Do you face with the chihuahua barking problems? Some chihuahua behavior problems, such as house soiling, affect only a dog’s owners. However, problems such as escaping and excessive chihuahua barking can result in neighborhood disputes and violations of animal control ordinances. Therefore, barking chihuahua can become “people problems.”
If your chihuahua’s barking has created neighborhood tension, it might be a good idea to discuss the problem with your neighbors. It’s perfectly normal and reasonable for dogs to bark from time to time, just as children make noise when they play outside. However, continual barking for long periods of time is a sign that your dog has a problem that needs to be addressed.
The first thing you need to do is determine when and for how long your dog barks, and what’s causing him to bark.
1. Social Isolation/Frustration/Attention-Seeking
Your chihuahua may be barking because he’s bored and lonely if:
- He’s left alone for long periods of time without opportunities for interaction with you.
- His environment is relatively barren, without playmates or toys.
- He’s a puppy or adolescent (under three years old) and doesn’t have other outlets for his energy.
- He’s a particularly active type of dog (like the herding or sporting breeds) who needs a “job” to be happy.
Recommendations:
Expand your dog’s world and increase his “people time” in the following ways:
- Walk your dog daily – it’s good exercise, both mental and physical.
- Teach your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and practice with him as often as possible.
- Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks and practice them every day for five to ten minutes.
- Take an obedience class with your dog.
- Provide interesting toys to keep your dog busy when you’re not home
- If your dog is barking to get your attention, make sure he has sufficient time with you on a daily basis (petting, grooming, playing, exercising) so he doesn’t have to resort to misbehaving to get your attention.
- Keep your dog inside when you’re unable to supervise him.
- Let your neighbors know that you’re actively working on the problem.
- Take your dog to work with you every now and then, if possible.
- When you have to leave your dog for extended periods of time, take him to a “doggie day care” or have a friend or neighbor walk and/or play with him.
2. Territorial/Protective Behavior – This is typical especially for Chihuahuas
Your dog may be barking to guard his territory if:
- The barking occurs in the presence of “intruders,” which may include the mail carrier, children walking to school and other dogs or neighbors in adjacent yards.
- Your dog’s posture while he’s barking appears threatening — tail held high and ears up and forward.
- You’ve encouraged your dog to be responsive to people and noises outside.
Recommendations:
- Teach your chihuahua a “quiet” command.
- Desensitize your dog to the stimulus that triggers the barking. Teach him that the people he views as intruders are actually friends and that good things happen to him when these people are around.
- If your dog barks while inside the house when you’re home, call him to you, have him obey a command, such as “sit” or “down,” and reward him with praise and a treat.
- Don’t inadvertently encourage this type of barking by enticing your dog to bark at things he hears or sees outside.
- Have your dog neutered (or spayed if your dog is a female) to decrease territorial behavior.
Chihuahua barking or other behavioral problems are very common. If you want to know more about how to teach your chihuahua not only the quiet commands I can recommend you the dog training to stop your chihuahua behavioral problems.
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