Saturday, October 15, 2011

Why Do Chihuahuas Bark and How to Help Prevent or Control Excessive Barking


Dogs of all breeds usually bark to try to communicate with humans and other animals. It is important for your Chihuahua to understand when to bark and when to be quiet. It is common for dogs to bark for a variety of reasons. It's their way of expressing themselves. 

Here are some common reasons why dogs bark listed below.

To Get Attention:
They may begin this process as young puppies with a little crying or whining sound to communicate with their mom and family litter. Puppies or grown dogs may whine when they want something like food, or when they scared, or even when they are frustrated or lonely and want some attention. It is common for a new Chihuahua puppy to whine at night because they may be lonely.
Dog owners may not realize it, but they may actually reward the puppy for whining by giving the puppy the attention he wants. It may be beneficial not to reward a puppy or grown dog that may be whining just for attention, but when he is quiet and relaxed you may wish to reward him with nice praise or a favorite treat. You will want to reinforce the puppy's positive behavior. It is usually so much easier to teach your Chihuahua puppy appropriate behavior from the start, than changing undesirable behavior later on.

Keeping in mind the fact that dogs sometime bark because they are scared, you may want to think about socialization and your puppy. Properly socializing the Chihuahua puppy is important to help alleviate unnecessary fears. You may want to safely introduce the puppy to situations that may cause anxiety later on. It is helpful for puppies to learn how to cope with their environment in a healthy and positive manner. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial.


You could gradually introduce your Chihuahua puppy to a variety of items and sounds that are routinely around the house, so they become a little familiar with them. Some sounds that may be new to your puppy are the following: doorbell ringing, telephone ringing, sound of the television or video games, music playing, and also the noise from a vacuum cleaner.


Barking from Playful Happiness or Happy Excitement:
Your puppy or grown dog may just be barking because he so happy about playing outside, or going for a nice walk, or going for a ride in a car. He may have a habit of routinely barking when he sees his favorite relatives or friends of the family coming over to visit at your house.

Barking when He Hears Other Dogs Bark:
Your Chihuahua may be barking to respond to other dogs he hears barking in the neighborhood.

Warning Bark:
It is common for dogs be protective and bark if they see a stranger approaching the house. Dogs often bark at mail carriers, joggers, or people riding bikes on the street by the house.

Bored Barkers:
Dogs who are bored need something constructive and positive to do besides barking. It is important to routinely provide enough appropriate exercise and attention for your dog each day.

Separation Anxiety:
You are probably the most important thing in your dog's life. When a Chihuahua that is routinely used to constant human companionship and attention is left alone, he can experience some anxiety about where his owner might be going. Your dog may not understand why he cannot go with you, and he may worry about whether or not you will be coming back home to be with him. Your Chihuahua may bark, whine, cry or howl when he is experiencing separation anxiety.

Here are a few ideas that may possibly help minor separation anxiety listed below.


Try not to be dramatic when you are leaving or returning to your home. When you return back home you can calmly pet your Chihuahua and reassure him.


When you have to leave your dog in the house, you may decide to let him have something of yours like a piece of clothing that smells like you.


You can make a reassuring habit of using a certain word or phrase that you routinely use every time you leave that tells your dog you will be coming back home.


Possibly, if the dog could hear the sound of a radio or television, it may be calming.


Sometimes having their safe and appropriate dog toys available for them will be a little distraction for them and help to keep them busy.

In summary, these are ideas to help prevent excessive barking listed below.

Try to have your Chihuahua get enough routine daily attention.

The dog should get adequate appropriate exercise.


Try the methods listed above for proper socialization and to help separation anxiety.


Try not to give positive reinforcement to the grown dog or puppy when he is only barking or whining just for attention. You can reward your Chihuahua for the quiet, relaxed behavior instead.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Learning How To Train A Chihuahua

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The first steps to learning how to train a chihuahua are to get a healthy dose of courage about you, lots of patience and a big bag of treats. Chihuahuas are very intelligent and inquisitive dogs by nature, so training them will provide the mental and physical stimulation they crave. However, because they are just as spirited as they are smart, they can easily manipulate the situation causing you to be the one being trained.

Chihuahuas respond to lots of positive reinforcement and praise. They are fiercely loyal to their fellow housemates and will do anything to make them happy and so we need to return this favor by constantly praising their good deeds. Treats help in that your chihuahua will quickly figure out that if there is something in it for her, she will do what is asked of her.

Books on how to train a chihuahua even note that training them to do their business outside is no small feat, so this is where learning their individual temperaments and behaviors is crucial. A chihuahua is only going to give you a small window of opportunity when she is trying to tell you she needs to go outside. She may run to the door and sit there for a moment or she may scratch your leg at which point it is up to you to figure out what she is asking for. High praise and a handful of treats will teach her it is more fun to go outside than in the house. However, they are small dogs with brittle bones and there are no treats in this world worth the warmth of her home so you need to stay on top of those subtle clues when there is inclement weather about.

Keep it fun, to the point, and never try and train them when you are tired, impatient or angry. This will only hasten disobedience which they are good at anyway. Chihuahuas are naturally inquisitive dogs and so learning new things is exciting to them and the attention they are receiving provides even more stimulation. But if they catch wind of the fact that they may be working, all bets are off and they will give up. A good thirty minute routine everyday is a good place to start.

There are several steps involved in how to train a chihuahua not to bark. The first of which may include understanding why she is barking. Chihuahuas are fiercely protective of their housemates and property causing them to perceive everything as a threat. They may be barking as a warning for the intruders to stay away and a good stern "No!" will suffice in this situation.

It is a futile attempt to yell at them while they are barking because the sudden loud noise may cause them to bark more. One of the best things about chihuahuas is that they do not bark just to be barking, there is always a reason for it. Diverting their attention to something else usually makes them stop and when other dogs in the neighborhood are barking, it is best to let them go outside to see what all the fuss is about and once they realize there is no emergency, they usually quiet down and high praise to that end will encourage them even more.

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