primary mode of communication. However, having to hear annoying Chihuahua barking for long periods can quickly become tiring. Thankfully, you’ve now gained insight into how to discourage excessive barking in your little canine friends.

We hope this article has answered your questions on why Chihuahuas bark so much and helps you along the way to a more enjoyable companionship with your furry pets.

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